Who can resist the fun and whimsy of Confetti Sprinkle Cupcakes? These colorful, festive cupcakes are not only visually delightful but also deliciously moist and fluffy. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or just because, these cupcakes are studded with vibrant rainbow sprinkles that melt into the batter, creating bursts of color in every bite. Topped with creamy vanilla buttercream and more sprinkles, these cupcakes are sure to bring joy to any occasion. Follow this step-by-step recipe for perfect confetti cupcakes, along with tips for variations, serving, and common mistakes to avoid.
What Are Confetti Sprinkle Cupcakes?
Confetti sprinkle cupcakes are essentially vanilla cupcakes that are loaded with rainbow sprinkles mixed into the batter. The sprinkles dissolve slightly as the cupcakes bake, creating a “confetti” effect throughout the cake. These cupcakes are soft, tender, and flavorful with just the right amount of sweetness. They’re typically topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream and decorated with more sprinkles for extra fun and color.
Ingredients List for Confetti Sprinkle Cupcakes
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these delightful confetti cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the cupcakes.
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder: Helps the cupcakes rise and stay fluffy.
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda: Adds extra lift and lightness to the batter.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and moisture to the cupcakes.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes and gives them a tender crumb.
- 2 large eggs: Helps bind the ingredients and provides structure.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor.
- ½ cup whole milk: Keeps the cupcakes moist and tender.
- ¼ cup sour cream: Adds extra moisture and a slight tang for balance.
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies): The star of the show! Make sure to use sprinkles (also known as "jimmies") rather than nonpareils, as nonpareils can bleed into the batter.
Ingredients List for Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
For the frosting, you’ll need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: The base of the buttercream, making it creamy and rich.
- 4 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives it a smooth texture.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the frosting.
- 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk: Adjusts the consistency of the frosting.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness.
- Extra rainbow sprinkles: For decorating the tops of the frosted cupcakes.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few ways to adjust the recipe for dietary preferences or to add some fun variations:
- Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make the cupcakes gluten-free.
- Dairy-free option: Substitute plant-based butter and almond or coconut milk for the butter and milk.
- Egg-free version: Replace each egg with ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce or use a commercial egg replacer.
- Flavor variations: Add almond extract (½ teaspoon) for a different flavor profile, or use lemon or orange zest for a citrus twist.
- Color theme: Change up the sprinkles to fit your occasion—use pastel sprinkles for a baby shower, red and green for Christmas, or themed sprinkles for any party.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. Set aside.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, which helps the cupcakes rise and stay light.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until combined. This will infuse the cupcakes with a delicious, rich vanilla flavor.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Then, add the milk and sour cream, mixing until smooth. Finally, add the remaining flour mixture and beat until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cupcakes dense.
Step 6: Fold in the Sprinkles
Gently fold in the sprinkles using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix, as the colors can start to bleed into the batter if stirred too much.
Step 7: Fill the Cupcake Liners
Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each one about two-thirds full. The cupcakes will rise as they bake, so leave enough room for them to expand.
Step 8: Bake the Cupcakes
Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
How to Cook Confetti Sprinkle Cupcakes: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure the butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature for a smooth and even batter.
- Don’t overmix: Once you add the flour and sprinkles, mix just until combined to prevent a dense texture and bleeding of the sprinkles.
- Cool before frosting: Always let the cupcakes cool completely before adding the buttercream, or the frosting will melt and slide off.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing the batter: Overmixing can make the cupcakes dense and cause the sprinkles to bleed, resulting in a muddy look. Stir just until combined.
- Using the wrong type of sprinkles: Nonpareils (the tiny round sprinkles) tend to bleed too much into the batter, so it’s best to use "jimmies" (the longer, softer sprinkles) for the best confetti effect.
- Overfilling the liners: Don’t fill the cupcake liners too full. Aim for about two-thirds full so they can rise evenly without spilling over the edges.
Serving and Presentation Tips
Confetti sprinkle cupcakes are not only delicious but can also be made visually stunning with a few simple presentation ideas.
How to Serve Confetti Sprinkle Cupcakes
- Room temperature: These cupcakes are best served at room temperature to ensure the frosting is soft and the cake is tender.
- Pair with milk or lemonade: Serve with a glass of cold milk, lemonade, or iced tea for a refreshing treat.
Presentation Ideas for Confetti Sprinkle Cupcakes
- Colorful frosting swirls: Use a piping bag with a star tip to create beautiful swirls of vanilla buttercream on top of each cupcake.
- Extra sprinkles on top: After frosting, generously sprinkle rainbow sprinkles over the buttercream for a colorful finish.
- Themed sprinkles: Customize the cupcakes with themed sprinkles to match your event, like pastel sprinkles for Easter, or red, white, and blue for the 4th of July.
- Mini cupcake versions: Make mini cupcakes for bite-sized treats that are perfect for kids' parties or snack tables.
Confetti Sprinkle Cupcake Recipe Tips
- Storing leftovers: Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If it’s particularly warm, refrigerate them but bring them to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: Unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and frost before serving.
- Whip the frosting: For a lighter, fluffier buttercream, whip it on high speed for a few extra minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the cupcakes up to 2 days in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Frost them on the day you plan to serve them for the freshest taste.
2. Can I freeze confetti sprinkle cupcakes?
Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes. Wrap each one in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before frosting.
3. Why did my sprinkles sink to the bottom of the cupcakes?
If the batter is too thin or you use the wrong type of sprinkles (like nonpareils), they may sink. Using jimmies and ensuring your batter isn’t too liquidy will help keep the sprinkles suspended in the batter.
4. Can I use nonpareils instead of jimmies?
Nonpareils tend to bleed into the batter more than jimmies, which can muddy the colors. For the best results, stick to using jimmies for a cleaner confetti effect.
Conclusion
Confetti Sprinkle Cupcakes are the ultimate fun and festive treat, perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any time you want to add a little color to your day. With their light, fluffy texture and bursts of colorful sprinkles, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike. Follow the recipe closely for best results, and don’t forget to personalize them with your favorite sprinkles and decorations. Happy baking!
PrintConfetti Sprinkle Cupcakes Recipe
These confetti sprinkle cupcakes are light, fluffy, and bursting with fun colors, making them perfect for birthdays, parties, or any festive occasion. The cupcakes are packed with rainbow sprinkles and topped with a rich vanilla buttercream frosting. Easy to make and guaranteed to bring joy, these cupcakes are a hit with both kids and adults alike!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies)
- For the vanilla buttercream frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoon milk
- Extra sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tray with paper liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Milk: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk until smooth.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Bake: Divide batter evenly among the cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in vanilla and milk until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
- Frost and Decorate: Frost the cooled cupcakes with vanilla buttercream and top with extra sprinkles.
Notes
- Use jimmies-type sprinkles, as nonpareils can bleed into the batter and cause discoloration.
- The frosting can be tinted with food coloring to match any party theme.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 150mg
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