Go Back

Galaxy Cupcakes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

For the cupcakes:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup hot coffee or hot water

For the galaxy frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 –3 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring: black navy, purple, teal
  • Edible silver stars or glitter

Instructions
 

  • 1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with black or silver cupcake liners.
  • 2️⃣ In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • 3️⃣ In a large bowl, whisk oil and sugar until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, then mix in buttermilk and vanilla.
  • 4️⃣ Add dry ingredients to wet and mix just until combined. Pour in hot coffee and stir — batter will be thin.
  • 5️⃣ Divide batter into liners and bake 18–20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
  • 6️⃣ For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until fluffy.
  • 7️⃣ Divide frosting into 3–4 bowls and tint each with navy, purple, teal, and a touch of black. Spoon dollops of each color randomly into a piping bag fitted with a star tip, then pipe onto cupcakes to create a galaxy swirl.
  • 8️⃣ Sprinkle with edible silver glitter or star sprinkles.

Notes

  • Don’t worry about perfect swirls — random is good here!
  • If you don’t have buttermilk, add ½ tsp vinegar to regular milk and let it sit 5 minutes.