My Mom is a really creative woman. I didn’t realize it until I grew up and became a mother myself. Now that I look back on the birthday parties she threw and the incredible cakes she created, I’m really amazed at the things she came up with back in the day when you couldn’t run to Target or Walmart and basically buy a party in a bag. Halloween costumes were no exception. We never, ever had store-bought costumes growing up. My Mom was a great seamstress and her creativity had no boundaries. I look at old family pictures and I love how she took simple ideas and turned them into something fun. Take me for example, around age 5:
That my friends, is a rainbow. And I thought it was the coolest costume ever. I was obsessed with this chick, and if you look at every picture I ever created out of any sort of art media between the ages of 3 and 9, it undoubtedly included 3 things: hearts, flowers, and rainbows. To this day, I still get a little bit giddy inside when I see all of those colors together. Something about rainbows just makes me happy.
So it’s no wonder these cupcakes make me smile. Every time 🙂
Gel food colors work especially well for this. Gel color adds a ton of color with a small amount of dye. You can find gel colors at craft stores like Michaels and Roberts, and in the cake decorating isle of Walmart. If using red, make sure to get the one that says “No Taste”
Divide your batter and tint each one
Then layer it by color into the cupcake papers. (See my tips in the recipe for easy layering). Sometimes I do red on top and sometimes I do the reverse so blue is on top.
Bake them up
And cool them on a rack before frosting.
Then you can frost and decorate to your heart’s desire!
The best part comes when you peel off that paper. Use white liners to show off the colors, or foil or dark liners to make it a surprise!
Even better is taking the first bite and seeing the inside:
Try them with the color of your favorite sports team, or your kids’ school colors. They’re sure to be a hit!
Colorburst Cupcakes
1 white cake mix
2 eggs
1 C yogurt (any smooth textured fruit flavor is fine!) or sour cream
1/2 C milk
1/3 C vegetable oil
Combine all ingredients until incorporated (about 30 seconds). Scrape sides of bowl and then beat on med-high speed for 2 minutes.
Divide batter according to how many colors you are using. I used 5 colors and it worked out to a little over 1 cup for each color, but each cake brand will be slightly different.
Use food coloring to color batter to desired intensity.
To get a layered stripe like I used, you’ll want to put a spoonful of each color in the cupcake one at a time. The batter is thick, so it won’t spread on it’s own. A great tip is to set out a little bowl of water where you’re working. Dip your finger in the water and then gently spread the batter out. The water will make it so the batter doesn’t stick to your fingers.
Another tip is to use a measuring spoon and some water to measure out how many teaspoons/tablespoons are going to fit in your cupcake. Then divide that by how many colors you have so you know how much of each color to use for each cupcake. For my 5 colors, it worked out perfectly with 2 t of each color in each cupcake. So I put in 2 t of blue in the bottom of each cupcake and spread it out with my finger. Then I put in 2 t of green on top of that, then yellow, etc.
Bake them according to the package directions, until a toothpick comes out dry.
I topped mine with this frosting.
Questions & Reviews
I am SO glad I found these cupcakes! My daughter will love this. I am going to try it with one large cupcake cake pan for her birthday in May!! Thank you for sharing!
We made these today to celebrate St. Patty's day. These represented the pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous cupcakes! I saw this on family fun too, but I think I will try your cupcake recipe instead of just a regular box mix. The swirls you put on top look great! Thanks for sharing this!
I made these but with neon food dye… they turned out amazingly epic! I ended up bringing these around to a couple bars and people LOVED them! Best birthday cupcakes ever!
I love this idea. This is so simple but SO impressive!
Cupcakes are my thing!! Love these! Might be just what I do for for littest ones first b-day later this month!
Oh wow…Thank you so much! You've really helped me out!
Nik, you can bake and frost them tonight, just store at room temp and you should be good to go!
Hi There!
I have been so excited to make these for my sons first birthday. I have been waiting about a month and now the day is here and I am a little nervous. I am not really the baking or cooking type but since my son has been eating table foods I have developed a real love for it actually. Anyway, that being said I need some advice. I would like to make these tonight for his party tomorrow. Yeah, I'm a little late on the nervousness…probably should have figured this out a while ago. : ) I am going to make the recipe as it is on the box and I am making both regular size and minis using the Wilton Gel Color. Probably 12 regular and then however many left in minis. My questions are, what is the best way to do these in advance? Is there a best way to store them? Should I make the frosting the night before? Should I frost the night before? 😀
Sorry for all the questions….I just really want it to turn out well. Any advice would be so appreciated.
Also I have to say, I love this site. I have found so many fun things I would like to try!
Thanks so much in advance!
Oh, and I am going to use the frosting you put on them too. I've been looking for a light frosting that is like my local cupcake bakery without having to spend a fortune. 😀
ever thought of putting a mini marshmallow into the cupcake and baking it? ..just wondering if anyone has ever tried it!
I just made these last week for YW in Excellence and New Beginnings! They were a hit! Even the Dad's were asking for the recipe and how I did it! LOVE IT!
