These Meatloaf Cupcakes with Potato Frosting bring a fun twist to a classic comfort food. Perfect for family dinners or parties, they combine savory meat mixed with fluffy mashed potatoes on top that looks like sweet frosting. Every bite delivers familiar flavors packed into a cute, handheld size that even kids love.
Ingredients
- Ground beef or a mix of beef and pork: provides juicy, rich flavor; choose fresh, good quality meat with some fat for moistness
- Breadcrumbs: help hold the meat mixture together and keep it tender
- Milk: adds moisture and softens the texture of the meatloaf
- Small onion, finely chopped: brings sweetness and depth of flavor
- Garlic clove, minced: adds a little punch and aroma
- Large egg: binds the ingredients so cupcakes don’t crumble
- Ketchup: lends a touch of tangy sweetness
- Worcestershire sauce: boosts umami and complexity
- Dried thyme or Italian seasoning: offers herbal notes; fresh herbs could also work here
- Salt and pepper: essential seasoning to enhance all flavors
- Mashed potatoes: creamy and fluffy for the frosting; homemade is best but store-bought works in a pinch
- Butter, softened: enriches the texture of toppings
- Heavy cream or milk: makes potato frosting lighter and easier to pipe
- Salt and black pepper: to season the frosting just right
- Cherry tomatoes: add bright color and slight acidity on top
- Fresh parsley or chives: provide a fresh herbal garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius. Line a muffin tin with silicone or metal liners or grease the pan really well to prevent sticking. This step ensures easy cupcake removal and even cooking.
- Mix the Meatloaf Batter:
- In a large bowl, gently combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir just until everything comes together; overmixing can toughen the meat texture, so be gentle but thorough.
- Shape and Prep Cupcakes:
- Divide the meat mixture evenly between the muffin cups. Press down gently to form compact little cupcake shapes. Use the back of a spoon to make a small indentation in the center of each cake. This helps the cupcakes cook evenly through and prevents doming.
- Bake Until Cooked Through:
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer aiming for 160 degrees Fahrenheit in the center. Once cooked, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before adding the topping.
- Make Potato Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes with softened butter and cream. Use a hand mixer to whip this mixture until it is light and fluffy, resembling frosting. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This creamy potato topping brings the perfect balance of texture and flavor.
- Frost the Cupcakes:
- Spoon or pipe the fluffy mashed potatoes onto each meatloaf cupcake, spreading or swirling it attractively just like frosting on a sweet cupcake. Garnish with a small piece of cherry tomato and sprinkle chopped parsley or chives over the top for a fresh and colorful finish.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- These meatloaf cupcakes are best served warm either as a main dish or party appetizer. They can be drizzled with gravy to crank up the comfort factor even more, or enjoyed just as they are for a fun meal any day of the week
