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Perfect Broken Glass Cupcakes Recipe with Jewel-Toned Candy Shards

broken glass cupcakes - featured image
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These cupcakes feature soft, tender cake topped with crunchy, colorful jewel-toned candy shards, creating a stunning and delicious treat perfect for parties and special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk (or dairy-free milk like oat)
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar (for candy shards)
  • 2/3 cup (160ml) light corn syrup
  • ½ cup (120ml) water
  • Assorted gel food coloring gels (ruby red, sapphire blue, emerald green, amethyst purple)
  • Optional: edible glitter
  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 3–4 cups (360–480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30–45ml) heavy cream (or dairy-free cream alternative)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy and pale, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. Spoon batter evenly into liners, filling about 2/3 full.
  7. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.
  8. For candy shards, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a small saucepan. Attach candy thermometer and cook over medium heat without stirring until mixture reaches 300°F (149°C).
  9. Remove from heat, stir in gel food coloring drops to create jewel tones, and pour thin layers onto parchment-lined baking sheet. Let cool completely until hard, about 30 minutes.
  10. Break hardened candy into irregular shards carefully.
  11. For frosting, beat softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until fluffy and spreadable.
  12. Frost cooled cupcakes generously.
  13. Decorate each cupcake by pressing candy shards into the frosting for a broken glass effect.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for candy shards to prevent seizing or cloudiness. Avoid overmixing cupcake batter to keep cupcakes tender. Use a candy thermometer for perfect shards. Store candy shards in an airtight container at room temperature to prevent stickiness. For gluten-free cupcakes, substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Frost cupcakes only after they have fully cooled to prevent melting.

Nutrition

Keywords: broken glass cupcakes, candy shards, jewel-toned cupcakes, party cupcakes, colorful candy topping, easy cupcake recipe

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/perfect-broken-glass-cupcakes-recipe-with-jewel-toned-candy-shards-easy-tutorial/