Save to Pinterest Fun, festive mini desserts decorated to look like countdown clocks—perfect for New Years Eve or any celebration where you want to ring in the moment with something sweet and playful.
I first served these countdown clock mini desserts at a New Years Eve party and they were a huge hit with everyone.
Ingredients
- Mini Cakes: 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 1/4 cup (60 ml) unsalted butter softened, 1/3 cup (80 ml) whole milk, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt
- Buttercream Frosting: 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter softened, 1 1/2 cups (180 g) powdered sugar, 2 tbsp (30 ml) milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, Gel food coloring (black, gold, silver, yellow as desired)
- Decorations: Edible gold or silver pearls, Mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel (for clock hands/numbers), Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla mix until combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour baking powder and salt.
- Combine Mixtures:
- Add half the dry ingredients to the wet mixture then the milk then the remaining dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fill Muffin Cups:
- Divide the batter evenly among the mini muffin cups filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Frosting:
- For the frosting beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar mixing well. Add milk and vanilla beat until fluffy.
- Tint Frosting:
- Divide the frosting into small bowls and tint with gel food coloring as desired (e.g. some black for clock faces some yellow/gold for accents).
- Frost Cakes:
- Once cakes are cool frost each mini cake with a smooth layer of colored buttercream.
- Decorate:
- Use decorating gel chocolate chips or colored frosting to draw clock faces numbers and clock hands pointing to midnight. Decorate with edible pearls and sprinkles.
- Serve:
- Arrange on a platter and serve!
Save to Pinterest This dessert always brings smiles when I share it with my family during holidays.
Required Tools
Mini muffin tin, Mixing bowls, Electric mixer or whisk, Spatula, Piping bags or small offset spatula, Food-safe paintbrush (optional for details)
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (dairy). Check decorations and food coloring for additional allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 180, Total Fat: 8 g, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Protein: 2 g per serving.
Save to Pinterest These mini desserts are a fun and festive way to celebrate any special occasion with a sweet touch.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What ingredients create the clock effect on the mini cakes?
Colored buttercream frosting tinted with gel food colors combined with chocolate chips or decorating gel form the clock faces and hands.
- → Can I prepare these desserts in advance?
Yes, the mini cakes can be baked ahead and decorated shortly before serving for best freshness.
- → Are there variations to the basic cake batter?
You can add lemon zest or cocoa powder to the batter for subtle flavor twists.
- → What tools help achieve the detailed clock decorations?
Using piping bags or small offset spatulas helps apply precise frosting, while food-safe paintbrushes can add fine details.
- → How do edible pearls enhance the presentation?
Gold or silver edible pearls add a festive shimmer that complements the colorful clock designs.