Go Back
+ servings
St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes topped with green frosting, candy rainbows, gold-wrapped chocolates, and mini marshmallows for a festive treat.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes

These adorable cupcakes are baked with a vanilla sprinkle batter and finished with green buttercream, marshmallow clouds, rainbow candy and a gold wrapped chocolate topper.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Cooling Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 37 minutes
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cupcakes, St. Patrick's
Servings: 18 cupcakes

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

For the Frosting

To Decorate

Instructions

Make the Cupcakes

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin or cupcake pan with paper liners.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt and set aside.
  • In another large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), add the butter and sugar.
  • Beat together starting on low speed and increasing to medium for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture is a pale yellow color and looks fluffy. Make sure to stop the mixer halfway through and scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, making sure that each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. I like to crack the eggs one at a time in a separate bowl to make sure I don't get any eggshell in the batter.
  • Add the buttermilk and vanilla extract and continue to beat on low for about 20 seconds until the mixture is fully combined.
  • Add half the dry ingredients and mix on low until just combined.
  • Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl again and add the remaining dry ingredients and the sprinkles.

Bake the Cupcakes

  • Fill each well of your cupcake pan about halfway full. You’ll have enough batter for about 18 cupcakes.
  • Bake for 12 to 14 minutes.
  • Test one of the center cupcakes by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cupcake. It should come out with just a few moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter.
  • Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely for an hour or so before frosting (otherwise the frosting will run and look messy).

Make the Frosting

  • In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), add the softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and green food coloring.
  • With an electric hand mixer (or your stand mixer with the wire whisk attachment), whip the frosting for 2 to 3 minutes until it’s light, fluffy and nearly doubled in size.
  • Transfer the frosting to a piping bag or resealable plastic bag and snip the end off the tip.

Frost and Decorate the Cupcakes

  • When the cupcakes have cooled completely, pipe a swirl of frosting onto the cupcakes.
  • Add 2 mini marshmallows to one side of the cupcake, then arch a piece of rainbow candy from one side to the other side of the cupcake, pressing the ends into the frosting slightly to keep it in place.
  • Add a wrapped Rolo candy on the opposite side of the marshmallows, representing a pot of gold.

Notes

Fluffy frosting: Whip long enough that the buttercream looks lighter in color and texture.
Neat rainbows: Cut candy strips with scissors for clean edges and easier shaping.
Even cupcakes: Fill liners consistently so they bake at the same pace.
Clean piping: Chill the frosting briefly if it feels too soft to hold a swirl.

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 513IU | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

QR code

Scan this QR code with your phone's camera to view this recipe on your mobile device.

qr code