Celebrate the new year with this sweet countdown clock! This New Year’s Eve Cupcakes Clock is easy to make and perfect for parties or a night in with the family.
New Year’s Eve Cupcakes Clock
Now that we have three kids, New Year’s Eve celebrations look a little bit different than they did a few years ago. However, even if they are tamer than our college years, I actually kind of like our family New Year’s party better!
My husband and I really try to make the occasion festive and special for the girls – despite the fact that they don’t stay up until midnight.
We always plan out games and activities, run around outside with sparklers, etc.
The girls also love to craft, so this year we made New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Cards with a countdown and a glittery ball that slides to reveal their photo.
But of course, no New Year’s Eve party is complete without party food!
This New Year’s Eve Cupcakes Clock is such a simple recipe (actually you can use any cupcake recipe) that kids can actually help make.
The girls LOVE to bake Christmas cookies, especially sugar cookies that use cookie cutters, so this New Year’s Eve Cupcake Clock is right up their alley!
Plus, the end result makes a perfect party table centerpiece!
Kitchen & Baking Supplies Used
This is a quick list of clickable affiliate links (whenever possible) to help you find the products used to make this recipe. Full printable recipe with exact ingredient amounts is available at the bottom of the post, as well as a helpful recipe video tutorial. (Disclosure policy here)
- 12 cupcakes with black cupcake liners
- Chocolate frosting
- Large pretzel rods
- Silver sugar crystals
- White fondant
- Black fondant
- Black candy melts
- Fondant roller
- Round cookie cutter (approx. 2 1/2 inches diameter)
- Number cookie cutters — THIS SET from Wilton has numbers that will be the right size, plus many others for different occasions. It’s a great set to have on hand!
- Wax paper or non-stick silicone baking mat
Make a New Year’s Eve Countdown Clock with Cupcakes
Start by making your favorite cupcakes recipe. Here are a few of ours:
- Gluten Free Cherry Donut cupcakes (you can make with or without cherry filling)
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Surprise Cupcakes
- Thin Mint Cupcakes
TIP: If you’re pressed for time (no pun intended), you can absolutely use store-bought cupcakes or box mix.
While cupcakes are baking, you can prepare your fondant numbers and circles. Here’s a look at the numbers you’ll need (you’ll also need one zero, which isn’t pictured):
Cut out 12 white fondant circles, one for each cupcake, each about the same size as the top of a cupcake. Press the black numbers into the white circles, to go along with the numbers on a clock.
TIP: Since you cut out two number 6’s, flip one upside-down to be your 9.
When cupcakes are done baking and cooled (to room temperature), coat lightly with frosting and roll the edges in silver sugar crystals.
The middle of the cupcake should not have crystals, so you can press the fondant down on top and the frosting will act like “glue” to hold the numbers in place.
Use your pretzel rods to form the hands on the clock, trimming one pretzel to be the shorter minute hand. Decorate by coating in black melting candy or dark chocolate and finishing with silver sugar.
TIP: Use any leftover sugar crystals to decorate your serving platter. We made a spiral pattern in the middle.
Place your clock hands in the middle of the platter and you’re ready to celebrate!
TIP: A full printable copy of this recipe is available at the bottom of the post.
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Be sure to pin our New Year’s Eve Cupcakes on Pinterest:
Grab a free printable copy of our New Year’s Eve Cupcake Clock recipe here:
If you like this recipe, rate it! We’d also love to hear what you think in the comments below.
New Year's Eve Cupcake Clock
Ingredients
- 12 cupcakes with black cupcake liners
- Chocolate frosting
- 2 Large pretzel rods
- Silver sugar crystals
- White fondant
- Black fondant
- Black melting candy
Instructions
- Roll out white fondant to about 1/4" thick and cut into 2 ½ inch circles. You'll need 12 of them.
- Roll out black fondant to about 1/4" thick and cut using number cookie cutters. You will need 5 ones, 2 twos, 2 sixes, and 1 of each: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 0.
- Arrange black numbers on white fondant circles and press gently to set.
- Pour silver sugar crystals into a shallow dish.
- Lightly coat the cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Roll the edges of the cupcake in the the silver sprinkles, leaving the middle blank (frosting only, no sprinkles).
- Immediately press one white fondant circle into each cupcake. Press down around the edges where the fondant meets the sprinkles.
- Arrange cupcakes in numeric order to form a clock around the perimeter of a large serving platter.
- Heat black melting chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 15-20 seconds to avoid overheating. (Be sure to use a microwave-safe bowl and handle with care, as bowl and contents may be hot).
- Use pretzel rods for your clock hands - trim one pretzel to be the shorter "hour hand."
- Dip one end of the pretzel rod into the melted candy. Spoon melted candy over the other side of the pretzel rod. Shake to remove excess. Place on waxed paper to dry and repeat with the other pretzel rod.
- When you place the second pretzel rod, position it in the shape of clock hands to mark the time you desire. Spoon a slight amount of melted candy on the joint between the pretzel rods. Immediately sprinkle with silver crystals. Allow to set completely.
- Pour remaining sprinkles in the middle of your serving platter. Using a clean finger, create a spiral design in the sprinkles.
- When clock hands are ready, set the hands on the platter. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
More New Year’s Eve Party Ideas
Want more fun? Check out our favorite New Year’s Eve activities for kids here:
- Candy Cane Charcuterie Board - November 27, 2023
- Grinch Snowball Cookies - November 21, 2023
- Naughty or Nice Cocktail - November 20, 2023
Alyssa Winters says
Hi Stacey, these cupcakes are amazing. I will surely make it on new year eve. My husband and kids will love it. Thank You so much for sharing.