• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Baked Bree

Pretty pictures and delicious family recipes

  • pasta
  • salad
  • desserts
  • cookies
  • dinner

Rainbow Cupcakes

5 from 1 vote
Bree HesterBy Bree Hester
Bree Hester
Bree Hester Founder of Baked Bree

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. O…

Expertise: Recipe Developer, Food Photographer And Writer View all posts →
Jump to Recipe

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!

Three rainbow cupcakes topped with white whipped frosting, sitting on a yellow checkered cloth.

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 first 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.

Children mixing colored cake batter in bowls for Rainbow Cupcakes, with food coloring on the table.

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.

Layering colorful batter into paper-lined muffin cups for Rainbow Cupcakes.

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.

A partially eaten Rainbow Cupcake on a white plate, revealing colorful layers and white frosting.

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

A child holds a bitten Rainbow Cupcake, revealing its colorful layers and white frosting.
Three rainbow cupcakes topped with white whipped frosting, sitting on a yellow checkered cloth.

Rainbow Cupcakes

Bree Hester
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 18 minutes mins
Total Time 48 minutes mins
Course cupcakes
Cuisine American
Servings 24 cupcakes
Calories 145 kcal

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 (15 oz)
  • 2 cups frosting

Instructions
 

  • 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.
    Colorful tie-dye baking activity with children making vibrant patterns in bowls, perfect for kids' cooking and artistic fun.
  • Put the kids to work and mix until all one color.
    Mixing blue, orange, purple, green, and pink cake batter for Rainbow Cupcakes.
  • 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.
    Layering colorful batter into paper-lined muffin cups for Rainbow Cupcakes.
  • 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.
    Three rainbow cupcakes topped with white whipped frosting, sitting on a yellow checkered cloth.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 157mgFiber: 0.2g
Keyword Bright-Colored Cupcakes, colorful cupcakes, easy cupcake recipe, Fun Baking Activity, kid-friendly baking, Kids Baking, Playdate Recipes, St. Patrick’s Day treats for parties
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Bree HesterRecipe Developer, Food Photographer And Writer

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. Over the years it has evolved into so much more than that. While Bree may have hung up her apron for the last time, the reins have now been passed over to a passionate team of foodies.

Reader Interactions

Published: Mar 6, 2010 | Updated: May 15, 2026
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love hearing from you and seeing what you made!

Recipe Rating




  1. Erin says

    Posted on 10/24 at 12:22 am

    Really good.

    Reply
    • Soft baked bread with golden crust on a rustic wooden board, perfect for breakfast or sandwiches.BakedBree says

      Posted on 2/2 at 9:58 am

      Thanks Erin, I find those cupcakes so pretty!

      Reply
Creamy blue cheese bacon dip with grapes, crackers, and apple slices for snacks.
Previous Post
Blue Cheese Bacon Dip
Fresh raspberry cheesecake cupcake with crumb topping and powdered sugar frosting.
Next Post
Cheesecake Cupcakes with Crumb Topping

Primary Sidebar

Let's Connect

Back to Top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Editorial Policy
Baked Bree is part of Waywith.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.