Rainbow Cupcakes

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love rainbows.  I think it started when I was young and enthralled with the movie The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy singing that iconic song, Over the Rainbow.  Ok, to be honest, I'm still enthralled with that movie and rainbows. *I may have a pair of red glittered shoes that my sister thrifted for me recently - my own ruby slippers. So when I saw these cupcakes, they appealed to the inner child in me...and I knew they'd be a great addition to the St. Patrick's Day party my sister and I are hosting.


 I dare you to be in a bad mood after looking at this cupcake. 
 

Yes, it can be a bit time consuming to individually color six mini-batches of batter.  It's worth it. The recipe (linked to below) will tell you how much food coloring to use for each color.


Placing the batter into the cups it tricky.  I used an offset spatula to spread each layer of batter over the previous layer.  You want to try and cover up the previous layer as much as possible.  If you really want to to get even layers, you might also try piping the batter into the cups using a large tip. 


I must admit that for the sake of time, I did not make the batter from scratch but instead used a Betty Crocker white cake mix.  


What about the frosting, you say? I haven't decided yet whether to use whip cream or a  marshmallow mixture to create a "cloud" of frosting.  What's your vote? 

Recipe

123 comments

I don't think I've ever had marshmallow frosting but I am a sucker for whip cream frosting!
Vicki Wilde said…
These cupcakes are so much fun! You definitely need some simple white marshmallow frosting on the top.
Anonymous said…
marshmallow frosting, i think it would look more realistic and last longer. plus i like the taste better. thanks for sharing
Unknown said…
marshmallow for sure! It'll make a nice cloud shape and won't melt. Whip Cream melts in Room Temperature. GREAT photos of these cupcakes by the way; I can't WAIT to make them!
Anonymous said…
Marshmallow mixture :)
Anonymous said…
I have made these for the last 2 St patty's Day with my 4 yr old,and although we start out trying to keep the colors seperate,eventually they end up looking like tie-dyed cupcakes. My peanut says,"That's OK Mom ,my friends are 3,they'll eat anything."
Making Lemonade said…
I love it!!! Thank you so much for sharing! I can't wait to do these with my daughter!
Kitschnbake said…
This deserves an Italian Meringue Topping - fab cake, well done!
Anonymous said…
Oh and I also used Gold colored frosting to make it seem like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Brandy said…
I like the marshmallow cloud idea! =)
Brook said…
I vote whip cream. These are really neat. Thank you for sharing. I saw it on the Betty Crocker facebook page.
Kitschnbake said…
This fabulous cake deserves an Italian Meringue Topping! Brilliant!
Anonymous said…
I say maybe a creamcheese icing, or the marshmellow would be good or even a lemon....
Nikita Blue said…
Whipped cream is yummy no matter what!! Those look fantastic!!
Anonymous said…
Definitely marshmallow!

