24 karat gold cupcakes are made with a moist gold cake topped with shimmering gold buttercream frosting.
These delicious golden cupcakes make for an elegant dessert for a wedding, New Year’s Eve party, or as the perfect carrier for an engagement ring surprise. These cupcakes are truly romantic.
I am so proud of how these cupcakes turned out. The cake and buttercream frosting aren't just yellow, they have a wonderful golden glow.
Gold Cupcake Uses
New Year’s Eve
Ring in the new year with fancy gold cupcakes at your next rockin’ holiday party.
Proposal
I love original and elaborate proposals. I could watch those videos for hours on end. This was also the inspiration behind my 24k golden cupcakes for engagement.
Picture this: instead of the traditional Tiffany engagement ring box from the jeweler, use a taller Tiffany blue cupcake-size box. When you open it, you see a beautifully golden cupcake with a sparkling diamond ring at the center of the icing.
If you’re looking for marriage proposal ideas at home this is also great because the cupcakes are homemade. If that doesn't make a girl say yes, I don't know what will.
Engagement or Bridal Shower
After the proposal, we celebrate the engagement. The cupcakes look fantastic stacked tall on a crystal centerpiece at the engagement party or bridal shower.
You don't even have to wait for the actual party to serve these. Take this as inspiration for DIY bridesmaid proposal ideas and surprise your dearest girlfriend to be with you on your special day.
50th Wedding Anniversary
The 50th anniversary is called the Golden Anniversary and can be celebrated with these delicious golden cupcakes.
Golden Birthday Cupcakes
What's a golden birthday, you might ask? It is not your 50th, it is the day that you turn the same age as your birth date. For example, someone born on May 7th has their golden birthday when they turn 7.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion and one that deserves an extra special celebration. You can find many golden birthday ideas online but you already know my favorite…
Check out my cupcake baking guide that answers all of your questions about baking, ingredient substitutes, and decorating the perfect cupcakes!
24 Karat Gold Cupcake Ingredients
- Butter
- Sugar
- Large Eggs
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Gold Food Coloring or Icing Gel
Gold Frosting Ingredients
- Butter
- Confectioners’ Sugar
- Heavy Cream
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of Salt
- Gold Icing Gel
- Edible Gold Glitter/Flakes
How to Make Gold Cupcakes
Gold Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line muffin pans with 24 gold cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add eggs and vanilla. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together. Slowly add flour, alternating with milk. Add sour cream and food coloring and blend well.
- Add 3 tablespoons of cupcake batter to each cupcake liner. Bake for 20-23 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
Gold Frosting
- In a saucepan, melt butter. Allow to simmer for approximately 8 minutes until it is golden brown.
- Pour through a wire mesh to remove any brown sediment from the butter. Allow to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, add heavy cream, melted butter, and vanilla. Slowly add confectioners’ sugar until well blended.
- If too dry, add 1 tablespoon of heavy cream at a time until reaching desired consistency.
- Add 2-3 drops of gold coloring. Frost cupcakes once they are completely cooled.
Gold Cupcake Toppings Ideas
To keep it looking elegant, I kept it simple and sprinkled some edible golden dust over the buttercream frosting.
Here are some ideas to elevate your cupcakes:
- Gold Pearl-Shape Sprinkles
- Edible Gold Glitter
- Gold 50th Number Cupcake Toppers
- White Chocolate Curls
- Gold Leaf
- White, Gold, or Pink Roses
- Gold Stars
- Edible or Plastic Diamond Rings (The ones I used are actually plastic diamond ring party favors.)
- Gold Glitter Wedding Monogram Cupcake Topper
You can create your very own showstopper 24 karat cupcake that every single one of your guests will talk about afterward. I hope it inspires you for your special day.
Recommended Cupcakes
- Caramel Cookies with Chocolate Icing
- Caramel Cupcakes
- Champagne Cupcakes
- Ruby Slipper Cupcakes
- The Best Red Velvet Cupcakes
24 Karat Gold Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
Gold Cupcakes
- ½ cup Butter room temperature
- 1 ½ cups White Granulated Sugar
- 3 Large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 2 ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
- 3 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1 cup Milk
- ¼ cup Sour Cream
- 2-3 drops Gold Food Coloring or Icing Gel both work in cupcake batter
Gold Frosting
- 12 tablespoons Butter room temperature
- 1 pound Confectioners' Sugar
- ½ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of Salt
- 2-3 drops Icing Gel
- Edible Gold Glitter or Flakes
Instructions
Gold Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line muffin pans with 24 gold cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add eggs and vanilla. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together. Slowly add flour, alternating with milk. Add sour cream and food coloring and blend well.
- Add 3 tablespoons of cupcake batter to each cupcake liner. Bake for 20-23 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
Gold Frosting
- In a saucepan, melt butter. Allow to simmer for approximately 8 minutes until it is golden brown. Pour through a wire mesh to remove any brown sediment from the butter. Allow to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, add heavy cream, melted butter, and vanilla. Slowly add confectioners' sugar until well blended. If too dry, add 1 tablespoon of heavy cream at a time until reaching desired consistency. Add 2-3 drops of gold coloring. Frost cupcakes once they are completely cooled.
Leave a Reply