Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Cloud Frosting

Why You’ll Love This Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Cloud Frosting

Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Cloud Frosting are more than just a treat; they’re a celebration of color and flavor that steals the spotlight at any gathering. These whimsical cupcakes are infused with funfetti goodness and topped with fluffy, pillowy frosting that makes every bite a delightful experience. They’re perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or simply to bring a bit of joy into your day.

What is a Rainbow Cupcake with Vanilla Cloud Frosting

Rainbow Cupcakes are colorful, festive cupcakes made from scratch with a vanilla funfetti cake base. They are topped with a dreamy Vanilla Cloud Frosting and adorned with vibrant sour rainbow candy strips that create a fun and eye-catching dessert. Ideal for both kids and adults, these cupcakes are a blend of sweetness and creativity, making them a must-try recipe for any baking enthusiast.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Rainbow Cupcakes

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup yogurt (natural or Greek)
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup sprinkles
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk (or half and half)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Blue food coloring
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 12 3-inch rainbow candy sour strips (e.g., Airheads brand)
• 2 tablespoons sprinkles

Baking Your Rainbow Cupcakes

Preparing Your Oven and Cupcake Liners

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). While the oven warms up, line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners. This is not just a formality; it ensures your cupcakes will bake evenly and come out easily.

Creating the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric hand mixer on medium speed until the mixture becomes light in color and smooth. Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and yogurt until everything is fully combined.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add about one-third of this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing until you see no dry flour. Then, keep adding the remaining dry ingredients along with the sprinkles, mixing just until combined. Don’t worry if there are a few lumps; it’s better to under-mix than to over-mix.

Filling the Cupcake Liners

Now it’s time to fill the cupcake liners. Spoon the batter into each lined cupcake liner, filling each about halfway to two-thirds full. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. To check if they’re ready, insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, they’re done! Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before you start decorating.

Frosting Your Cupcakes

Preparing the Vanilla Cloud Frosting

Let’s whip up that dreamy frosting! In a large bowl, cream the softened butter until it’s smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating well until it’s thoroughly incorporated. Mix in the salt, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. That’s how you achieve that perfect, smooth frosting consistency. If it feels too thick, don’t hesitate to add a little more cream until it’s pipeable.

Coloring the Frosting

To make it visually appealing, set aside about ¼ cup of this buttercream to keep it white. Add blue food coloring to the remaining frosting. Mix until you achieve your desired shade of blue. A little goes a long way, so add slowly.

Decorating Your Rainbow Cupcakes

Here comes the fun part! Grab a piping bag fitted with a Wilton Tip #2D (Closed Star Tip). Start in the center of each cupcake and pipe a continuous spiral to cover the entire top. For some fluffy cloud effects, use a Wilton Tip #12 to pipe clouds of white frosting around the bottom of the rainbow strips.

Serving Suggestions for Rainbow Cupcakes

Rainbow Cupcakes truly shine at birthday parties, holiday gatherings, or as a surprise treat for loved ones. Pair them with a tall glass of milk or serve alongside a vibrant fruit salad to balance out the sweetness. They will surely steal the show!

Tips for Success with Rainbow Cupcakes

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
• Don’t Overmix: Avoid overmixing your batter; this keeps the cupcakes light and fluffy.
• Sprinkle Fun: For added fun, use an array of colored sprinkles to make these cupcakes even more exciting.

Variations on Rainbow Cupcakes

Want to mix things up? For a twist, consider making chocolate rainbow cupcakes by replacing half of the all-purpose flour with cocoa powder. You can also play with different flavored extracts in the frosting, like almond or lemon, to create a personalized touch.

Storage Tips for Rainbow Cupcakes

If you have any leftover cupcakes, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or keep them refrigerated for up to a week. You can freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to three months; just let them thaw completely before decorating to enjoy the full flavor.

FAQs

Can I use cake mix instead of making the batter from scratch?

Yes! If you’re short on time, you can use a vanilla cake mix, just follow the package instructions and add sprinkles for that funfetti twist.

How can I make the frosting in advance?

You can prepare the frosting up to two days ahead. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and let it come to room temperature before you use it.

What if I don’t have sour candy strips for decoration?

Don’t worry! You can substitute with any other colorful candy or edible decorations, like rainbow sprinkles or colorful frosting.

Can I use non-dairy substitutes in the recipe?

Absolutely! You can replace butter with vegan butter and use non-dairy yogurt and milk alternatives to make this recipe dairy-free.

How can I achieve stronger colors in my frosting and cupcakes?

To enhance the brightness, add more food coloring gradually until you reach your desired shade. For the cupcakes, blend a variety of sprinkles to boost color excitingly and variably.

Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Cloud Frosting are a vibrant, joyful recipe that will delight both the eyes and taste buds. Baking these colorful treats is not only a culinary adventure but also a heartwarming way to connect with friends and family. This recipe is fun and straightforward, perfect for anyone looking to infuse creativity and flavor into their baking! Enjoy every delicious bite!

More Easy Desserts Recipes:

• No-Bake Chocolate Éclair Cake
• Bakery Buttercream Frosting
• White Buttermilk Texas Sheet Cake
• Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies

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Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Cloud Frosting

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These Rainbow Cupcakes are a festive delight, featuring a funfetti cake and topped with dreamy Vanilla Cloud Frosting, making them ideal for any celebration.

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup yogurt (natural or Greek)
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup sprinkles
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk (or half and half)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Blue food coloring
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 12 3-inch rainbow candy sour strips (e.g., Airheads brand)
• 2 tablespoons sprinkles

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
• Cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and smooth.
• Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and yogurt until combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients with sprinkles.
• Fill each cupcake liner halfway, bake for 20 minutes, and cool completely.
• For frosting, cream softened butter and gradually add powdered sugar until smooth.
• Mix in salt, vanilla extract, and heavy cream to achieve desired consistency.
• Add blue food coloring to most of the frosting, leaving a portion white.
• Pipe frosting on cooled cupcakes and decorate with rainbow candy strips.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing.
Avoid overmixing the batter for fluffy cupcakes.
Feel free to use various colored sprinkles for extra fun.

• Author: Martha
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 20
• Sodium: 170
• Fat: 10
• Saturated Fat: 5
• Unsaturated Fat: 3
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 38
• Fiber: 0
• Protein: 2
• Cholesterol: 38