I love these cupcakes!
Michelle said…
Whip Cream! Marshmallow! ummmm either would be wonderful! These look amazing!
Unknown said…
This is the coolest cupcake ever! Cant wait to make mine. I'd say make a cloud on top
Anonymous said…
i vote for marshmello frosting!
Autumn said…
I like the cloud idea :). Love the cupcake going to have to try this one out
Anonymous said…
marshmallow mixture :)
Anonymous said…
Nothing, leave as is. they are soooo pretty.
Dielle said…
Love it! I don't think I'd frost them at all. They're gorgeous!
Pauline said…
Omgosh!! These are adorable.. I am going to make these with my 4 1/2 year old grandson who loves to bake with Nana.. Thanks!!
Diana said…
Wow...sooo pretty! I love this idea. My kids will, too! I think I would go with either whip cream or a plain white frosting. That's just me, as I am not really a marshmallow person.
Anonymous said…
I found this link for icing that would be a fun addition to your cupcakes. http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/09/18/colorful-swirled-cupcakes/
Randee said…
I absolutly luv luv LOVE this idea, Thank you soooo much for sharing!!! My sisters bday is Friday, I am definitally making her a batch of these!!!!
Anonymous said…
Marshmallow Cloud!!
Anonymous said…
These are sooooo cute. Love them and I might just have to try them. As for the frosting my vote it Cream Cheese. Happy eating.
Anonymous said…
Marshmallow!
Anonymous said…
Very cool....i would use cool whip and multi colored sprinkles for sure!
Anonymous said…
whipped cream cheese frosting with rainbow confetti sprinkles :-D
Angela said…
Whatever the frosting it should them be dipped in Sugar crystals. :)
Lashae Karsin said…
These are simply too adorable!! I will definitely be making these. I love your blog♥ !
Anonymous said…
these are GORGEOUS!!! LOT OF WORK THO, HUH? WHAT ABOUT MAKING IN AN ANGEL FOOD/BUNDT CAKE PAN
AshleyRae said…
just found your blog through FoodGawker... and i think Marshmallow mixture would be a great topper to this! :) have a great day!
cardsfan409 said…
WOW!!! Those look amazing! I will definitely have to try this out! I think you should totally do a marshmallow topping!!! YUMMY!!
Ashley said…
These are amazing! Thanks!
Anonymous said…
I made these for my daughter about 6 months ago but the turned out pastel. Pretty pastel, but I LOVE the RICHNESS of your colors. How did you get them this bright?
Anonymous said…
for a rainbow, make cloud icing. that would be the only way to go.
Anonymous said…
Pretty!
KeytaKat said…
I love the cloud idea these are too cute
Ceci said…
Beautiful and colorful! love this!
Unknown said…
My daycare kiddos would love these!
Anonymous said…
these looks AWESOME!!! I say use Marshmallow!!
This is such an awesome post! I love the colors and everything! Great idea to pipe it in. I may try that! I think the "whip cream" sounds tastier to me but will have to remain refrigerated. So in that case, I would probably suggest the marshmallow cloud! I can't wait to try this! But guess what? I'll just use white icing and pipe it on in a swirl.
JudesC said…
These are great! I am definitely going to try them, or at least a variation of them. Any tips for the type of coloring, gel or drops, and approximately how much per color?
Anonymous said…
whipped cream frosing, how do you make it?
SC said…
Marshmallow will be sweeter than whip cream, so I would say that should determine which one.
Anonymous said…
MARSHMALLOW!!
Anonymous said…
rainbow frosting. layer your icing colors in a piping bag, just like you did your cupcakes with an appropriate tip and squirt and see what happens! very cool.
Naomy said…
Mmm Whip cream!
A. Page said…
LOVE these! I think I would frost them with a cotton candy frosting and garnish with some more cotton candy! Or fins some cute Wizard of Oz cupcake pics..Over the Rainbow
Anonymous said…
Those look incredible!!!! Thanks for sharing! My 4yr old just decided he wants those for his 5th birthday party instead of a cake. I don't think I can wait till July to try them out though. May have to make a trial batch. Thanks again!
Brooke said…
those look so yummy! And kiddish!
lisa salcius said…
Im not seeing the link to the recipe...my daughter is obsessed with rainbows also and would like to make these for her youth group..
thanks
lisa wygant salcius
Love this idea! I'll definitely do this with my girls for St. Patty's Day.
Nieves said…
