Confetti Cupcakes Recipe

Magical Confetti Cupcakes Recipe: Sprinkle Joy in Every Bite

Whipping up delightful confetti cupcakes brings pure joy to any celebration.

Colorful sprinkles dance through soft, fluffy batter like tiny edible rainbows.

Sweet memories of childhood parties flood back with each vibrant bite.

Birthdays, graduations, or spontaneous moments become magical when these playful treats appear.

Crisp cake edges and tender crumb promise delectable surprises in every mouthful.

Small bursts of happiness nestle within each carefully crafted cupcake.

Come bake these cheerful delights and watch smiles light up the room.

FAQs

  • Can I use different types of sprinkles?

Yes, you can use any color or style of sprinkles like nonpareils, jimmies, or sugar sprinkles to customize your cupcakes.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make these cupcakes?

You just need a standard mixer, cupcake pan, and basic baking tools like measuring cups and a whisk.

  • How do I prevent my sprinkles from sinking to the bottom of the cupcake?

Toss the sprinkles in a small amount of flour before folding them into the batter to help them distribute evenly and prevent sinking.

  • Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for baking to create a gluten-free version of these cupcakes.

Confetti Cupcakes: Colorful Celebration

  • Celebrate with Color: These vibrant cupcakes burst with rainbow sprinkles, making any gathering instantly more festive and fun.
  • Quick Kitchen Magic: Whip up these delightful treats in under an hour with simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
  • Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Perfect for involving children in the kitchen, this recipe allows little hands to help mix sprinkles and decorate cupcakes with joy.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Guaranteed to bring smiles, these confetti cupcakes work brilliantly for birthdays, potlucks, and casual weekend treats that everyone will love.

Ingredients for Confetti Cupcakes

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The base foundation that provides structure for the cupcakes.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cupcakes rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cupcake batter.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a tender crumb in the cupcakes.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the caramelization process during baking.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cupcake's structure and moisture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor to the cupcake batter.
  • Milk: Helps create a smooth, moist consistency in the batter.
Decorative Ingredients:
  • Rainbow Sprinkles, Extra Sprinkles: Adds a fun, colorful element to the cupcakes, creating the signature confetti look.
Frosting Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates a creamy base for the frosting.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve the right frosting consistency.
  • Vanilla: Adds flavor to the frosting.
  • Heavy Cream: Helps smooth out the frosting and create the right texture.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness of the frosting.

How to Bake Confetti Cupcakes

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Set the oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with paper liners.

This ensures your cupcakes will have a perfect home while baking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine the following dry ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Whisk everything together until well blended and free of lumps.

Step 3: Create Creamy Butter Base

In a separate large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

The texture should look smooth and pale.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Pour in vanilla extract and blend completely.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients.

Alternate adding dry ingredients with milk, mixing gently to create a smooth batter.

Be careful not to overmix, as this can make cupcakes tough.

Step 5: Add Colorful Sprinkles

Carefully fold rainbow sprinkles into the batter.

Use a gentle motion to distribute sprinkles evenly without breaking them or making the batter too dense.

Step 6: Bake Cupcakes

Distribute batter evenly among cupcake liners.

Bake for 18-20 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick.

The toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the center of a cupcake.

Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

Step 7: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

Beat softened butter until it becomes creamy and smooth.

Gradually add:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Heavy cream

Mix until you reach a spreadable consistency.

Add a tiny pinch of salt if needed to balance sweetness.

Step 8: Decorate and Serve

Frost the cooled cupcakes generously.

Sprinkle additional rainbow sprinkles on top for extra color and fun.

Serve and enjoy these festive treats!

Pro Tips for Confetti Cupcakes

  • Toss sprinkles in a small amount of flour before folding into batter to stop colors from running and maintain a clean, vibrant look.
  • Cream butter and sugar thoroughly for at least 3-4 minutes to incorporate air, resulting in lighter, softer cupcakes.
  • Ensure eggs, butter, and milk are at room temperature to blend seamlessly and create a smoother, more consistent batter.
  • Add heavy cream gradually to buttercream frosting, checking thickness and spreadability to get the ideal piping texture.
  • Let cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain a crisp cake edge.