Callie-
The only gel color I've ever used is Wilton, so I can't weigh in about other brands. But with any gel color, you just have to keep adding it to get a more intense color.
I've never had a browning problem, so it might be the pan you used.
As for the tops- ya that would be a lot of frosting for little kids (I know because the ones pictured were for my one year old's birthday!) You can still pipe it on, just do a single swirl on top and not a big ol' pile like I did. Or you could just spread some on with a knife. A single batch should be just enough for that.
Hope that helps and have a fun party!
Just got done baking these for my daughter's 2year birthday party later today. I did a test run earlier this week, so I already know that these taste great, and she loved them. (not to mention her daddy 😉 ) But I do have a few questions…
I used the Betty Crocker gels and they didn't turn out as vibrant as yours and some of the others I've seen posted. I'm just wondering if this is because you used Wiltons? I remember my mom always having them and being awesome, but I couldn't find them for this.
I did have some browning on the bottom, but from reading through some other treads I see that it seems to be a chance thing so far.
I was wondering about the frosting. The one you posted looks great, but I think it might be a little too much for us right now. So I was wondering if I don't do the high tops and do just a single batch should I still try piping it on or just use my frosting knife? Cuase I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how I'd pip it on an not have it be a lot.
Excuse my rambling, I always do it when I have a big day ahead of me. And don't worry if you don't get back to me in time for the party, I'll come up with something and have what ever advice is given for next time. 🙂
Cheers, Callie
Meghan, try giving your cupcake liners a quick spritz of non-stick spray before putting in the batter.
Your color scheme sounds adorable!
Okay, I totally want to make these for my daughters first birthday next weekend! I'm SO excited! I'm thinking pink, yellow, and green! So Fun!!! I can't wait to try that frosting too! I do have a question though. Is it just me or do others cupcake liners always stick to the cupcake and end up leaving me with only about 1/2 of the actual cake part? It's frustrating. Any tips?
I really like the idea of this; the only thing I wonder about is if they will make my guests as uncomfortable with the rainbow/homosexual connection as you appeared to be in this post. Thank you, however, for avoiding the easy "I'm not gay, but…" leader usually used. And, thank goodness baking, cooking, and kitchens in general tend to not discriminate!
I do love your site and recipes, I just wished this one didn't come with awkward declarations of sexuality in general.
Thanks for the great idea. My 18 yr old is really going to like this one. I plan to make them for her 19th birthday coming up in a few months.
I am making these right now. Just waiting on them to cool so I can frost. Mmmm. Usually I don't get that excited about cupcakes, but I think you may have changed my mind. These are sooo cute. I am addicted to your site I might add! Oops have to run my timer just went off for the second pan 🙂
I made these for my daughter to share with her friends for a birthday and she loved them. She insisted we make them for her little brother too. I found that you need to use a top quality food coloring paste/gel if you want vibrant colors. I used the little generic tubes for my sons and the colors were really disappointing.
You should send this idea to Family Fun Magazine! Your blog is seriously so DELICIOUS! I've spent over an hour on here tonight just pouring over different things. The photography is simply stunning too. You two should be paid! If you are, that's great! I love these cupcakes-truly brilliant and gorgeous!
Just made these cupcakes today and they were wonderful. I like how the sour cream makes them really moist. And I made the frosting and it was sooo good! Love your website!
Thank you! I already went out and got everything! I can't wait to make them… we are having a huge carnival party, and these are going to go perfectly with everything!
Stacia- you should actually be able to find most of that stuff in the baking isle of a normal grocery store. Grocery stores don't usually carry Wilton gel colors, but there's another brand (betty crocker I think?) that makes a small pack sold at grocery stores. I found these specific cupcake liners, candles, and sprinkles at Walmart. If you're having trouble finding stuff, check a craft store that carries baking supplies. Good luck!
I want to make these for my daughters 3rd birthday in a month, but I can't find those sprinkles or cupcake liners, or food coloring gel anywhere! Can you tell me where you got that stuff? I absolutely LOVE how these look, and I'd like to get my to look as close as I can to what you did. Thanks!
Thank you for this recipe! I…er, my kids were so giddy with excitement when they saw what I was doing. The hardest part is that we are holding out on frosting and eating them for another couple of days. I included it in a recent post, my pics are nowhere near the gorgeousness of yours, neither were the cupcakes. Thanks again!
http://champagnewishesandcoupondreams.blogspot.com/2009/08/cupcakes-menus.html
I made jumbo versions of these for a bake sale, and they were a hit! They sold faaaast! Thanks 🙂
http://fuzzykoalacakecompany.blogspot.com/2009/08/bake-sale-tip-colorful-items-sell.html
A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!
I can't wait to share this recipe with my readers.
nicole you can also use koolaid instead of food coloring then nothing special to buy but if use koolaid use sugar free and when u seperate to equal parts #depends on how many colors u want use one pack of sugar free koolaid and 3TBSP sugar to each color and u can use a reg white cake mix per directions on the mix if ur kids like sour things use less sugar gives a lil kick but still very good just another idea
We made these yesterday & they were a huge hit with the kids. They loved helping me make them, too.
these are gorgeous! thanks so much for the idea.