Rainbow Cupcakes

Adorable Rainbow Cupcakes that are easy enough the kids can make them and decorate them for a sweet treat.

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Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 20

Cooling Time: 1

Total Time: 1 35

Servings: cupcakes

Equipment

Ingredients

Cupcakes

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup sugar
2 large eggs beaten
½ cup whole milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste
½ cup vegetable oil

Buttercream Frosting

4 cups powdered sugar sifted
1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
2-4 Tablespoon heavy whipping cream
1 tsp blue food coloring optional

Rainbow/Clouds

9 Airhead Xtremes Rainbow Berry Candy
72 Sugar pearls in white 8 per cupcake

Instructions

Begin by adding the flour to a bowl with the baking powder, salt, and sugar. Stir well to combine with a spoon or whisk.
Stirring in between each ingredient, add the milk, oil, and eggs to the flour mixture.
Add in the vanilla bean paste. Stir for 1-2 minutes to fully incorporate the paste throughout the batter.
Preheat the oven to 350F and place cupcake liners in a muffin pan. Using a large ice cream scoop filled ¾ of the way full, scoop the batter up and pour into the cupcake liner. Repeat with other cupcakes.
Bake for 20 minutes at 350F. Allow to cool completely.
While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the buttercream frosting. Add two sticks of softened butter into a large bowl. Sift four cups of powdered sugar on top of the butter. Using a hand mixer, start on a low speed to combine the butter and powdered sugar. A low speed ensures powdered sugar does not fly out of the bowl.
Increase the mixer to a medium speed and add the heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon at a time. Mix for 4-5 minutes until thickened. Then, add the food coloring and mix enough to combine, 1-2 minutes at a low speed.
Add the buttercream to a piping bag with a star tip (optional).
When the cupcakes have cooled off, cut two slits in the bread on opposite sides. These slits will serve to help your rainbow stand up on the cupcake. Place each edge in the slit to create an arch/rainbow.
Pipe the buttercream under the rainbow first and then around the edges of the cupcake.
Add the sugar pearls to the edges of the rainbow for the ‘clouds’.

Notes

The specks in the vanilla are normal with vanilla bean paste and will add a nice, distinguished vanilla flavoring to the cupcakes without being overpowering.
The shade of blue food coloring I used is named ‘sky blue’
When sifting large amounts of powdered sugar, it helps to press the powdered sugar through the sifter with your
fingers to speed up the process.

I DON’T HAVE VANILLA PASTE. HOW MUCH VANILLA EXTRACT SHOULD I USE?

You can use the same amount of vanilla extract if you don’t have the vanilla paste. Your cupcakes won’t have the flecks of vanilla and the flavor won’t be as strong.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND RAINBOW CANDY?

Airheads candy makes rainbow candy or you can look for other brands. Sometimes they’re called candy belts or sour strips. Look for them at the grocery store in the candy aisle or search for them online.

CAN YOU MAKE RAINBOW CUPCAKES AHEAD?

You can make and bake the cupcakes ahead. Once cooled, keep them in an airtight container for up to a day before decorating them. Or, you can freeze the plain cupcakes for up to a month and decorate them later.

Nutrition

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