Save Fun, festive mini desserts decorated to look like countdown clocks—perfect for New Years Eve or any celebration where you want to ring in the moment with something sweet and playful.
I love making these mini desserts because they bring joy to every party and are fun to decorate.
Ingredients
- For the Mini Cakes: 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsalted butter softened, 1/3 cup (80 ml) whole milk, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt
- For the Buttercream Frosting: 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter softened, 1 1/2 cups (180 g) powdered sugar, 2 tbsp (30 ml) milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, Gel food coloring (black gold silver yellow as desired)
- Decorations: Edible gold or silver pearls, Mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel (for clock hands/numbers), Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease
- Cream butter and sugar:
- In a mixing bowl cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy Add the egg and vanilla mix until combined
- Mix dry ingredients:
- In a separate bowl whisk together flour baking powder and salt
- Combine mixtures:
- Add half the dry ingredients to the wet mixture then the milk then the remaining dry ingredients Mix until just combined
- Fill muffin cups:
- Divide the batter evenly among the mini muffin cups filling each about 2/3 full
- Bake:
- Bake for 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean Let cool completely on a wire rack
- Make frosting:
- Beat the softened butter until creamy Gradually add powdered sugar mixing well Add milk and vanilla beat until fluffy
- Color frosting:
- Divide the frosting into small bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired (e.g. some black for clock faces some yellow/gold for accents)
- Frost cakes:
- Once cakes are cool frost each mini cake with a smooth layer of colored buttercream
- Decorate:
- Use decorating gel chocolate chips or colored frosting to draw clock faces numbers and clock hands pointing to midnight Decorate with edible pearls and sprinkles
- Serve:
- Arrange on a platter and serve
Save These desserts always bring smiles to my family gatherings and start our celebrations on a sweet note.
Required Tools
Mini muffin tin Mixing bowls Electric mixer or whisk Spatula Piping bags or small offset spatula Food-safe paintbrush (optional for details)
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (gluten) eggs milk (dairy) Check decorations and food coloring for additional allergens
Nutritional Information
Calories 180 Total Fat 8 g Carbohydrates 25 g Protein 2 g per serving
Save These mini countdown desserts add a festive touch to any celebration and are a delightful treat to share.
Recipe FAQ
- → What ingredients create the mini cakes?
The mini cakes are made with all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, butter, milk, egg, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt for a tender crumb.
- → How is the buttercream frosting prepared?
Softened butter is creamed with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, then tinted with gel food coloring to decorate the mini cakes.
- → What decorations make the countdown clock effect?
Chocolate chips, decorating gel, edible pearls, and sprinkles are used to create clock faces, numbers, and hands pointing to midnight.
- → Can I save time on baking?
You can use store-bought mini cupcakes and decorate them as described for quicker preparation.
- → Are there flavor variations suggested?
Adding lemon zest or cocoa powder to the batter offers refreshing or rich variations to the classic mini cakes.