Colorful Tie Dye Cupcakes (Print Version)
Moist vanilla cake with colorful swirls and buttercream.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cupcake Batter
01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ tsp baking powder
03 - ¼ tsp salt
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 tsp vanilla extract
08 - ½ cup whole milk
→ Coloring
09 - Red gel food coloring
10 - Blue gel food coloring
→ Buttercream Frosting
11 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 3 cups powdered sugar
13 - 2 tbsp whole milk
14 - 2 tsp vanilla extract
15 - Pinch of salt
16 - Red and blue gel food coloring
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla.
04 - Add half the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, then milk, then the remaining dry ingredients; mix just until combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Tint one portion red, one blue, and leave one portion plain.
06 - Using a spoon, layer each color batter into liners in a random or swirled pattern for a tie dye effect.
07 - Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
08 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt until light and fluffy. Divide into three bowls; tint one red, one blue, and leave one white.
09 - Fill a piping bag with all three colors side-by-side to create a swirl. Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes.
10 - Optionally, decorate with festive sprinkles.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It brings a festive pop of color to any July gathering without being overly complicated.
- The moist vanilla base balances perfectly with the rich, creamy buttercream frosting.
02 -
- Gel food coloring is essential because liquid dye will ruin the batter consistency.
- Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added or the cupcakes will become tough.
03 -
- Use a large star tip for the frosting to mimic a firework explosion shape.
- If the batter is too runny after coloring, add a teaspoon of flour to thicken it slightly.