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Rainbow Cupcakes

5 from 1 vote
Bree HesterBy Bree Hester
Bree Hester
Bree Hester Founder of Baked Bree

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. O…

Expertise: Recipe developer, food photographer and writer View all posts →
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I love involving my kids when baking, and this time we got to make some bright-colored rainbow cupcakes that they wanted to top with whipped cream! Yummy!

Vibrant rainbow cupcakes with whipped frosting on a textured cloth.

Why I decided to make the cupcakes

You have a playdate, and there are 4 children and 1 adult. How do you keep them busy and keep them from burning the house down? Cook with them. I found this recipe in the back of the March issue of Family Fun magazine and knew that it could buy me at least a half an hour. I did get a half an hour out of it, and we all had a very good time making these. No fighting, no screaming, no meltdowns. All fun.

Colorful ice cream or fro-yo toppings in bowls on blue table with children gathered around.

Ingredients

How to mix the colors

  • To make purple:  9 red and 6 blue drops
  • To make blue:  12 drops
  • To make green:  12 drops
  • To make yellow:  12 drops
  • To make orange:  12 yellow and 4 red drops
  • To make red:  18 drops

edited 6/12 – I have made these many, many times, and gel food coloring gives a richer, brighter color. Both methods are the same, but the color will be more intense with gel.

Colorful cupcakes with pink frosting in lined baking cups, ready for baking or serving.

Instructions

Step 1: Start with a box of white cake mix. Make it according to the directions on the box. Separate it into 6 bowls. Get out some plain old food coloring and get to work. Make the kids count it out for you.

Step 2: Put the kids to work and mix until all one color.

Step 3: Starting with purple, drop a heaping tablespoon of batter into a paper lined muffin tin. Smooth it out a bit before you add the next color. Repeat until you get to through all of the colors. Spread the red evenly over the top so that it looks like the cupcake is only red (there will be a nice surprise when they take a bite). Bake and let cool.

Step 4: Frost with your frosting of choice. I had a can of Rainbow Chip laying around and I was feeling lazy. Kids don’t really care if it is real buttercream. They don’t judge.

Colorful rainbow cupcake with vibrant frosting and whipped cream topping, perfect for celebrations and dessert lovers.

Your little leprechauns will love making these and sharing them with their friends. Perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day party.

Vibrant rainbow cupcake held by smiling child at birthday party.
Vibrant rainbow cupcakes with whipped frosting on a textured cloth.

Rainbow Cupcakes

Bree Hester
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 18 minutes mins
Total Time 48 minutes mins
Course cupcakes
Cuisine baking
Servings 24 cupcakes
Calories 145 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • To make purple: 9 red and 6 blue drops
  • To make blue: 12 drops
  • To make green: 12 drops
  • To make yellow: 12 drops
  • To make orange: 12 yellow and 4 red drops
  • To make red: 18 drops
  • 1 box of white cake mix (15 oz)
  • 2 cups frosting

Instructions
 

  • Start with a box of white cake mix. Make it according to the directions on the box. Separate it into 6 bowls. Get out some plain old food coloring and get to work. Make the kids count it out for you.
    Colorful tie-dye baking activity with children making vibrant patterns in bowls, perfect for kids' cooking and artistic fun.
  • Put the kids to work and mix until all one color.
    Vibrant bowls of colorful frosting in pink, green, purple, yellow, and blue for cake decorating.
  • Starting with purple, drop a heaping tablespoon of batter into a paper lined muffin tin. Smooth it out a bit before you add the next color. Repeat until you get to through all of the colors. Spread the red evenly over the top so that it looks like the cupcake is only red (there will be a nice surprise when they take a bite). Bake and let cool.
    Colorful cupcakes with pink frosting in lined baking cups, ready for baking or serving.
  • Frost with your frosting of choice. I had a can of Rainbow Chip laying around and I was feeling lazy. Kids don't really care if it is real buttercream. They don't judge.
    Vibrant rainbow cupcakes with whipped frosting on a textured cloth.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 157mgFiber: 0.2g
Keyword Bright-Colored Cupcakes, colorful cupcakes, easy cupcake recipe, Fun Baking Activity, kid-friendly baking, Kids Baking, Playdate Recipes, St. Patrick’s Day treats for parties
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Bree Hester

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. Over the years it has evolved into so much more than that. While Bree may have hung up her apron for the last time, the reins have now been passed over to a passionate team of foodies.

Reader Interactions

Published: Mar 6, 2010 | Updated: Jan 20, 2026
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Rating




  1. Erin says

    Posted on 10/24 at 12:22 am

    Really good.

    Reply
    • Soft baked bread with golden crust on a rustic wooden board, perfect for breakfast or sandwiches.BakedBree says

      Posted on 2/2 at 9:58 am

      Thanks Erin, I find those cupcakes so pretty!

      Reply
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