Tre Stelle© Ricotta & Mascarpone Snowmen Cupcakes
A simple boxed cake mix made decadent with creamy Ricotta cheese. What better way to get into the holiday spirit with these cute snowmen cupcakes?
Prep Time:15 minutes Ready In:
1 + hour Serves:
18
Ingredients:
RICOTTA CUPCAKE:1 475g tub Tre Stelle® Extra Smooth RicottaCheese, drained well1 package white or vanilla cake mix1/4 cup whipping cream1/2 cup canola oil4 eggs1 tsp vanilla extract18 cupcake baking cupsDecorations:1 recipe of Tre Stelle Mascarpone Frosting18 large marshmallows18 chocolate coins for hat18 mini caramel or peanut butter cups for top of hat36 pretzel sticks or melting chocolate,made into branches for arms18 small noses made from orange fondant, or orangejelly candies cut into small strips54 mini chocolate chips for buttonsEdible black marker for eyes and mouthMASCARPONE FROSTING:1-275g tub Tre Stelle® Mascarpone1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature1 tsp vanilla extract (we used clear vanilla extract to keep the frosting pure white)Pinch salt3 cups confectioners' sugar
Instructions:
RICOTTA SNOWMAN CUPCAKE INSTRUCTIONS: Line your cupcake pan with baking cups, set aside. Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC). In a large mixing bowl, add Ricotta, cake mix, vanilla and cream, blend until combined; add oil and eggs, one at a time and carefully blend until mixed through. Fill the prepared cupcake liners 3/4 full with batter, and bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean approximately 30 minutes. Cool cupcakes in pan for about 10 minutes before removing them to finish cooling on a rack. Decorations: Draw eyes and mouth on marshmallows, place caramel/peanut butter on top of chocolate coins - secure with a little frosting and place on top of marshmallow for hat. Using a little frosting, stick fondant nose in place on marshmallow face. Generously frost each cupcake with Mascarpone frosting, top with snowman head; place 3 mini chocolate chips on body and stick in pretzels for arms. Refrigerate before serving.MASCARPONE FROSTING INSTRUCTIONS: In a large bowl, beat the butter with the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and a pinch of salt until smooth. Add the Mascarpone and continue to beat, just until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
