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Rainbow Cupcakes

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I love involving my kids when baking, and this time we got to make some bright-colored rainbow cupcakes that they wanted to top with whipped cream! Yummy!

rainbow cupcakes

Why I decided to make the cupcakes //

You have a playdate, and there are 4 children and 1 adult. How do you keep them busy and keep them from burning the house down? Cook with them. I found this recipe in the back of the March issue of Family Fun magazine and knew that it could buy me at least a half an hour. I did get a half an hour out of it, and we all had a very good time making these. No fighting, no screaming, no meltdowns. All fun.

Ingredients //

How to mix the colors

  • To make purple:  9 red and 6 blue drops
  • To make blue:  12 drops
  • To make green:  12 drops
  • To make yellow:  12 drops
  • To make orange:  12 yellow and 4 red drops
  • To make red:  18 drops

edited 6/12 – I have made these many, many times, and gel food coloring gives a richer, brighter color. Both methods are the same, but the color will be more intense with gel.

Instructions //

Step 1:

Start with a box of white cake mix. Make it according to the directions on the box. Separate it into 6 bowls. Get out some plain old food coloring and get to work. Make the kids count it out for you.

Step 2:

Put the kids to work and mix until all one color.

Step 3:

Starting with purple, drop a heaping tablespoon of batter into a paper lined muffin tin. Smooth it out a bit before you add the next color. Repeat until you get to through all of the colors. Spread the red evenly over the top so that it looks like the cupcake is only red (there will be a nice surprise when they take a bite). Bake and let cool.

Step 4:

Frost with your frosting of choice. I had a can of Rainbow Chip laying around and I was feeling lazy. Kids don’t really care if it is real buttercream. They don’t judge.

rainbow cupcakes

Your little leprechauns will love making these and sharing them with their friends. Perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day party.

rainbow cupcakes

Rainbow Cupcakes

Yield: 24 cupcakes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 48 minutes

Rainbow Cupcakes - use a cake mix and a few different food colors to create a beatiful rainbow cupcake.

Ingredients

  • To make purple: 9 red and 6 blue drops
  • To make blue: 12 drops
  • To make green: 12 drops
  • To make yellow: 12 drops
  • To make orange: 12 yellow and 4 red drops
  • To make red: 18 drops
  • 1 box of white cake mix plus ingredients

Instructions

  1. Start with a box of white cake mix. Make it according to the directions on the box. Separate it into 6 bowls. Get out some plain old food coloring and get to work. Make the kids count it out for you.
  2. Put the kids to work and mix until all one color.
  3. Starting with purple, drop a heaping tablespoon of batter into a paper lined muffin tin. Smooth it out a bit before you add the next color. Repeat until you get to through all of the colors. Spread the red evenly over the top so that it looks like the cupcake is only red (there will be a nice surprise when they take a bite). Bake and let cool.
  4. Frost with your frosting of choice. I had a can of Rainbow Chip laying around and I was feeling lazy. Kids don't really care if it is real buttercream. They don't judge.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 11Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 10mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g

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Did you make this recipe?

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Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting - Baked Bree

Thursday 28th of October 2021

[…] Rainbow Cupcakes […]

Barbara

Saturday 21st of December 2013

Thank you so much for the recipe and idea. I made them for my little niece b'day and everybody loved these sweet rainbows!

bakedbree

Saturday 21st of December 2013

You're welcome! Glad she liked them.

Pam

Thursday 4th of April 2013

Does the food coloring change the taste of the cake? Thanks!

bakedbree

Friday 5th of April 2013

No, not really.

Yuhan

Friday 1st of June 2012

what's the temperature needed to bake the cupcakes and for how long ? and serves 12 ? thank you :)

bakedbree

Saturday 2nd of June 2012

It depends on your cake mix package, and mine was 24 cupcakes.

Mannat

Sunday 13th of May 2012

Hi Would love to try this recipe and will do very soon. However, all I need to know is what is the size of the 'white cake mix' in terms of weight (grams)? Thanks a ton! Will tell you how the recipe went on :)

bakedbree

Tuesday 22nd of May 2012

It doesn't matter what size you use, but it is 18.25 ounces.

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