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
Hello,
Amazing!!! Amazing!!!!What a great job you did on these cupcakes. I wish that I could make something like that. My son would love those!!!
Thanks for sharing,
Christina
I made these for my son on his first birthday, And they were amazing! Thanks so much! I have told everyone I know about these cupcakes and also told them about your site! :]
I made these in Mardi Gras colors for my 30th (mardi gras themed) birthday party! They were awesome and soooo easy!
Kara- yellow cake mix is fine. Just use whole egg equivalents instead of egg whites. Colors are altered a bit but it works just fine.
I made a practice run of these. Going to make them for my son's birthday party next month (Noah's Ark theme). Everyone that I had try them said they liked them, I wasn't crazy about them though. I used a vanilla cake mix – white might turn out better, not sure. But my question is (to anyone who might have an opinion) do you think yellow cake mix would work with the food coloring? I love yellow cake, not so big on the plain white and want something fun and good for the party… any thoughts? Thinking if I add sour cream or vanilla yogurt to the yellow might not be quite so yellow… not sure though! Might just have to make another practice run. I'm sure my family members won't mind!
I love this recipe. But, I made it with yellow cake, and I didn't add any yogurt or anything, and they came out Tie-Dye! Pretty sweet!
I've also done this in Bundt pan – lots of oohs and ahhs!
I just made them for Sophie's 2nd birthday! Pink, purple and blue! Thanks Sarah. I'm so happy you started this! Say Hi to your Dad for me
Made these last night… AMAZING! Food coloring or not, I will always make my cupcakes using this recipe, it added sooo much to the cupcake. I was out of yogurt and scared of adding the sour cream, but it was perfect!!! Thank you!! PS: Can't wait to get your cookbook!!
Jaime- yes if you want them pastel either use less gel or a few drops of liquid. The cake will look pretty much like the batter does so just judge it that way