Tools and Materials:

• Yellow, blue and white fondant
• Mini star fondant or cookie cutters
• Butter cream frosting
• Icing knife

Ingredients for the Cupcakes:

• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 11 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. sugar
• 3 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Ingredients for the Frosting:

• 6 cups confectioners sugar
• 2 sticks of butter
• 4-5 tbsp. milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• Food coloring

Directions:

1. Preheat an oven to 350°F.
2. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper or foil liners
3. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt
4. Place the chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl and set over but not touching simmering water in a saucepan; stir frequently until melted and smooth (about 5 minutes)
5. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and let the chocolate mixture cool to room temperature (10-15 minutes)
6. Using a wooden spoon, stir the sugar into the chocolate mixture until combined. Stir in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the vanilla
7. Gently fold in the flour mixture until no traces of flour remain; do not over mix
8. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full
9. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached (22-24 minutes)
10. Move the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes
11. Transfer the cupcakes to the rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour
12. While they cool, make the frosting:
13. Have all ingredients at room temperature
14. Combine sugar, butter, 4 tbsp. milk, vanilla and salt. Mix with an electric mixer until combined.
15. Scrape down the sides and beat until fluffy (about 3 minutes)
16. If frosting is dry, add more milk
17. Divide into 3 bowls and tint with food coloring
18. Frost cupcakes with icing knife, leaving a thick, flat layer of frosting
19. Roll out fondant and cut star out of each color
20. Sprinkle stars on cupcakes