Variations on Confetti Cupcakes

  • Gluten-Free Rainbow Cupcakes: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for celiac or wheat-sensitive individuals. Use dairy-free milk and vegan butter alternatives for added flexibility.
  • Vegan Celebration Cupcakes: Swap eggs with mashed banana or applesauce, use plant-based milk, and replace butter with coconut oil. Select vegan sprinkles to maintain festive appearance.
  • Low-Sugar Festive Option: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for lighter frosting. Choose natural food coloring sprinkles for healthier version.
  • Chocolate Confetti Spin: Mix cocoa powder into batter for chocolate base. Use white chocolate frosting and add colorful sprinkles on top for playful chocolate variation.

Serving Suggestions for Confetti Cupcakes

  • Festive Party Platter: Arrange cupcakes on a tiered stand with colorful candles for a birthday celebration or dessert table centerpiece.
  • Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair these cupcakes with fresh fruit and coffee for a fun weekend morning treat that adds a playful touch to breakfast.
  • Kids' Dessert Station: Create a DIY decorating area where children can add extra sprinkles or small candies to personalize their own cupcake.
  • Movie Night Dessert: Serve these cupcakes during family movie time as a special sweet surprise that brings excitement to the evening.

How to Store Confetti Cupcakes

  • Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain frosting design.
  • Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before frosting.
  • Keep unfrosted cupcakes in a sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Avoid direct sunlight and warm areas to prevent texture changes.
  • Warm refrigerated cupcakes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For best results, let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore softness.
Print
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Confetti Cupcakes Recipe

Confetti Cupcakes Recipe


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4.7 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Colorful confetti cupcakes bring joyful celebration to any gathering with classic vanilla batter and rainbow sprinkle magic. Sweet memories unfold as creamy frosting and playful decorations create delightful moments you’ll cherish.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 0.5 cup whole milk, room temperature
  • 0.5 cup rainbow sprinkles

Leavening Agents:

  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon baking soda

Seasoning:

  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F and arrange cupcake liners in a standard muffin tin.
  2. Combine flour, leavening agents, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to eliminate potential lumps.
  3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a pale, airy consistency.
  4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then blend in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, mixing gently until a smooth, uniform batter forms.
  6. Delicately fold rainbow sprinkles into the batter, taking care to distribute evenly without overmixing.
  7. Distribute batter equally among cupcake liners, filling approximately two-thirds full.
  8. Bake for 18-20 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that should emerge clean when cupcakes are fully cooked.
  9. Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
  10. Whip softened butter until it becomes light and creamy using an electric mixer.
  11. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream, adjusting consistency as needed and adding a pinch of salt for balance.
  12. Apply frosting generously to cooled cupcakes and embellish with additional sprinkles for a festive touch.

Notes

  • Prevent sprinkles from sinking by tossing them in a thin layer of flour before folding into the batter.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and more even baking results.
  • Opt for gel food coloring instead of liquid to maintain cupcake texture and prevent batter separation.
  • Swap dairy milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk for a vegan-friendly version, ensuring similar fat content for moisture.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 190 kcal
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Mia Thompson

Mia Thompson

Pastry Chef & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Creating wholesome, seasonal desserts with a focus on nutrition.
  • Developing recipes on healthy baking alternatives.
  • Experimenting with plant-based and gluten-free recipes.​

Education

Portland Community College – Baking and Pastry Arts Program
Specialized in artisanal bread, seasonal desserts, and sustainable baking methods.

National University of Natural Medicine – Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BScN)
Focused on “Food as Medicine” philosophy, with core threads in nutrition.


Mia’s love affair with baking began in her grandmother’s kitchen, where sneaking spoonfuls of batter first sparked her curiosity. She refined her skills through Portland Community College’s Baking and Pastry Arts Program and her expertise at the National University of Natural Medicine, earning a B.Sc. in Nutrition.
At The Scrumptious Pumpkin, Mia reimagines classics with effortless seasonal treats, healthier twists on old favorites, and playful confections that feel like pure joy. Beyond the oven, she nurtures her urban garden, forages local ingredients around Portland, and leads hands‑on nutrition workshops for her community.

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