# What You'll Need:
→ Mini Cakes
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1/3 cup whole milk
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
11 - 2 tablespoons milk
12 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Gel food coloring (black, gold, silver, yellow; as desired)
→ Decorations
14 - Edible gold or silver pearls
15 - Mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel for clock hands and numbers
16 - Sprinkles (optional)
# Method Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
02 - In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until incorporated.
03 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
04 - Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, followed by the milk, then the remaining dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly into mini muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
06 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then milk and vanilla extract. Beat until fluffy.
07 - Separate frosting into small bowls and tint with gel food coloring to create desired colors for clock faces and accents.
08 - Apply a smooth layer of colored buttercream to each mini cake once cooled.
09 - Use decorating gel, mini chocolate chips, or colored frosting to draw clock faces, numbers, and hands set to midnight. Adorn with edible pearls and sprinkles as desired.
10 - Arrange the finished mini desserts on a platter and serve immediately.
