Fluffy Champagne Cupcakes

If you get invited to a New Year’s Eve party and are asked to bring something sweet, these are amazing! You can use any flavored sparkling wine out there for this recipe.

INGREDIENTS: 

box vanilla cake mix

1¾ cup of sparkling wine or champagne divided

2 sticks of butter

4 cups powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

Gold sanding sugar, for garnish

COOKING MUSIC SELECTION:  Lloyd Mumm and his Starlight Roof Orchestra - Champagne music for dancing (1959)

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two cupcake pans with cupcake liners. In a large bowl, mix cake mix with 1½ cups champagne. Bake according to package directions and let cool completely before frosting.

Meanwhile, make champagne frosting: In a large bowl, combine butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and remaining ¼ cup champagne. Using a hand mixer, beat until smooth. Add the remaining 2 cups powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.

Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes and garnish with gold sanding sugar.