Bright Rainbow Cupcakes

Want to jazz up your next celebration? Colorful Rainbow Cupcakes bring fun vibes wherever they go. Each one is a soft, bright bite with chilled, fluffy topping. Trying to liven up a birthday, holiday, or just want a little happiness? These cupcakes have got you covered!

INGREDIENTS

• Vanilla or white cake mix: 1 box
• Milk or water: 1 cup
• Eggs (large): 3
• Canola or vegetable oil: 1/3 cup
• Dry instant vanilla pudding: 1 box (3.4 oz)
• Gel food colors: Purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red
• Butter (unsalted): 3/4 cup, softened
• Vanilla flavor: 1 tsp
• Heavy cream or milk: 1/4 cup
• Powdered sugar: 3-4 cups
• Rainbow candies or colorful sprinkles: to sprinkle on top

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:

Line a muffin tray with 12 cups and start the oven at 350°F.

Step 2:

Stir cake mix, pudding, eggs, oil, and milk or water together for two minutes in your biggest bowl.

Step 3:

Separate batter into six mini bowls and stir in each color to get your rainbow layers ready.

Step 4:

Spoon layers one at a time into muffin cups (don’t swirl!) so they stay bold and bright.

Step 5:

Let them bake for 15-18 minutes, and once cool, move on to topping.

Step 6:

Use a mixer to whip the butter and vanilla, dropping in powdered sugar and cream slowly till it’s fluffy and smooth.

Step 7:

Spoon or pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes, then toss sprinkles or rainbow candy over the tops to finish.

Serving and Storage Tips

• Keep your cupcakes fresh by putting them in a sealed container on the counter for a couple days, or pop them in the fridge if you want them to last longer.
• Whip up cupcakes early, but wait to frost them until you’re ready to show off how good they look.

Helpful Notes

• Want really bold colors? Pick gel food coloring, since it won’t make your batter runny.
• Mix things up by swapping in new sprinkles or candy toppings. Go wild!

Tips from Famous Bakers

• Layer your batter using a frosting bag so the colors don’t bleed together. It makes the rainbow pop!

Add Some Cheer with Rainbow Cupcakes

These eye-catching cupcakes aren’t just pretty—they taste awesome. You get an airy cake with smooth, melt-in-your-mouth topping. Everyone’s going to want one, grown-ups and kids alike. Perfect for your next get-together!

FAQs

Could I make these gluten free?

Sure thing! Swap the cake mix for a gluten-free version and keep following the steps.

How do I get those big, bold colors without dumping in too much dye?

Gel coloring is your friend here! Since it’s strong, you only need a bit to get really bright hues.

Could I use a homemade cake batter?

You bet! Just use your best vanilla cake mix and split it up to add color right before baking.

Why did my colors all mix together?

Try layering gently and don’t stir between colors. Thicker batter helps too, since it keeps each shade where you want it.

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Summary

These colorful cupcakes are the life of any gathering, featuring soft, vibrant cake layers and a creamy, sweet frosting. Make them by preparing a basic cake mix, splitting it into six hues, and layering into liners for a rainbow look when baked. The buttercream frosting is smooth and simple to spread, making it a perfect combo for the colorful base. Decorate with sprinkles or candies for extra fun. Great for kids, Pride events, or just a happy pick-me-up, they're as easy to make as they are delicious.