Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup champagne
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 large egg whites, whipped to a stiff peak
• 1 cup sugar, and edible decorations (mixed gold, white and silver sanding sugar)
• 4 cups vanilla buttercream frosting
• sugar, for topping (silver and gold sanding sugar)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Insert gold liners into a medium cupcake pan; set aside.

2. In a bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk to sift the flour, baking powder and salt.

3. Turn mixer speed to low and add the flour in 3 additions, alternating with the Champagne. Stir in the vanilla extract then remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Using a rubber spatula, fold in 1/3 of the whipped egg whites until completely combined, then add the remaining egg whites and fold until well incorporated.

4. Fill cupcake liners with batter 3/4 to the top and bake until set, about 22-24 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

5. Use a medium star piping tip to remove the center of the cake, making sure not to cut all the way through to the bottom. Alternately, use the tip of a small sharp knife to cut a hole in the middle of each cupcake, making sure to keep the sides and bottom intact. Remove the piece of cake and fill the hole with a spoonful of the mixed edible decorations. Replace cake to cover hole and use a pastry bag fitted with a medium star (Wilton 190) tip to pipe on frosting. Sprinkle the top with more sanding sugar and serve.