# 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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
03 - In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs individually, mixing well after each; blend in vanilla extract.
04 - Alternately add dry ingredients and whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until the batter is smooth and combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 18–20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Place cupcakes on a wire rack and cool completely.
06 - Beat softened butter in a clean mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, followed by milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until frosting is smooth and fluffy.
07 - Pipe or spread buttercream evenly atop cooled cupcakes using a piping bag or spatula.
08 - Roll black fondant to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut 12 squares approximately 1 inch wide for the cap tops. Shape small balls for cap bases; flatten slightly. Apply a dab of water to attach each square atop a base.
09 - Using yellow fondant or licorice, roll thin ropes for tassels. Affix each tassel to the center of the cap with a drop of water.
10 - Gently position a fondant graduation cap atop each buttercream-frosted cupcake.
