This July marks the final chapter of the Harry Potter saga, and as a long-time fan of the books and films, I wanted to submit a recipe worthy of Potter and cupcake fans alike. After deciding that 'Berttie-Bott's Every Flavored Cupcake' would result in endless cupcake mayhem and serious sleep deprivation from all-night baking parties, the next best thing seemed to be a cupcake modeled after the famous concoction of butterbeer.

Step 1: Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup room temperature, unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 tsp butter flavoring (such as butter-buds)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cream soda
Butterscotch chips
Cinnamon

Frosting:

8 oz. marshmallow fluff
3/4 cup butter
Powdered sugar
Vanilla
Salt
Caramel or Chocolate Drizzle (for decoration)

Step 2: Batter and Baking

Set the oven to 350 degrees F and line muffin pan with cupcake liners.

Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and set aside. With an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at time, and add the vanilla and butter flavoring.
In another bowl, combine the buttermilk and cream soda. Alternate adding this mixture and the flour mixture to the sugar batter.

Using a microwave or double broiler, melt the butterscotch chips to a softer consistency. The chips should just be stirred enough so that they lose their shape. Mix the butterscotch into the batter.

Fill the cupcake liners a little over half-way each, and bake them for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Frosting and Decorating

Combine the marshmallow fluff, butter, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until the ingredients are evenly dispersed. Smooth the lovely fluff onto the cupcakes.

I made a batch of mini cupcakes along with the larger ones, and instead of decorating them with the caramel or chocolate web, I sprinkled cinnamon on tops. You can always skip the web design, and opt for a dusting of cinnamon, a sprinkle of butterscotch chips, or a simple drizzle of caramel or butterscotch sauce.

To create the web design, draw three circles with the sauce of your choice. Start from the center of the cupcake, and using a toothpick or the edge of a knife, pull out five lines that reach the edge. In between the lines you've just drawn, pull out another line for each space. (See picture for an example).