Hokkaido chiffon cupcakes are soft, fluffy and filled with delicate whipped cream. They are light as air and so delicious!
(Love light airy desserts? Try Brazo de Mercedes cupcakes – it’s a cottony meringue cupcake filled with delicious custard!)
I must admit – in addition to Filipino desserts, I’m also a little obsessed with Japanese desserts (check out my take on Japanese Cheesecake and Hokkaido Cheese Tarts – both of which are Japanese-inspired).
They are always so delicate and not overly sweet. They don’t need a whole lot of frosting (if any), don’t involve complicated flavours and are just so good!
Just like these Hokkaido chiffon cupcakes. When someone says cupcakes I think cake + a boatload of frosting. But these Hokkaido chiffon cupcakes are anything but.
What do Hokkaido chiffon cupcakes taste like?
I’ve never been to Hokkaido and I haven’t actually tasted Hokkaido cupcakes before I started making these but if these cupcakes are any indication, then Hokkaido must be my spirit homeland.
The cupcakes are light like chiffon cake. The filling is delicate, just slightly sweetened whipped cream. Then you finish it off with a dusting of powdered or confectioner’s sugar. It’s a joy to eat!
And they only get better the longer you refrigerate them.
The last batch I baked tasted that much better the next day – and yes it’s a mystery why they lasted that long without getting devoured. Maybe someone hid them at the back of the fridge so no one can see them?
How to make Hokkaido cupcakes
I found the recipe here though I’ve had to make changes – for one, the whipped cream wasn’t nearly enough for someone as heavy-handed as me (and trust me, more is better!). So I adjusted the recipe to make more.
To make the chiffon cupcakes:
1. PREP OVEN AND MIXER. The first thing you want to do is preheat your oven to 325F. Then you also want to put the bowl and whisk you’re going to use to whip your cream and chill them in the fridge.
2. WHISK EGG YOLKS. Then using a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk egg yolks and granulated sugar until significantly lighter in colour (about 8 minutes on med-high speed).
3. ADD WET INGREDIENTS. Add canola oil and milk and continue whisking until thoroughly incorporated.
4. ADD FLOUR. Switch to low speed and add cake flour. Whisk until just combined.
5. ADD EGG WHITES. In a separate bowl using a different whisk, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add sugar until you reach stiff peaks. Fold your egg whites into your egg yolks until just combined. Be careful not to overdo it so as not to deflate your egg whites.
6. TRANSFER TO CUPCAKE CUPS. Transfer your batter into cupcake cups until they are ¾ full and place on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until the tops start to crack and turn matte. A toothpick inserted into a couple of cupcakes should come out clean or with minimal dry crumbs. Set on a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the whipped cream filling, simply get your chilled bowl and whisk from the fridge and whisk all your ingredients until you reach stiff peaks.
How to fill Hokkaido cupcakes
Personally, this is my favourite step when making cupcakes! And before starting, always make sure your cupcakes have cooled completely before filling them.
1. TRANSFER CREAM TO PIPING BAG. Transfer your cream into a piping bag fitted with your preferred tip. To fill cupcakes, I like using a Bismark piping tip
but if you don’t have one you can use any small tip you have.
2. FILL CUPCAKES. Insert tip in the middle of cupcake and gently press to fill the cakes (you will feel the cakes getting puffy). Stop the minute you start to see the filling show on top. I like covering the top with a star to make it pretty! Finish with a dusting of with confectioner’s sugar.
Check out the video to see how I do it.
Hokkaido cupcake recipe tips
Here are some tips I’ve learned along the way in the years I’ve been making these cupcakes:
Use a kitchen scale when baking
As I bake more I learn that weighing ingredients instead of measuring them using cups and spoons results to more wins and less tears. A lot of the times you can get away with it but unfortunately, not with this recipe.
No matter how hard I try, there is no accurate way for me to convert 20 grams of sugar into tablespoons. So I really recommend that you invest in a kitchen scale
, it’s inexpensive and so useful!
Use cardboard cupcake cups
For best results, use cardboard cupcake cups
(the ones that don’t need to be put inside a cupcake pan to hold their shape).
These cupcakes need something sturdy to latch on to as they bake and rise and regular paper cups are a little too flimsy.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?
Ideally, you want to use cake flour
in this recipe because cake flour results to cupcakes (and other baked goods) with a finer, softer texture. And that’s what we want here.
However, it is a specialty ingredient and not everyone has it in their pantry. Don’t let it stop you from making these amazing cupcakes! Here’s how you can make cake flour with the all-purpose flour you already have at home.
Perfect cupcakes for spring, Easter, Mother’s Day, everyday
If you want to make them festive, just get some holiday-themed cups and you’re done! Between the whipped cream and the confectioner’s sugar, these cupcakes are just waiting to be served (then admired then gobbled up).
Though there’s nothing wrong with making them just for you, for today. And in fact I’ve done that a few times.
They are great with coffee in the morning (yes, cupcakes for breakfast!), tea in the afternoon or, you know, the occasional midnight snack.
