Description
Magical mermaid cupcakes sparkle with ocean-inspired blue and green frosting, crowned with shimmering scales and pearl decorations. Coastal charm meets sweet delight in these whimsical treats you’ll treasure at beach-themed parties or summer celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 box vanilla or funfetti cake mix
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
Cake Mix Additional Ingredients:
- 2–3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
Flavor and Decorative Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Food coloring (teal, purple, and pink)
- Cupcake liners
Decorative Toppings:
- Edible glitter or shimmer dust
- Mermaid tail toppers
- Pearl sprinkles or colored sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and arranging cupcake liners in a standard muffin pan.
- Follow cake mix package instructions precisely, incorporating vanilla extract for enhanced flavor profile.
- Fill each cupcake liner approximately two-thirds full, ensuring even distribution of batter.
- Bake cupcakes for 18-22 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack, preventing moisture condensation.
- Create buttercream frosting by whipping butter until airy and light, gradually integrating powdered sugar.
- Adjust frosting consistency with milk, blending until smooth and spreadable.
- Incorporate vanilla extract into frosting mixture for additional depth of flavor.
- Divide frosting into separate bowls, experimenting with aquatic-inspired food coloring shades like turquoise, seafoam green, and iridescent blue.
- Select a large star piping tip and carefully layer different colored frostings side by side within the piping bag.
- Apply frosting to cupcake surfaces using circular swirling motions, creating a dynamic, oceanic appearance.
- Embellish with decorative mermaid tail fondant shapes, edible glitter, and delicate pearl sprinkles for magical underwater aesthetic.
Notes
- Customize cake mix by adding extra vanilla or almond extract for deeper flavor complexity.
- Ensure ingredients are room temperature for smoother batter and more even baking results.
- Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for more vibrant, intense mermaid-inspired frosting colors without altering consistency.
- Freeze cupcakes briefly before frosting to create cleaner, more defined swirl patterns and prevent crumbling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg