Bring an extra dose of joy to an ordinary baking day!
Cupcakes are a regular occurrence in my house, usually at the suggestion of my kids. I bake them, then they quickly devour them. Rarely do they stick around for long, and rarely are the kids interested in anything other than the final result. However, if I mention we can make the cupcakes “unicorn” style, suddenly, everyone’s in the kitchen with their sleeves rolled up. Turning a batch of humble vanilla cupcakes into a pastel masterpiece apparently makes baking a whole family event.
A cupcake decorating session is a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen with a relatively simple task that lets them hone their creativity. The cupcakes always end up looking a little different each time, and that’s perfectly okay. Some have towering swirls of pink and blue frosting, others are covered in stars and sparkles. And maybe it’s in my head, but the cupcakes seem to taste better when everyone’s had a hand in making them.
What makes them “unicorn?”
The unicorn dessert trend popped up on social media a few years ago. Basically, it’s an aesthetic that captures the essence of whimsy: pastel colors, playful designs, edible glitter, and fun decorations. Usually, the color palette leans toward pinks, purples, and blues, though you may see rainbow, as well. It’s a great way to elevate an otherwise simple Vanilla Cupcake. Kids absolutely love it, and it’s great for birthday parties. It’s just a simple way to add more joy to an already joyful dessert.
How do I store leftovers?
You should be able to keep your extra cupcakes covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can keep them longer if you store them in an airtight container in the fridge, where they should last for up to 4 days. If you haven’t applied the frosting, you can freeze the plain cupcakes for up to a month. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight, then apply the frosting.
Serving suggestions
If your cupcakes are going to be gracing the table at a kids’ party, there are plenty of other fun things you can serve them with. For more adorable decorations, try these Sunflower Cupcakes or these Apple Cupcakes, which look like the real thing. Funfetti Cake Pops would match the unicorn aesthetic nicely while offering an easy treat to hold with small hands. Finally, don’t forget the Vanilla Berry Lemonade for something fun to drink!
Unicorn Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Food coloring pink, blue, and purple
- 24 vanilla cupcakes cooled
- Sprinkles for filling and decoration
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the salt and vanilla extract. Pour in 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream and beat the mixture on medium-high speed until smooth. You can add more cream to reach your desired consistency.
- Divide the frosting evenly into three separate bowls. Using food coloring, tint one bowl pink, another blue, and the third purple. Mix each bowl until the colors are uniform.
- Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and spoon each layer of frosting onto the surface, stacked on top of each other. Roll it up tightly into a log, pushing out any air bubbles, and twist the end to seal. Snip off the end of the frosting log and place it into a large pastry bag fitted with a star tip.
- Cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake and scoop out a bit of cake to create a cavity. Fill the hole with sprinkles, then replace the piece of cupcake you removed.
- Squeeze the pastry bag to pipe the tri-colored frosting onto each cupcake, creating a swirl pattern. If you like, sprinkle a few more sprinkles on top.
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