The season of entertaining is upon us! I’ve partnered with Sauza® Tequila to bring you a delightful new cupcake recipe and inspiring ideas for a fabulous Holiday Girls’ Night!

Host the Ultimate Holiday Girls’ Night In: Sparkle, Sips & Snow Angel Cupcakes

The holiday season is officially in full swing – that magical, albeit sometimes hectic, time of year! As wonderful as it is, the role of hostess can often feel like a daunting task, whether you’re a seasoned party planner or just starting out. But entertaining doesn’t have to be a source of stress. In fact, with a little planning and the right inspiration, you can create an effortlessly elegant evening that leaves both you and your guests feeling pampered and joyful.

This year, let’s ditch the traditional heavy holiday fare and embrace a fresh approach to festive gatherings. Gather your favorite girlfriends for an enchanting girls’ night in that promises sophistication without the fuss. Imagine a delightful spread featuring light-as-air angel food cupcakes paired perfectly with a crisp, bubbly glass of Sauza® Sparkling Margarita. It’s a refreshing change from the usual holiday party scene, offering a unique blend of delicate flavors and sparkling merriment. We’ll start with the star of the dessert table – because priorities, right? Planning the cake always comes first!

Indulge in Lightness: Why Angel Food Cupcakes are Your Holiday Dessert Hero

Angel food cake holds a special place in my heart as an all-time favorite dessert. Its ethereal lightness and delicate sweetness are a delightful surprise amidst the rich, often heavy, desserts that typically dominate the holiday season. That’s precisely why I envisioned these cloud-like treats in cupcake form for our festive girls’ night in. They offer a welcome contrast to the usual December indulgences, providing a guilt-free pleasure that won’t weigh anyone down. These individual portions are not only charming but also incredibly easy to serve and enjoy.

What makes these “Snow Angel Cupcakes” truly exceptional is their impressive appearance coupled with their surprising simplicity to create. We’re taking a classic angel food cake recipe and elevating it with a bright touch of fresh lemon zest, enhancing its natural flavors. Each fluffy cupcake is then crowned with a generous dollop of sweetened whipped cream and adorned with a vibrant fresh raspberry, creating a mini masterpiece that feels both elegant and joyful. The only challenge you might face with these heavenly delights is resisting the urge to have just one!

Snow Angel Cupcakes: A Heavenly Recipe for Your Holiday Gathering

These Snow Angel Cupcakes are designed to impress without requiring hours in the kitchen. Their light texture and bright flavors make them an ideal dessert for any holiday get-together, especially when you’re looking for something that feels special yet easy to prepare. Follow this simple recipe to bring a touch of angelic sweetness to your next celebration.

Snow Angel Cupcakes

Snow Angel Cupcakes – light angel food cupcakes with lemon zest topped with a luscious whipped cream and fresh raspberries. A perfect, airy treat for any holiday party.

• Author: Carrie Sellman
• Yield: 24+ cupcakes
• Category: ✽ ✽ ✽

Ingredients

For the Angel Food Cupcakes

• 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 1 ⅓ cups sifted cake flour
• 12 egg whites, at room temperature
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
• Zest of one organic lemon

When Ready To Serve

• 16 ounces heavy whipping cream, very cold
• 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
• Fresh Raspberries
• Confectioners’ Sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

Make the Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C).
2. In a food processor, pulse 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar until it is superfine. Roughly two minutes on low speed.
3. Combine the remaining ½ cup granulated sugar with the sifted cake flour and sift together four times to ensure lightness. Set aside.
4. In the clean, dry bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar until medium firm peaks form.
5. While the mixer is running on medium speed, gradually sprinkle the superfine sugar (1 ½ cups) over the egg whites. Continue to mix until the meringue is thick and shiny.
6. Add the lemon zest. Mix for several additional minutes until the meringue is very thick and glossy. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Scrape down the whisk attachment, ensuring all egg whites and zest are incorporated.
7. Sprinkle approximately ¼ of the flour mixture into the meringue bowl and gently fold it into the egg whites using a clean rubber spatula. Repeat this process until all the flour has been added and just combined, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
8. Spoon the batter evenly into a muffin tin lined with cupcake wrappers. Fill each wrapper almost to the very top. Gently smooth the top of each cupcake.
9. Bake for 17 – 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in the muffin tin, then carefully remove the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

When Ready To Serve:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the chilled heavy cream and 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar until you achieve soft peaks.
2. Just before serving, spoon a generous dollop of whipped cream on top of each cooled cupcake. Garnish with a fresh raspberry and a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar, if desired, for an extra touch of elegance.

Notes

• To prepare the whipped cream topping in advance and prevent it from deflating, consider incorporating a stabilizer such as mousse powder, a small amount of gelatin, or cream cheese.

