# 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
16 - Sprinkles (optional)
# Method:
01 - Set the oven to 350°F. Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
02 - In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until uniform.
03 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
04 - Add half the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, then pour in the milk. Finally, add the remaining dry ingredients and combine until just blended.
05 - Spoon the batter evenly into the mini muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
06 - Bake for 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
07 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, then add milk and vanilla extract. Beat until fluffy.
08 - Divide the frosting into portions and color with gel food coloring as desired for clock faces and accents.
09 - Apply a smooth layer of colored buttercream to each cooled mini cake. Use decorating gels, mini chocolate chips, or frosting to draw clock faces, numbers, and hands pointing to midnight.
10 - Finish with edible pearls and optional sprinkles. Arrange on a serving platter and present.
