Rainbow Cupcakes Recipe
Who says baking can’t be a rainbow of fun? This colourful Rainbow Cupcake Recipe is the perfect treat for kids!
Let your little chefs help mix, layer, and decorate their very own colourful cupcakes with buttercream icing.
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
- 110g unsalted butter (softened)
- 110g caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 150g self-raising flour
- 1-2 tbsp milk (for desired batter consistency)
- Pinch of salt
- Food colouring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
For the Buttercream Icing:
- 100g unsalted butter (softened)
- 200g icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk (to adjust consistency)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 180°C (160°C for fan ovens) or 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tray with paper cupcake liners.
2. Make the cupcake batter: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is a fun step for kids to help with! Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract.
3. Add the dry ingredients: Mix in the self-raising flour and a pinch of salt. Add a little milk (1-2 tbsp) if the batter feels too thick, until you have a smooth batter.
4. Divide the batter: Divide the batter evenly into 6 small bowls. This is where the fun begins! Add a few drops of different food colouring to each bowl, one colour per bowl. Stir the batter until the colours are vibrant and well mixed.
5. Layer the batter: Start layering the coloured batter into the cupcake cases, one spoonful of each colour at a time. Gently spoon each colour on top of the other, without mixing, to create vibrant layers. You can alternate the colours in the order of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) or let the kids choose their favourite order. Fill each case about 2/3 full.
6. Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. The cupcakes will rise and have a beautiful rainbow inside! Let them cool in the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Make the buttercream icing: While the cupcakes cool, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the icing sugar, a spoonful at a time, until fully combined. Add the vanilla extract and a little milk to adjust the consistency. Beat until fluffy and smooth. If you like, you can also add a few drops of food colouring to the icing for a fun effect!
8. Decorate: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the colourful buttercream icing onto the cupcakes. Top with sprinkles, edible glitter, or extra rainbow-colored decorations for that extra sparkle!