Yield & Timing
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Yield: ~ 12–24 cupcakes, depending on batch size (see note) Pillsbury Baking+2Baked Bree+2
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Prep Time: ~ 15–25 minutes (plus cooling) arkansasgirls.com+1
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Bake Time: ~ 18–22 minutes (for standard cupcakes) Baked Bree+1
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Total Time: ~ 40–50 minutes (including baking + decoration)
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes (basic vanilla or chocolate — your choice)
You can use a boxed mix, or your own favorite recipe. Here’s a basic version for ~12 cupcakes:
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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½ – ¾ cup cocoa powder (for chocolate cupcakes) OR omit for vanilla version
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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¼ teaspoon salt
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2 large eggs
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½ cup milk (or buttermilk)
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½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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½ cup water (or hot coffee for deeper chocolate flavor — optional)
Or: Use 1 standard cake–mix + ingredients per package instructions for convenience (water/oil/eggs) — that works great too. Pillsbury Baking+1
For the Frosting & Decoration
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Vanilla (or plain) buttercream frosting — homemade or store‑bought white frosting works well. Messy Momma Crafts+1
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Black decorating gel or black icing (to draw the “wires” of the light string) A Classic Twist+1
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1–1.5 cups M&Ms (regular or mini, in assorted colors) — these will be your “lights” Baked Bree+1
