Making colorful cupcakes is a fun way to brighten up your baking! You can achieve vibrant, multi-colored cupcakes by simply dividing the batter into sections and adding food coloring. Here’s a basic vanilla cupcake recipe with instructions on how to make different colors.
Prep Time
30
minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Serves
7
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk (any kind)
- For the Frosting (Optional):
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (your choice of colors)
Steps
Colorful Cupcake Recipe
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with paper liners (about 12 cupcakes).
2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Add Dry Ingredients and Milk:
Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the wet ingredients in two parts, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Divide the Batter:
Divide the batter into as many bowls as you have colors (typically 3-4 colors works well, but you can use more if you want).
7. Add Food Coloring:
Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl of batter and stir well to incorporate. You can use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors or liquid food coloring. Start with 3-4 drops and adjust to achieve the desired color.
8. Layer the Batter in the Cupcake Liners:
To create a layered, colorful effect, spoon the different colored batters into the cupcake liners. You can spoon each color on top of the other, or you can create a marbled effect by gently swirling the colors with a toothpick or knife.
9. Bake the Cupcakes:
Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Cool the Cupcakes:
Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optional Frosting (If You Want to Frost Your Cupcakes):
Ingredients for Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (same colors used in the cupcakes)
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with paper liners (about 12 cupcakes).
Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