How do you get such brillant colors without it tasting like too much food coloring?
Anonymous said…
For the frosting i think pouring a thin layer of chocolate ganache on the rest of the cupcake is hidden by the paper. then when you open up the cupcake the layers of rainbow are exposed
Candice said…
i vote marshmallow cream frosting. I'd be afraid the whipped cream would melt & make the cupcake all soggy. However, the whipped cream may be easier to work with (less sticky) & would definately taste like a cloud :o). Unless you are talking about a whip cream frosting & not actual "whipped cream". Definately something white in color tho. Ooo! or if you didn't want to cover the red you could take the top off & put the icing between, kinda like a sandwich! Just wouldn't want to Completely cover the red if it was iced on top. These look awesome!
Candice said…
if this is for St. Patty's, what are you gonna use as the "gold at the end of the rainbow"? LOL
Lily Petals said…
Whipped cream is my vote! Thank you for sharing. I am totally making these!
Unknown said…
How about marshmallow and if you can find them, little "gold" sprinkles or sanding sugar.
Betsy said…
These cupcakes are stunning. I think I need to make some soon! Beautiful pics.
Anonymous said…
They're GORGEOUS!!!
Jim said…
Gorgeous photos of what I'll imagine were delicious cupcakes. "Cloud of frosting." Fantastic.
Shelby said…
These are great! I am a fan of rainbows, too, for the same reason, and I vote marshmallow!
Unknown said…
You Can Buy Whipped Icing and I always Take a Spatula and Mix It Up and It Gives It Extra Fluff I Think It Is Made By Betty Crocker Not Sure Though Anyways Its Good
Anonymous said…
These are awesome and so fun. I say pipe out little circles/drops or swirls, to look like clouds. Maybe airbrush in a little blue to the top of the frosting.
the Chacogirl said…
I just saw your link on Betty Crocker's facebook page and had to comment here because just yesterday I made a rainbow angel food cake! It turned out great! Your cupcakes look so happy!!!
Oh, I am so making these with my girls! And my vote is for whipped cream on top!
Cindy said…
These cupcakes look beautiful! Can you share the recipe, i.e. how much food coloring to use for each?
vnbmrtw said…
these cupcakes are gorgeous! what an inventive, creative baker you are. i would use a classic seven minute frosting to make your cloud on top, but that is purely my humble opinion.
Anonymous said…
I vote marshmallow
Anita Ramirez said…
These are so cute. I cant wait to make them. I am also going to make them for my daughter's 70's day they have at school. Super CUTE thanks
Julie said…
linked from Betty Crocker on FB, this is one of my favorite treats for my kiddos, they love it! I make it in a bundt cake pan, start by layering the red first and then continue ROYGBIV order putting each layer in the center directly on top. When all is said and done when you cut the cake you get a perfect rainbow arch!
Lisa McVay said…
These look really fun! And I would go with the marshmallow mixture for frosting. :D
Unknown said…
I vote Rainbow Chip frosting, to continue the theme :)
Unknown said…
Not sure?? Wouldn't the marshmallow icing last longer...thinking the whipped creme would melt??! These cupcakes are tooo cute! Will try them with the grand-daughters when they come next week!! Thanks!
mickeyrenee said…
These look so vibrant and beautiful! They would be perfect to send to school for my husband's students on St. Patrick's Day.
Hope McCoy said…
These cakes are beautiful! Who can't resist? A turkey baster might work well for more even layers of batter. And.. I would go for the marshmallow icing!
Anonymous said…
Marshmellow like a could!! Or even sprinkle all colors of mini mm's or nerds etc. Sooo fun!!!!
Whitney L said…
I have made these before, they turned out so very cute. For icing I mixed icing colors as well they looked like a mess which meant the kids lived it!
Jaimie said…
Marshmallow! New follower here! These are adorable!
Amber Hoffman said…
I think this cup cake does not need any frosting at all But if you add any at all find a way for it to be like a glazed donut so that it's clear
Heather said…
These are the only cupcakes we make anymore! :o) They are time consuming but so worth every moment! We have used both a whipped frosting and marshmallow mixture and it seems the folks preferred whipped.. Have fun at your party!

