Make a batch of bright and colorful rainbow cupcakes with only two ingredients.
A box of cake mix and some food coloring are all you need to make moist and fluffy, multicolored sweet treats.
Fantastic Fun in Every Bite
- Easy peasy: Just two ingredients and a little oven magic and rainbow cupcakes are made.
- Party-perfect fun: A colorful treat and a super fun birthday party activity all in one.
- Bake and stash: Make a batch, then freeze them for quick snacks or decorating later.
- Match your vibe: Rock your favorite team colors, holidays, weddings, or baby showers in cupcake form.
- Jazz ‘em up: Add sprinkles, frosting, and glittery goodness to make them extra special.
Easy Ingredients
Cake Mix: I used white cake mix in this recipe, the white batter creates the best background for mixing the colors. You can use yellow or vanilla cake mix, too if that’s what you have. Or make a DIY cake batter.
Food Coloring: All you need is a box of food coloring! Liquid or gel both work in this recipe.
Vibrant Variations
Frosting is optional, but adds another layer of sweetness for toppings like sprinkles, jimmies, confetti, crushed cookies, or a cherry on top. Vanilla buttercream is so easy to make and tastes delicious on rainbow cupcakes!
How to Make Rainbow Cupcakes
- Prepare cake batter per package instructions.
- Pour batter evenly into small bowls for each color, leaving one bowl uncolored.
- Mix food coloring into each bowl until smooth (full recipe below).
- Place a little plain batter in each muffin cup and add layers of colored batter. Bake.
Smart Storage Made Simple
Keep rainbow cupcakes in a covered container or zippered bag at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze in a zippered bag for up to one month.
Our Favorite Fun Food
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Rainbow Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line muffin tin with parchment liners.
- Prepare cake mix according to directions on the box.
- Separate cake batter into individual bowls, one for each color you want. Add food coloring to each bowl until desired colors are achieved, blending well.
- Place ½ teaspoon of white batter in the middle of each muffin cup. Add ½ teaspoon of colored batter onto the center of the white batter.
- Repeat with each color, dropping it carefully into the middle of each previous puddle of batter. Continue until muffin wrappers are ½ full.
- Bake for 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a cupcake comes out dry.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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