Rainbow Frosting Cupcakes

Rainbow Frosting Cupcakes

I remember learning the colors of the rainbow as a kid in piano class.  It was one of the first lessons in my primer – a song titled “Roy G. Biv”.  Just saying it takes me back to that ticking metronome. I’m tapping out a few rudimentary notes that are supposed to resemble a song about rainbows. I must have played that little ditty a hundred times before getting it right!

All these years later I still remember the simple words to that song. It was stuck in my head as I frosted these cupcakes in the same sequence of hues.

Rainbow Frosting Cupcakes

The idea for these came from a nice big box of goodies that Wilton sent me.  Inside was a book all about cupcakes and other fun things like colorful batter mix-ins and candy sprinkles.  I thought the green “batter bits” with rainbow frosting would make a great St. Paddy’s day treat.  But heck!  They turned out so cheery, I’d make them anytime someone needed an infusion of sugary happiness.  Talk about a pick-me-up!

Rainbow Frosting Cupcakes

There were some similarly frosted cupcakes on the cover of the book I was given by Wilton, and I hoped it would tell me how much icing I’d need to complete these.  Unfortunately, it was not mentioned and I was left trying to estimate how much I’d need for a dozen. I ended up using 6 cups, but I’d err on the side of caution next time and make 6 1/2. I realize that sounds like a huge amount, but these have about a half cup of icing topping each cake, which is no less than you’d get at a fancy cupcake boutique.  That said, I wasn’t able to eat a whole one by myself, so I’d suggest splitting one with a friend.

Rainbow Frosting Cupcakes

I can’t wait to try out a mini version of these.  I’ve got some Sixlets candies that would make a perfect mini “cherry” on top.  I also think this same technique would be beautiful done in ombre hues.

Rainbow Frosting Cupcakes

Yield: 12-13 cupcakes

Start to finish: 3 hours +

Source: SprinkleBakes original recipes, technique inspired by Cupcakes! by Wilton

[click for printable version]

These are a bit of work from scratch, so using a white cake mix may be a time-saving option for busy bakers. I do suggest homemade frosting . It should be one you really love because these cupcakes hold a tall amount. Using disposable cups or bowls is a good idea when mixing so many different colors of icing. I chose a maraschino cherry as a topper, but you could use a candy cherries found at bulk candy stores.


Rainbow Frosting Cupcakes

Heather Baird
These are a bit of work from scratch, so using a white cake mix may be a time-saving option for busy bakers. I do suggest homemade frosting . It should be one you really love because these cupcakes hold a tall amount. Using disposable cups or bowls is a good idea when mixing so many different colors of icing. I chose a maraschino cherry as a topper, but you could use a candy cherries found at bulk candy stores.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

Sour cream cake

  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 3/4 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 milk
  • Wilton Green color mix-ins or 1/3 cup green sprinkles (jimmies)

Buttercream frosting

  • 2 cups of unsalted butter softened
  • 2 lbs. confectioners’ sugar – the finest you can find usually 10x
  • 2-4 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1 tsp. Clear vanilla extract
  • * Additional milk or heavy cream as needed

Tint/top

  • Violet gel food coloring
  • Royal blue gel food coloring
  • Leaf green gel food coloring
  • Golden yellow gel food coloring
  • Orange gel food coloring
  • 12 maraschino cherries with stems drained and patted dry

Frosting assembly

  • 2 1/3 cups violet
  • 1 1/2 cups indigo
  • 1 cup blue 2/3 cup green
  • 1/2 cup yellow
  • 1/3 cup orange

Instructions
 

Sour cream cake

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix. Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, set aside. in a medium sized bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup sour cream. Add flour and milk mixture alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Batter will be thick. Fold in color mix-ins, if using. Fill cupcake papers with 1/4 cup level measures of batter. Bake for 17 minutes. Let cool and set aside.

