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–+ servings
green tractor shaped themed cupcakes

John Deere Cupcakes

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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Resting Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 28 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 cupcakes

Equipment

  • 1 standard 12-cup muffin tin
  • 12 paper cupcake liners
  • 2 medium mixing bowls
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 electric hand mixer or stand mixer
  • 1 Rubber spatula
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Measuring cups set
  • 1 Measuring spoons set
  • 1 wire cooling rack
  • 2 piping bags
  • 2 piping tips (1 large round, 1 grass or small star tip)
  • 1 small offset spatula or butter knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup whole milk room temperature
  • 1/4 cup sour cream room temperature
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened for frosting
  • 3 1/2 cup powdered sugar sifted
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt for frosting
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract for frosting
  • 1 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon green gel food coloring
  • 1/4 teaspoon yellow gel food coloring
  • 6 miniature toy John Deere-style tractors cleaned and dried
  • 2 tablespoon chocolate sprinkles optional for “dirt”
  • 6 chocolate sandwich cookies crushed optional for “soil”

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the muffin tin with 12 paper cupcake liners.
  • In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  • In a large bowl beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter and beat until the mixture is light and slightly fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the milk and sour cream until smooth.
  • Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low just until combined.
  • Pour in the milk–sour cream mixture and mix on low until incorporated.
  • Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix on low until just combined, then finish folding with a spatula to avoid overmixing.
  • Divide the batter evenly among the 12 liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
  • Bake the cupcakes for 16–18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and cool completely for at least 40 minutes before decorating.
  • While the cupcakes cool, make the frosting by beating the softened butter in a large bowl until pale and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, mixing on low after each addition until combined.
  • Add the salt, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of cream or milk, then beat on medium-high for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy, adding more cream if needed for a pipeable consistency.
  • Divide about one-third of the frosting into a separate bowl and color it yellow with gel food coloring, mixing until evenly tinted.
  • Color the remaining two-thirds of the frosting green with gel food coloring, adjusting the shade until it resembles bright John Deere green.
  • Fit one piping bag with a large round tip and fill it with the yellow frosting.
  • Fit the second piping bag with a grass tip or small star tip and fill it with the green frosting.
  • If using, sprinkle the tops of the cooled cupcakes lightly with crushed chocolate cookies or chocolate sprinkles to create a “dirt” base.
  • Pipe a yellow circle or “field” shape in the center or one side of each cupcake, leaving room around it for green “grass.”
  • Pipe green grass or star swirls around the yellow area to resemble a grassy field surrounding a farm.
  • Gently press a miniature tractor into the center of the yellow area of each cupcake so it looks like it is driving across the field.
  • Adjust any frosting around the tractor with a small offset spatula to secure it and tidy the design.

Notes

For best results, bake the cupcakes a day ahead so they are fully cooled and easier to decorate, and always start with room-temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and fluffier crumb; use gel food coloring instead of liquid to avoid thinning the frosting, chill the cupcakes briefly after decorating if transporting them to help set the design, and remove the small tractor toppers before serving to very young children, checking that all toys are clean and labeled food-safe or washable before placing them on the frosting.
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