# What You Need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2 tablespoons milk
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Fondant Graduation Caps
14 - 4 ounces black fondant
15 - 2 ounces yellow fondant or yellow licorice strings
16 - 1 tablespoon water
# How to Make It:
01 - Set oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Alternately add dry ingredients and whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until batter is just combined, avoiding overmixing.
05 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center exits clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
06 - Beat softened butter in a mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until frosting is smooth and fluffy.
07 - Pipe or spread buttercream evenly onto cooled cupcakes using a piping bag or spatula.
08 - Roll black fondant out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut twelve small squares, approximately 1 inch wide, for cap tops. Roll and flatten small balls for cap bases. Attach squares to bases with a dab of water.
09 - Roll thin ropes of yellow fondant or use yellow licorice strings to create tassels. Secure tassels to the center of each cap with a touch of water.
10 - Place completed fondant graduation caps gently atop each frosted cupcake.