p.s. you can layer any colors for fun cupcakes to match ur party theme and adding a chocolate coin on top of the rainbows really add a nice touch for St. Patty's day :o)
Anonymous said…
These look so pretty and yummy! I think I'm going to give these a try this weekend. Got to get creative for my niece's 16th bday party coming up in August.
Anonymous said…
Marshmallow! They are such cute cupcakes. I might have to make these this weekend :)
Colleen said…
Definitely a marshmellow cloud!
Anonymous said…
What about a rainbow chip frosting? Mmmm these look delicious!
MaddieBoom said…
I would say cream cheese frosting.
mammie said…
I am in Friendswood,Tx.Right by Houston. My mother was a baker professionly, I bake, and my daughter is also. I love these cupcakes. You are right they make you happy just to look at them. It is a drab,dreary,day here,and they brightened. I have four grandchildren and I bake with them. They are nine,seven,four,and two.I can't wait to let them try these. Thanx and God Bless.
Anonymous said…
marshmallow! :)
Cathy said…
How about a marshmallow cream?
Anonymous said…
i think kids would love marshmellow
Anonymous said…
Buttercream, of course!
Anonymous said…
Wish I would have thought about this earlier. Would have made awesome cupcakes for Mardi Gras. Only do them in yellow,green and purple. Maybe next year.
Anonymous said…
those look so awesome....with so much of the bright colors and tyedye on everything these go perfect for any color scheme!!YEAH can't wait to try them...how fun for christmas too maybe
Unknown said…
You can use a cream cheese icing and colour it blue as the sky or add in some marshmallow creme for thickness and lightening.
WOW! Im impressed. need to try this out. Thanks for sharing.
Unknown said…
Where's the link for the amount of coloring to use?
Anonymous said…
I love it! I try to find something like that for a 60's years OMG you make me happy. i get it.
Lynette said…
LOL! I made these last year (saw them on FamilyFun.com) and yes, they were horribly time consuming. Not the dyeing of the batter, but the pouring into the individual muffin pans. I swore I'd never make these again, until about 2 weeks ago I read a tip from someone who made a version with red, white and pink for valentines day. She used small baggies, added the batter and snipped the tips to pour the batter! Trying it again next week for St. Patty's Day!
Lynette said…
LOL! I did these last year (discovered them on Familyfun.com) and yes they were quite labor intensive! Not from dyeing the batter, but from pouring the batter into each individual muffin tin! I said I wouldn't make them again, until two weeks ago I saw a tip from a lady who made a version using red, white and pink for some v-day cupcakes. She put the batter into individual baggies, snipped the tip and then poured it in! I will be making these again, using that tip, for St. Patty's Day next week!
Lynette said…
Oh, and my vote is always Vanilla Buttercream for frosting!
Looks great. Top with a marshmallow cloud with either clover sprinkles or gold flakes! I can't wait to make these
dawn said…
Talk about fun cupcakes!!!! What a super idea for kids...big or small.
dawn said…
p.s. As for the frosting I would say the marshmallow has my vote (and the kids I am sure).
Kim said…
Love the cupcakes!my vote Vanilla Buttercream frosting
Anonymous said…
pillow of marshmallow cream, with cupcake placed on edge, so rainbow is lifting off from the cloud.
Unknown said…
I absolutely LOVE this idea :) Thanks for sharing!!
Anonymous said…
cream cheese frosting yummy!
Rivki Locker said…
LOVE these cupcakes and am so pleased to have come across your blog on foodgawker. What fantastic vibrant colors. Great for a kids' birthday too.
Rivki @ Healthy Eating for Ordinary People
Donna said…
You could color the icing and put stripes or dots on the white icing to keep the rainbow effect.
Anonymous said…
This is just a great idea!!! I MUST share this with my students.
Elizabeth said…
@Anonymous
Hello - I used a few extra drops beyond what's called for in the recipe..seemed to work for me and didn't affect the taste. Thanks for visiting!
Elizabeth said…
@Judy
I'm glad you're going to try them!
If you check the recipe, there's a chart included that shows you how many drops of liquid food coloring to use. I added a few extra drops beyond their recommendations. If you decide to use fewer colors, you'll potentially have more batter for each color and therefore may need to increase the food coloring more. (I didn't use gels, although I may try them next time.)
Elizabeth said…
@Anonymous
What I was really referring to was just whipped cream on the top of each cupcake since it resembles a cloud. Not a special recipe for whipped cream frosting. Enjoy!
Elizabeth said…
@Anonymous
Great idea! May try that.
Elizabeth said…
@Anonymous
You're welcome! We expect to have quite a few kids @ the St. Patty's day party and I'm excited to see their reactions, too. Have fun with them!
Elizabeth said…
@Nieves I didn't taste food coloring at all - in fact, I was really pleased with the taste and texture of the Betty Crocker mix. I normally would make cakes from scratch, but I knew the coloring of the batter would take a while, so I decided to use a shortcut in Betty Crocker.
I used a few extra drops of food coloring for each color, but that was all.
Hope you enjoy!
Elizabeth said…
@Anonymous Yes! This thought came to me later and I'm still considering it...love the element of surprise!
Elizabeth said…
@Cindy
The recipe (including how much food coloring to use) is linked at the end of the post. But here's the link to make it easy.

tase a rainbow

Hope you enjoy!
Donna M. Fuller said…
I googled and found a great receipe. It used a white cake mix, and sour cream and milk in place of the water. I wanted it to be extra flavorful so I squeezed some fresh orange juice into the batter along with some orange zest, and threw in some rum extract. I would have used almond, but didn't have any. It was delicious!! Just google Rainbow cupcakes and you can find the recipe.