Buttercream frosting

  • In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, mix together the butter and confectioners’ sugar. Begin mixing on low speed until crumbly, and then increase to high and beat for 3 minutes. Add milk gradually until it is piping consistency. Add vanilla extract and beat again for several minutes until light and fluffy. *Note: If you find the buttercream is too stiff, you may add milk or heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture is spreading consistency.

Tint/top

  • This is an estimation of the tinted icing amounts I used for these cupcakes. You’ll need a larger amount of violet versus the much smaller amount of orange. Divide the icing and tint accordingly. The only color you’ll need to create is indigo, and you can do that by adding one part blue food coloring to one part violet food coloring to untinted icing.

Assemble

  • Transfer violet icing to a piping bag fitted with a large plain tip (Wilton 2A). I’m confident this could also be done with a zip-top bag with a corner snipped. Pipe an even line of frosting around the edge of a cupcake and then lightly fill in the middle with frosting. Repeat process with remaining frostings, getting smaller in diameter as you change icing colors. Repeat process with remaining cupcakes. Top each cupcake with a maraschino cherry.
Keyword green sprinkles, rainbow frosting, vanilla sour cream cake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Disclaimer: Colorburst batter bits and Cupcakes! book were provided by Wilton.  Wilton did not ask me to review these products, but I found them useful and of possible benefit and interest to SprinkleBakes readers.

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Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie
11 years ago

These are so beautiful, Heather! I adore them!!

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
11 years ago

So cute and colorful! I love those cupcakes.

Cheers,

Rosa

Party Wagon
Party Wagon
11 years ago

Fabulous!!

Amanda
Amanda
11 years ago

Lovely!

Leslie
Leslie
11 years ago

So adorable!!!!!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

Oh my godness ! They look so amazing !
I love the idea, thanks for sharing !

kind regards from vienna,
melanie

Angie - Big Bears Wife
Angie - Big Bears Wife
11 years ago

I love the rainbow of colors!!

Michelle
Michelle
11 years ago

they totally remind me of the Fisher Price rainbow stacking rings! Love these cupcakes – a clever take on the St. Patty's day rainbow.

Melanie
Melanie
11 years ago

These look so much fun!!! =)

Ergo – Blog

Alayna @ Thyme Bombe
Alayna @ Thyme Bombe
11 years ago

So pretty! It's a rainy day here and this bright splash of color first thing in the morning is refreshing.

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

I need color burst batter bits in my life! These are adorable Heather!

Meagan @ Scarletta Bakes
Meagan @ Scarletta Bakes
11 years ago

Oh. Ma. Ghee. For serious? These are amazeballs. I just want to put some of that cuteness into my face. So pretty, Heather!!

Mari @ Oh, Sweet & Savory
Mari @ Oh, Sweet & Savory
11 years ago

These are perfect to add some color to a dreary winter day. So beautiful!

Simo
Simo
11 years ago

sono spettacolari, dei piccoli capolavori, complimenti!!!!!!!!!

Liz
Liz
11 years ago

Very adorable! My kids would love them 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

This is lovely. It would be even better if you didid the base with a sugar boiling icing as the cloud and the the rainbow! Or the cup cake lining

Kelly @ Studio DIY
Kelly @ Studio DIY
11 years ago

These are amazing!! So perfect for St. Patty's!!

Kristen - Dine & Dish
Kristen - Dine & Dish
11 years ago

So very cute!

Rosie
Rosie
11 years ago

Oh these are just gorgeous! You are so super talented 🙂

http://www.ciderwithrosiebee.blogspot.com

Joy
Joy
11 years ago

This was such a delightful post to read. I needed a pick-me-up, and you mentioned THREE of my favorite things – cake, rainbows, and mini's! Thank you for the Friday morning cheer.

Jen @ Blue Kitchen Bakes
Jen @ Blue Kitchen Bakes
11 years ago

Very pretty cupcakes, I love how you've graduated the colours and topped off with a cherry 🙂

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

These are so incredibly cute. The kinda remind me of one of those colourful stacking ring baby toys too which makes them even more cuter!