Hokkaido Chiffon Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 3 pcs large eggs whites separated from yolks, room temperature
- 45 g granulated sugar divided into 20 grams and 25 grams
- 35 ml canola oil
- 60 ml milk
- 70 g cake flour sifted
For the Whipped Cream:
- 240 ml heavy cream chilled
- 25 g granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
For the Assembly:
- Confectioner’s sugar for dusting
Instructions
For the Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 325F. Grab the bowl and whisk you’re going to use to whip your cream and chill them in the fridge.
- Using a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk 3 egg yolks and 20 grams sugar until significantly lighter in colour (about 8 minutes on med-high speed).
- Add 35 ml canola oil and 60 ml milk and continue whisking until thoroughly incorporated.
- Switch to low speed and add 70 grams cake flour. Whisk until just combined. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl using a different whisk, beat 3 egg whites until foamy. Gradually add 25 grams sugar until you reach stiff peaks.
- Fold your egg whites into your egg yolks until just combined. Be careful not to overdo it so as not to deflate your egg whites.
- Transfer your batter into cupcake cups until they are ¾ full and place on baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until the tops start to crack and turn matte. A toothpick inserted in some of the cupcakes should come out clean or with minimal dry crumbs.Set on a wire rack to cool completely (see notes).
For the Whipped Cream:
- Get your chilled bowl and whisk from the fridge and whisk all your ingredients until you reach stiff peaks.
For the Assembly:
- Ensure your cupcakes have cooled down completely before filling them with whipped cream.
- Transfer your cream into a piping bag fitted with your preferred tip. Insert tip in the middle of cupcake and gently press to fill the cakes (you will feel the cakes getting puffy).
- Stop the minute you start to see the filling show on top. Dust with confectioner’s sugar.
Video
Notes
- The cupcakes are going to be super fluffy freshly baked then will deflate slightly as they cool down. This is normal.
- This recipe yields 9-13 cupcakes depending on the size of cupcake cups you use.
- See post for more baking tips and watch video for step-by-step instructions.
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only.
Happy baking!
Did you make Hokkaido chiffon cupcakes? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.
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Julia Martin
Can I use silicone cupcake cups?
Jolina
Hi Julia, I don’t recommend it…the chiffon cakes need something to cling to and silicone may not do the job.
Rachel
This was a wonderful weekend project for me. Looking for a recipe I Haven’t tried before and so I glad I found these cupcakes! The kids especially love them!
Jolina
Happy to hear that Rachel!
Keana
Hi Jolina! I’ve made your hokkaido cupcakes so many times now and sometimes I put a little jam with the whipped cream. So good! Our family’s favorite.
Jolina
Hi Keana, jam sounds delicious!
Deena
Oh my gosh, I made these cupcakes and they were so pretty, fluffy, and delicious. Recipe is a keeper!
Jolina
Thanks Deena!
ren
I tried to do it, but mine deflated after it was baked, not sure what happened. Any advise?
Jolina
Hi Ren, the cupcakes are going to be super fluffy freshly baked then will deflate slightly as they cool down. This is normal.
Wern
I’m not a baker/cook, but I tried this for son’s 2nd birthday and everyone loved it! I have leave to a comment here on how easy and awesome it was
Jolina
I appreciate it Wern! Hope your son had an amazing birthday!
Harling
Hihi
Can I replace canola oil wil vegetable oil?
Jolina
Yes you can 🙂
Samridhi
These are amazing. I made them last summer using regular cupcake liners in a muffin pan and they turned out perfect. No deflation. I’ll be making them again later this week. I love Japanese desserts. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
Jolina
Japanese desserts are awesome 🙂 You’re most welcome and happy baking!
Shelley Hoppe
1st time trying them. Granddaughter had to pick a Japanese dessert to make for school assignment. Everyone loved them. Made extra for our dessert. Once there baked n filled do you store them in fridge till served?
Jolina
Hi Shelley, happy to hear that! And yes, I store them in the fridge. The powdered sugar will melt so you may need to dust them again prior to serving.
sherly
We love it! I made it for my kid’s snack, he said it’s so yummy. Thank you for the great recipe.
Jolina
That’s awesome Sherly! And you’re very welcome 🙂
Mish
I tried them as well and they were delicious! We also put it over bbq coal and it was so so delicious. Wanted to try chocolate flavour, should i just add one tbsp of cocoa powder along with other ingredients ?
Jolina
Hi Mish, I’d recommend adding chocolate to your filling instead of the chiffon. Enjoy!
Claire
This was so delicious and easy to make!! First time making it and a success. Thanks for the recipe!!
Jolina
Happy to hear that, Claire!
Mrs E
I have never tried eating or making these before but I like trying new things- have no idea what they’re meant to taste like.
These were perfect on the first attempt. I used a muffin tray with paper cases as these were what I had, they worked but the can see cardboard would be better.
Jolina
That’s awesome! Glad you liked them 🙂
Paula
I love this cupcake! I devour 3 cupcakes the very first time I made it. It’s so delicious!
Jolina
Glad you like them Paula! 🙂
h
hi there, would these bake in a lined muffin tray instead of those paper cups?
Jolina
Hi there. I’ve never baked these in paper cups. You can certainly try but my two main concerns would be: you won’t achieve the height that a cardboard cup provides and paper cups might be too flimsy for the meringue to latch on to.
Iman Maryam
I totally recommend this recipe. I tried this and it was a success. Love it. Nailed it on the first try.
Jolina
Thanks Iman. Glad you liked it!