Christmas Cupcakes

Its Christmas time in the city!  Houses are all lit with pretty Christmas lights, everyone is drinking hot chocolate, what better time to make some Christmas cupcakes.  My friend asked me to make some cupcakes for her with three different flavors. I decided to have some fun with it and make really cute Xmas decorations.

• Pistachio (Madagascar) vanilla bean with pistachio buttercream: fondant candy canes and gingerbread man
• Red velvet with white chocolate cream cheese: Xmas tree made out of the frosting topped with jujube star
• Pumpkin spice with maple cream cheese: Xmas sprinkles with Walkers shortbread Christmas cookies

All of these cupcakes were made with European butter. I really do find a difference using European butter vs regular butter. It makes the cupcake more creamy and velvet-y.  Which makes it more yummy!