Description
Easy Mermaid Cupcakes are a whimsical treat with swirled ocean-colored frosting and sparkly mermaid tails. Made with simple ingredients and a boxed cake mix, these cupcakes are fun, festive, and perfect for little mermaids (and grown-up ones, too!).
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
-
1 box vanilla or funfetti cake mix
-
Ingredients listed on box (usually eggs, oil, water)
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
-
Cupcake liners
For the frosting:
-
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
-
3-4 cups powdered sugar
-
2-3 tablespoons milk
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
Food coloring (teal, purple, and pink for mermaid colors)
Toppings:
-
Edible glitter or shimmer dust
-
Mermaid tail toppers (store-bought or homemade with candy melts)
-
Pearl sprinkles or colored sugar
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners.
-
Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Add vanilla extract if using.
-
Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
-
Make the frosting: Beat butter until light and fluffy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, adding milk as needed to reach desired consistency. Add vanilla extract and mix well.
-
Divide frosting into 2 or 3 bowls. Add different food coloring to each to create mermaid-inspired shades.
-
Spoon each color side by side into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip to create a swirled effect.
-
Frost the cupcakes, swirling the colored frosting on top.
-
Decorate with mermaid tails, edible glitter, and pearl sprinkles.
Notes
-
You can make mermaid tails at home using silicone molds and candy melts—just chill them until firm.
-
For extra sparkle, lightly mist with edible shimmer spray after frosting.
-
These cupcakes can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge (just add tails before serving).