-Lisa.
Sweet 2 Eat Baking

Jenn @ Icing on the Cake
Jenn @ Icing on the Cake
11 years ago

These are so adorable! I love the green bits inside!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

You can tell I'm and 80's/90's kid because my first thought was "Rainbow Brite!". These are super cute! I'll have to keep this in mind for nephew/niece's birthday parties!

Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
11 years ago

SO cute! And the cherry on top is just perfect.

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

So bright and cheerful!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

It doesn't get much prettier than this!

Laura (TLN)
Laura (TLN)
11 years ago

Love this idea (mmm…and so much icing..my favourite part!).

Beard and Brew
Beard and Brew
11 years ago

These are SO pretty! I was thinking about dong something like this for my friends birthday coming up, thank you for the inspiration 🙂

Lora
Lora
11 years ago

These just make me happy. Period.

Bellenza Bistro
Bellenza Bistro
11 years ago

These have got to make you smile! Ok, and put on a pound or two…

CQUEK
CQUEK
11 years ago

Love its ingredients and vivid colors!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

Oh these look so pretty and colorful. It sort of reminds me of being a the circus, haha 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Wow! Has anyone yet mentioned how reminiscent these cupcakes are of Rainbow Brite?! Perfect picture through the link below…

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gz_fYJc6Rzo/TnNIk3CbI_I/AAAAAAAAAc0/CqlG5oYz39Y/s1600/rainbow+bright+beltwm.jpg

Chocolate Shavings
Chocolate Shavings
11 years ago

How could these not put a smile on your face – they're gorgeous!

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

These are gorgeous! I can see why you would eat them for breakfast! They are so cherry! I will be frosting some rainbow cupcakes soon!!!!

Gintare @Gourmantine
Gintare @Gourmantine
11 years ago

These have to be the most joyful cupcakes I've seen. I think kid and adults alike would go crazy for them!

marla
marla
11 years ago

Heather ~ these cupcakes are so playful and beautiful!

Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
11 years ago

Heather,

These are too cute to eat! So joyful 🙂

Wendy
Wendy
11 years ago

These are so pretty. I am sure that there must be a leprechaun's pot of gold on the other side of those cupcakes 🙂 Or maybe some golden filling inside the cupcake for St. Patrick's day? Fun!

Stacy @ Baubles and Brownies
Stacy @ Baubles and Brownies
11 years ago

Wow! Those are perfect for St. Paddy's Day! Good call!

Sue
Sue
11 years ago

These cupcakes make me giddy!!! I think I could stare at them for a looooog time:) Love that the red "layer" is a cherry:) GORGEOUS photos!

Alexandra
Alexandra
11 years ago

I don't think I ever learned a Roy G. Biv song, but I definitely was taught to remember the colors of the rainbow with that acronym. I still remember all kinds of silly songs from when I was really young in school. I love how fun these cupcake are; like you said, they'd be the perfect way to put a smile on someone's face any time of year!

MrsCake
MrsCake
11 years ago

Each time I visit your blog, as soon as I lay my eyes on photos of your sweet creations I'm all OMG, as in "ohmygodthisissoooadorablewhatanabsolutelyfantasticideathosecoloursthoseflavoursthatdisplayandcompositionIwanttostayhereforever!" 😉
Thank you for making me smile! ^ ^

Unknown
Unknown
11 years ago

Such a vibrant color combination-) Beautiful!

Sandi @ My Culinary Escapades
Sandi @ My Culinary Escapades
11 years ago

Beautiful!

Bob
Bob
11 years ago

Stunning! I need to show this to my wife and get her to make some for me lol.

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

The rainbow frosting and the green sprinkles inside are perfect for St. Patty's Day!!! Yum!!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

These look great but I would use your recipe for the sprinkles cake. I have used it over and over for cupcakes and people always seem to love it. I usually get close to 2 dozen cupcakes for the recipe.

theultimatefoodaddict
theultimatefoodaddict
11 years ago

This looks so great! with something as beautiful as this, no need to look for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Best of luck! 🙂