Midnight Glow Cupcakes

🌌 Midnight Glow Cupcakes Recipe

🎂 Yield:

12 standard-size cupcakes

✨ Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cupcakes:

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably dark/Dutch-processed for deep color)

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk

• 1/2 cup (120ml) hot coffee or hot water (enhances chocolate flavor)

For the Glowing Frosting:

• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened

• 3–4 cups (360–480g) powdered sugar, sifted

• 1/4 cup tonic water or 1/4 tsp vitamin B2 (riboflavin) dissolved in 1 tbsp warm water

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Food coloring (neon green, blue, or purple work well with the glow)

• Optional: splash of lemon or lime juice (enhances fluorescence with tonic water)

Optional Glow Add-Ins:

• Glow-in-the-dark sprinkles (edible and UV-reactive)

• Edible glitter

• A drop of glow pigment (must be food-grade and blacklight-reactive)

🧁 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.

2. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in the vanilla extract.

5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk:

   • Start with 1/3 of the dry ingredients, then half the buttermilk, then more dry, then remaining buttermilk, ending with dry.

6. Mix in the hot coffee or hot water until the batter is smooth. It will be a bit thin—this is good!

7. Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners (fill about 2/3 full).

8. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

9. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 2: Make the Glowing Frosting

This is the secret glow-up part!

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter until fluffy (2 minutes).

2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing between additions.

3. Stir in the tonic water (or riboflavin mixture), vanilla, and food coloring.

4. Beat on high until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with more powdered sugar or a few drops of tonic water.

🌀 Test the glow: Turn off the lights and use a blacklight (UV light) to check the glow of your frosting. Add a little more tonic water or riboflavin if needed.

Step 3: Decorate

1. Once cupcakes are fully cooled, pipe or spread the glowing frosting on top.

2. Add glow sprinkles, edible glitter, or blacklight-reactive decorations.

3. Chill for 10–15 minutes to help the frosting set if needed.

🔦 Tips for Maximum Glow

• Blacklight is essential – the cupcakes won’t visibly glow in total darkness unless exposed to UV light.

• Tonic water contains quinine, which fluoresces under UV.

• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is safe and glows a neon yellow-green.

• Neon/fluorescent food coloring also enhances glow effect.

🥳 Serving Idea

Serve in a dark room with blacklight strips or UV bulbs for a magical glow-in-the-dark effect. Great for spooky, space, or rave-themed parties!

Would you like a printable version or a party menu to go with it?