Introduction: How to Make Rainbow Cupcakes
I kept seeing these pictures of amazing multicolored cupcakes online and wanted to try them out myself. They were surprisingly easy, tasted delicious and looked awesome!
UPDATE: I've changed this a bit. I have a few 3 month promemberships for getting featured on the homepage. Since I already have a pro membership, I am giving TWO away to the first two people who make these cupcakes and post pictures in the comments!
UPDATE: both 3 month pro memberships have been won. Congrats!
Also, if you like this instructable, please vote for it in the DIY Wedding contest!
Step 1: Collect Ingredients
For this recipe, you will need:
-One 18.25 oz box of white or yellow cake mix
-4 eggs (instead of what is calls for on the box)
-1 cup butter milk (instead of water that is called for on the box)
-Vegetable oil (amount called for on the box)
-food coloring
Other stuff you will need:
Cupcake tin (this makes about 24 cupcakes)
1 can of frosting
cupcake papers
sprinkles, or anything else you want to use to decorate
Step 2: Make Batter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Mix with a hand mixer on low for 30 seconds until all ingredients are mixed, then mix on high for 2 minutes.
Separate batter into smaller bowls, one for each color that you want in your cup cakes. I had 5 smaller bowls for red, yellow, green, blue and purple.
Step 3: Color the Batter
Read the directions on the food coloring and color the batters accordingly. Make sure they are thoroughly mixed and there are no clumps of food coloring left in the batters.
Step 4: Layer the Batter
Put the cup cake papers in the cup cake tin. I used foil papers so that you couldn't see the layers of color until you opened it up!
Start with the color you want at the bottom of the cupcake, in my case, that was purple. Continue layering up until you get to the color you want on top. Make sure not to fill the cup cake papers over two thirds full, otherwise, the tops of the cupcakes will overflow and stick to the baking tin.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Take them out of the oven and let them cool before moving on to the next step (I know! This is the most difficult part!)
Step 5: Decorate
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them using the icing of your choice (I used vanilla, from a can) and decorate however you want. I covered the tops completely so that you couldn't tell how colorful they were until you took the paper off.
Step 6: Amaze Your Friends! Eat Your Cupcakes!
The most fun part of these cupcakes was watching peoples' reaction when they took the paper off and bit into them! Not only were they delicious, but they were also awesome!
These would be so fun for bake sales, parties, or even a fun alternative to a pricey wedding cake. Whenever you make them, they will be sure to grab attention!

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69 Comments
6 years ago
I love
7 years ago on Introduction
awesome from mansor the best in the world
7 years ago on Introduction
awesome
7 years ago on Introduction
i like it awesome from mansor
8 years ago on Introduction
you, you are a DAMNE GENIUS
10 years ago on Introduction
they are awesome!! :( :( :(
10 years ago on Introduction
I saw a similar instructable but they used jars instead of the cupcake papers. does it ending up colouring the papers? what do you think is better to use?
10 years ago on Introduction
I used water because I didn't have buttermilk, but I think they turned out nicely! I made these for my college Diversity Alliance's anti-bullying rally. Thanks so much for the great idea! =^.^=
10 years ago on Introduction
I'm just about to make these with my mom. The last time I made these I brought them to my little sister's school for valentines day once, and the kids loved it! I recommend this recipe. :)
11 years ago on Introduction
Hey can I use a regular butter cake recipe instate of a instant white cake mix??? Will the co ours still turn out nice an vibrant? :)
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
I've made these with both instant and from-scratch recipes and had great colors both times. What I think matters the most is really the amount of food coloring you use. I would say use a little more than you think you'll need. I'd love to see pictures of the finished product!
11 years ago on Introduction
Really Cool! ^^ This would be great for a children's party!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
kids of all ages (including inner children, haha) love them :)
11 years ago on Introduction
Gay Party here on Saturday will be wild.
Cool cakes.
11 years ago on Step 6
Yummy!!!!! :)
11 years ago on Introduction
These cupcakes look so delicious! I am seriously craving a rainbow cupcake right now!!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
They were super good! You should make them!
11 years ago on Introduction
Today is my sister's birthday which gives me a excuse to make these
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
awesome! Post a picture!
11 years ago on Introduction
These are VERY Awesome, I've been commissioned to bake cupcakes for my friends 21st next month, and she's allergic to chocolate, so will have to make a white sponge cake (I normally always bake chocolate cake), and so the rainbow will show up nicely. The theme is purple and green - I've yet to decide whether I should just do an alternation of those two colours, or a whole rainbow with purple and green icing.
Will post pics when they're made!