Vanilla & Chocolate Swirl Cupcakes

by Lora Wiley-Lennartz
A housewarming party is called an Einweihungsparty party in Germany. A new neighbor was throwing one and I made these to bring. As the only American for miles around, I wanted to make something American. Chocolate chip cookies were briefly pondered but cupcakes prevailed. Cupcakes are gaining more popularity by the day here in Germany.

Even though my Alligator cupcakes were gobbled up in a half hour at my niece’s school party in May, I was cautious not to barge in on new neighbors carrying glittering, sparkling baked goods in shocking colors.
With the exclusion of my family who are used to me and my baking antics, anything too “too” generally scares off Germans or at least makes them suspicious. In the past, trays of my colorful cookies have been sniffed at and rejected by adults who couldn’t bring themselves to eat anything so colorful.  Being labeled as freaky bakey lady is probably not the best way to start a neighborly relationship.

There were sure to be a mix of adults and kids at the party so I went with basic vanilla and chocolate but tried to find a more visually creative way to present them. I did love the way the classic swirl came out. Like soft serve ice cream.
I added the polkadots to the frosting and mixed up the batters as it’s against my religion to just make a vanilla cupcake with a chocolate swirl.
Just. Can’t. Do. It.
Vanilla & Chocolate Swirl Cupcakes

For the Cupcakes:
Ingredients:
  • 3/4 cup self rising flour
  • 1 + 1/8 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1+1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder

Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Place paper liners in cupcake tins.
  • In a separate bowl whisk the flours together and set aside.
  • Beat the butter until fluffy.
  • Add sugar and beat for 3 minutes.
  • Add eggs one at a time incorporating each one thoroughly.
  • Add vanilla.
  • Alternating each, add the flour mixture and buttermilk until both are combined.
  • Pour half the batter into a piping bag.
  • Mix the cocoa powder into the other half of the batter and then load it into a piping bag.
  • Pipe the chocolate and vanilla batters into the liners by piping a bit at a time alternating the colors and layers.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven, wait 5 minutes and and transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Vanilla Buttercream:
Ingredients:
  • 1/2  stick butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/8 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
  • Place the butter and half the sugar in mixer and start beating on a slow speed.
  • Add half the milk and then the rest of the sugar until combined.
  • Bump the mixer up to a higher speed and mix in the vanilla and the rest of the milk.
For the Chocolate Buttercream:
Ingredients:
  • 1/2  stick butter
  • 1+3/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/8 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
Directions:
  • Place the butter and half the sugar in mixer and start beating on a slow speed.
  • Add half the milk and then the rest of the sugar until combined.
  • Bump the mixer up to a higher speed and mix in the vanilla and the rest of the milk.
  • Beat in the cocoa powder.

To Decorate the Cupcakes:

  • Load one side of a pastry bag with the chocolate buttercream and then add the vanilla on the other side.
  • Squeeze frosting onto a plate until you see both colors running together. Add swirls of buttercream to the cupcakes.
  • Add sprinkles, sugar pearls, etc. if desired.

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11 comments

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Anonymous February 27, 2013 - 3:01 am

How many cupcakes does this recipe make? And what if I wanted to turn this into a cake?

Reply
Anonymous July 14, 2012 - 2:50 pm

Cute cute cute!!!!

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Ruby July 18, 2011 - 11:47 am

Oh my. I was just sitting here editing some cupcake photos for my next blog post and thinking of you, because you could have done the frosting so much better than I did. And then here you go proving it. I see how you did that two-tone swirly thing, and I wish I could copy you but I'm way too inept. I'm sure your new neighbours love you and thank their lucky stars they moved into a neighbourhood with you in it. I know I would!

Reply
Joanne July 17, 2011 - 11:01 am

These are so cute! I'm sure everyone loved them. I absolutely would have!

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Jill@MadAboutMacarons July 16, 2011 - 9:11 am

Loved your post, Lora. Too funny! Well, I'm sure that you went down as being the sophisticated neighbour who's passionate about baking rather than freaky bakey lady – LoL! What a gorgeous swirled effect on that buttercream. Très classe, Madame!

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Lauren Hairston July 15, 2011 - 3:30 pm

Fabulous! What a great idea! I'll bet they just made the housewarming party.

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The Vanilla Bean Baker July 15, 2011 - 2:47 pm

I love the look of these and I doubt anyone *sniffed* at them and called you a *freaky bakey lady*
Hope you enjoyed meeting the new neighbours even though you'll be having to say goodbye soon.

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Angie's Recipes July 15, 2011 - 2:33 pm

They are so pretty with two toned swirls!

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Travel Truth 101 July 15, 2011 - 9:49 am

Hi There! Glad to see it's not just me scared of frightening the neighbours with my weird Australian cakes. That said, they all go bonkers over my Lamingtons now and I get requests all the time – the local Thai restaurant wants to put them on the menu!! I'm an Aussie married to a Scot living in a small (25,000) village in southern Germany and I've just found you and started following. Have a great day! Cheers, Kristy

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Lori @ Girl Meets Oven July 15, 2011 - 10:46 am

These look amazing. I love the combination of vanilla and chocolate in both the cupcake and the frosting. Very cool. I hate moving, but would consider doing it again if someone were to bring me cupcakes as beautiful as these for a housewarming gift. 🙂

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