# What You’ll Need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2 tablespoons milk
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Fondant Graduation Caps
14 - 4 ounces black fondant
15 - 2 ounces yellow fondant or yellow licorice strings (for tassels)
16 - 1 tablespoon water (for sticking fondant pieces)
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
03 - Using an electric mixer, beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Incorporate vanilla extract.
04 - Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
05 - Divide the batter evenly among lined cups. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Cool cupcakes thoroughly on a wire rack.
06 - Beat softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually incorporate sifted powdered sugar, followed by milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat mixture until light, smooth, and fluffy.
07 - Pipe or spread buttercream atop cooled cupcakes, creating a smooth layer.
08 - Roll out black fondant to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut 12 squares, each approximately 1 inch wide, for the cap tops. Shape small balls for cap bases. Affix squares to bases with a dab of water.
09 - Roll thin ropes of yellow fondant or use yellow licorice strings for tassels. Attach a tassel to the center of each cap using water.
10 - Place completed fondant graduation caps gently on top of each frosted cupcake.
