Rainbow Cupcakes
User Reviews
4.5
Rainbow Cupcakes
Description
The recipe starts by mixing a white cake mix with eggs, sour cream, milk, and vegetable oil until smooth. The batter is divided into several portions, each tinted with gel food coloring to achieve vivid hues without thinning the batter. The cupcakes are baked by layering spoonfuls of different colors in liners, then lightly spreading each batter layer with a finger dipped in water to prevent sticking.
Buttercream frosting is made by combining softened butter with powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and optional coconut extract for added flavor. The frosting is smooth and creamy, providing sweetness and richness that pairs well with the light-textured cupcakes. The multicolored layers create a visually appealing surprise when bitten into.
The cupcakes are suitable for celebrations or anytime a colorful treat is desired. Using gel colors ensures bright, saturated tones without altering baking outcomes. Optional additions like cream cheese frosting are possible but require separate preparation.
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 white cake mix
- 2 egg
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 /2 cup milk
- 1/3 /3 cup vegetable oil
Frosting:
- 3 butter 1 ½ cups, room temperature, sticks
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 5 Tablespoons milk
- 1/2 /2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 /2 teaspoon coconut extract (or just use all vanilla extract)
- salt dash
Instructions
- 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.
- Divide batter into separate bowls according to how many colors you are using usually 5 or 6. 5 colors and it worked out to a little over 1 cup for each color.
- 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.
- To get a layered stripe like I used, you'll want to put a spoonful of each colored batter in the cupcake liners 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.
- 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.
- Bake them according to the package directions, until a toothpick comes out dry.
- 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.
- For the frosting: Add butter and powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
- Add the coconut extract, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until combined.
- Gradually add milk (you may not need all of it) and beat for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.
- Frost cooled cupcakes. Add rainbow colored sprinkles if desired.
- 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.
Notes
- Wilton gel food coloring produces the brightest colors without thinning the batter and is widely available.
- Dipping your fingers in water prevents thick batter from sticking when spreading each colored layer in the cupcake liner.
- Alternative frosting options like cream cheese frosting can be used to vary the flavor and texture.
- Airhead Extremes candies are suggested but optional if additional decoration is desired.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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