Description
These potato-and-grater cupcakes are a very sweet, very relevant addition to any latke-making Hanukkah party. Here’s how to make and assemble them.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- One batch of cooled, iced cupcakes
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 2 1/2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Other supplies
- Miniature graters
- White acrylic paint (optional; if you do end up painting the graters, you’ll also need a paint palette or vessel in which to hold said paint!)
- Small craft paintbrush (optional)
- A few yards of thin ribbon in a color of your choice, if desired
- Scissors (for ribbon)
Instructions
- Make the “potatoes”: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set out a small bowl and fill it with the ground cinnamon (for later). In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes on medium-high speed); then, scrape down the sides and add in the vanilla and salt; mix again on medium speed until incorporated. Scrape down the sides once more, then add in the powdered sugar and re-beat until incorporated (because the sugar has a tendency to billow into a cloud, you’ll want to start on a very low speed this time and work your way up, and/or incorporate it bit by bit). Add the coconut and stir on low speed once more to combine.
- Scoop teaspoon-sized portions of the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet (note that this yields much smaller versions than that of a traditional “potato candy” recipe, but it’s an appropriate size in relation to the cupcakes and mini graters). Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Using your hands, roll each of the now-chilled coconut blobs into potato-like shapes, then roll them in cinnamon until they’re fully covered and look like potatoes. Set aside until ready to assemble.
- Make the graters: This is optional, but you can quickly paint the tops of each grater to match your color’s party scheme, as I did. Paint a very thin layer of white acrylic paint along the handle, then wait at least five minutes before applying a second, equally thin coat; let dry for at least 20-30 minutes before adding on a small length of ribbon and tying with a bow, as pictured (also optional but fun!).
- Assemble the cupcakes: Carefully press one “potato” and one grater into the tops of each cupcake. Serve or enjoy within one day (the “potatoes” will need to be refrigerated—they’ll keep for up to four days in the fridge—so if you plan on making this in advance, either make those last or keep them in the fridge until ready to assemble).
Notes
The “potatoes” will need to be refrigerated (they’ll keep for up to four days in the fridge), so if you plan on making this in advance, either make those last or keep them in the fridge until ready to assemble; then, enjoy the assembled cupcakes within one day.