Sip and Savor: Crafting the Perfect Sauza Sparkling Margarita

With our delightful Snow Angel Cupcakes ready, let’s turn our attention to the perfect companion for our Holiday Girls’ Night In: the Sauza® Sparkling Margarita. This refreshing, effervescent drink is the ideal counterpoint to the delicate sweetness of the cupcakes and offers a sophisticated, yet easy-to-serve, beverage option for your guests. Forget heavy cocktails; this sparkling margarita brings a vibrant, festive fizz that lightens the mood and adds a touch of glamour to your evening.

The beauty of the Sauza® Sparkling Margarita lies in its ready-to-serve convenience and its light, crisp flavor profile. It’s fantastic on its own, but you can easily elevate it with simple, festive garnishes. Imagine serving glasses adorned with plump, ruby-red cranberries, fresh raspberries, or even a sprig of fragrant rosemary for an unexpected herbaceous twist. These small touches transform a simple drink into a thoughtful and visually appealing element of your party, perfectly complementing the elegant vibe of your girls’ night. It’s a wonderful way to offer a signature drink without the need for a complicated bar setup.

Elevate Your Evening: Creative Ideas for an Unforgettable Girls’ Night In

Beyond the delicious cupcakes and sparkling margaritas, creating a memorable holiday girls’ night is all about crafting an inviting atmosphere and offering a variety of delightful treats. The goal is effortless elegance – sophisticated touches that feel special but don’t require immense effort, allowing you to relax and enjoy the company of your friends.

Setting the Scene: Ambiance & Decor

• Harmonious Color Palette: When decorating, embrace a simple yet striking color palette of red and white. This modern twist on traditional holiday colors offers a fresh, clean, and incredibly festive look that feels both classic and contemporary. Think white linens, red accents, and perhaps a touch of silver or gold.
• Effortless Centerpieces: No need for elaborate floral arrangements. Simply pull out your extra cake stands – or even sturdy inverted bowls – and top them with an assortment of beautiful holiday ornaments. This creates an instant, chic, and incredibly easy centerpiece that adds sparkle and height to your table. Done!
• Cozy Lighting: Dim the overhead lights and rely on fairy lights, candles (real or flameless), and ambient lamps to create a warm, inviting glow. This instantly sets a relaxed and intimate mood, perfect for meaningful conversations and laughter.
• Festive Sounds: Curate a holiday playlist that includes a mix of classic carols and contemporary festive tunes. Keep the volume at a background level to allow for conversation, but let the music add to the joyous atmosphere.

Beyond the Cupcakes: Delightful Dessert Bites

While our Snow Angel Cupcakes are the stars, I love the idea of offering a selection of other mini desserts and cookies. Small bites allow guests to sample a little bit of everything without the heaviness of a single large dessert, encouraging exploration and conversation around the treat table.

• Classic Linzer Cookies: These beautiful cookies are a timeless treat that perfectly align with our red and white color scheme. Featuring two delicate, almond-flavored shortbread cookies sandwiched together with a vibrant layer of raspberry or strawberry jam, they are both visually appealing and deliciously satisfying. Get a recipe to make them here.
• Festive Peppermint Cake Pops: Cake pops are always a crowd-pleaser, and for the holidays, they get an extra festive flair with a hint of peppermint and charming striped sticks. You can unleash your inner baker and make your own, or for a convenient shortcut, consider ordering some pre-made ones here.
• Miniature Tarts or Brownie Bites: Expand your dessert bar with other bite-sized delights. Small lemon tarts offer a tangy contrast, while rich brownie bites dusted with confectioners’ sugar provide a comforting chocolatey option.

Thoughtful Touches: Making Guests Feel Special

• Personalized Drink Garnishes: Set up a small station with different garnishes for the Sparkling Margarita – a bowl of raspberries, a dish of cranberries, and a small bunch of fresh rosemary. Let guests choose their favorite to customize their drink.
• Comfort Essentials: Have a basket of cozy throws or blankets available, especially if you’re enjoying a cooler evening or have outdoor seating options.
• Simple Activities: While conversation is key, having a low-key activity can be fun. Think about a classic board game, a holiday-themed movie playing softly in the background, or a fun icebreaker game.

Your Go-To Guide for Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining

Ultimately, a successful holiday girls’ night in isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating an atmosphere where friendship, laughter, and joy can flourish. By focusing on simple, elegant details like our Snow Angel Cupcakes and Sauza Sparkling Margaritas, you can easily host an unforgettable evening. Remember, the best part of entertaining is enjoying the company of your loved ones, so allow these tips and recipes to guide you towards a truly relaxing and rewarding experience this holiday season.

If you’re ready to get the party started and crave even more Girls’ Night inspiration, be sure to explore my Pinterest board for a wealth of ideas to make your gathering truly special. You can find it HERE.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sauza® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sauza®.
Cupcake recipe and photography by Carrie Sellman for The Cake Blog.
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