Rainbow Cupcakes
Rainbow Cupcakes is a dessert that has layers of rainbow cake topped with a magical cloud and rainbow on top. Because life isn’t always rainbows and skittles BUT some days it can be.
RAINBOW CUPCAKES
Time heals all things…most things. Today my dad and mother-in-law are both cancer free and realizing that my sister is gone is…well… bearable. I know I will see her again. It’s just that it feels like forever before I will. I am in a much better place.
I have healthy kids, a husband with a job, and right now I think that’s more than anyone could ask for. Life is good.
My son Austin’s 5th birthday is this week. I made these for his preschool. They are so cheery to look at. They took a little time but his preschool teacher said the kids were amazed when they took off the wrappers and saw the rainbows.
You could make a white cake mix according to the directions and add the dye but I followed OurBestBites additions of milk and sour cream which made for incredibly moist cupcakes.
OTHER CAKE RECIPES:
Rainbow Cupcakes
These Rainbow Cupcakes have layers of rainbow cake topped with a magical cloud and rainbow on top.
Ingredients
- 1 white cake mix
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 sticks butter (1 ½ cups, room temperature)
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 5 Tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract (or just use all vanilla extract)
- Dash of salt
Instructions
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For the Cupcakes: Combine all ingredients until incorporated (about 30 seconds). Scrape sides of bowl and then beat on med-high speed for 3 minutes.
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Divide batter according to how many colors you are using. I used 5 colors and it worked out to a little over 1 cup for each color.
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Use food coloring to color batter to desired intensity. Wilton brand gel colors have the brightest colors and wont thin your batter. They can be found at Walmart or Michaels.
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To get a layered stripe like I used, you'll want to put a spoonful of each color in the cupcake one at a time. The batter is thick, so it won't spread on it's own. A great tip is to set out a little bowl of water where you're working. Dip your finger in the water and then gently spread the batter out. The water will make it so the batter doesn't stick to your fingers.
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Another tip is to use a measuring spoon and some water to measure out how many teaspoons/tablespoons are going to fit in your cupcake. Then divide that by how many colors you have so you know how much of each color to use for each cupcake. For my 5 colors, it worked out perfectly with 2 t of each color in each cupcake. So I put in 2 t of blue in the bottom of each cupcake and spread it out with my finger. Then I put in 2 t of green on top of that, then yellow, etc.
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Bake them according to the package directions, until a toothpick comes out dry.
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Frost with your favorite frosting. Fancy it up by putting the frosting in a ziplock bag. Cut of the corner of the side of the bag and you have an instant frosting decorating bag.
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For the frosting: Add butter and powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
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Add the coconut extract, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until combined.
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Gradually add milk (you may not need all of it) and beat for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.
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Frost cooled cupcakes. Add rainbow colored sprinkles if desired.
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For Double Rainbow cupcakes: Reserve about 1/3 cup of white frosting and dye the rest blue. Frost cupcakes. Place white frosting in a resealable bag and pipe clouds on top of the blue frosting. Cut an Airhead Extremes in half and place in the clouds.
Recipe Notes
Airhead Extremes can be found at most stores (walmart, target, and Amazon).
cupcakes from Our Best Bites; frosting from The Girl Who Ate Everything
Hi, I’m going to attempt to make these but have a question about the ‘1 cup sour cream’ in the Cupcakes ingredients list . The box of white cake mix I’m using (Betty Crocker Super Moist White Cake Mix) does not call for sour cream – is it still OK to add the sour cream or will that change the consistency?
Also – can I sub plain greek yogurt for the sour cream?
Greek yogurt is a fine sub for sour cream.
Yes, the boxes never call for sour cream. This added ingredient makes them very moist!
Oh my goodness we made these for St Patrick’s Day and added some golden coins to the plate. My littles were so in love and thought they were so special to get to eat them! Which obviously they are!
So much fun. Thanks! Xo
I bet they look fabulous!
Hey what website did you make your website on! Love you and your redipies xx
I use wordpress!
I’m a beginner, have never made anything like this or even dyed frosting. Would I be too inexperienced to attempt these? Also, I would need to make like 5 batches so it would take a few days. How long do these last in the fridge/freezer? Need them for a party. Thank you!
They last a while! A week at least! They are definitely a lot of busy work but nothing too complicated that you can’t handle.
These were a wonderful baking project! My 6 year old and I had a blast making them. Ours only made 12, but we also made them with 7 colors. Needless to say, they were over flowing in the cupcake pan, haha. I would attach a photo, but there isn’t an option. Thank you for this easy and fun recipe!
Shoot. I wish I could have seen them!
Hi some pictures have five colors and others have six. If I do 6, how does that change the amount of batter per color per cupcake?
It ends up being about .8 cups per color.
hi beautiful story.
I will try these as they are so beautiful and will be a nice project for my daughter and I
Thank you!
My daughter has a bday coming up next week and I found this recipe and we’re going to go by it she’s excited and can’t wait.. Beautiful story I have a great story myself and have come along way in life and have been sober for almost 3 years
Wow. That’s an accomplishment. Thank you and I hope you enjoy.
How many cupcakes does this make.
18
This looks yummy 😋
Thank you!