Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Cloud Frosting Recipe

Introduction

These Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Cloud Frosting are a delightful treat that’s as fun to make as they are to eat. Bright layers of colorful batter come together beneath a light, fluffy vanilla frosting, perfect for celebrations or brightening any day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 1/3 cups sugar
• 5 egg whites
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk, warmed to room temperature
• Gel food coloring in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple
• 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened (for frosting)
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract
• Tiny pinch of salt (for frosting)
• 3 tablespoons milk (for frosting)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: In a stand mixer, cream 1 cup softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is much lighter in color, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the egg whites and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Step 5: Add the dry ingredients and warmed milk to the butter mixture alternately, beginning and ending with flour, 1 cup of flour and ½ cup of milk at a time. Mix until just combined.
6. Step 6: Divide the batter evenly into 6 bowls.
7. Step 7: Add a different gel food coloring to each bowl: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Stir each until the color is fully blended.
8. Step 8: Prepare your cupcake pan with liners. Using either a small spoon or piping bags, layer the colored batter in each cupcake liner. Start with purple at the bottom, then blue, green, yellow, orange, and finally red on top. Keep each layer about ¼ inch thick.
9. Step 9: Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
10. Step 10: To make the frosting, beat 1 cup softened butter in your mixer until lighter in color, about 1 minute.
11. Step 11: Add the clear vanilla extract, then gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and milk. Add the powdered sugar in cups and the milk by tablespoons, mixing on high for 1 minute after each addition until the frosting is light and fluffy.
12. Step 12: Use a piping bag fitted with a closed star tip to frost the cooled cupcakes with the vanilla cloud frosting.

Tips & Variations

• Use clear vanilla extract in the frosting to keep it bright white; regular vanilla will add a creamy tint but remains delicious.
• If you don’t have piping bags, use a zip-top bag with one corner snipped off to layer the batter or pipe frosting.
• For an extra-special touch, add edible glitter or sprinkles over the frosting.
• Allow batter layers to be even and thin to ensure vibrant rainbow stripes inside the cupcake.

Storage

Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days and bring back to room temperature before serving. Frosting may firm up when chilled; you can gently warm cupcakes slightly before eating if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel food coloring?

Yes, but gel food coloring provides more vibrant colors without thinning the batter. Regular liquid food coloring may affect the batter consistency.

How do I keep the layers from mixing together when baking?

Use thin layers of batter and add them gently to avoid blending. You can pipe each layer individually for more control. Also, avoid overfilling the cupcake liners to maintain distinct layers.

Rainbow Cupcakes with Vanilla Cloud Frosting Recipe

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4.5 from 97 reviews

These vibrant Rainbow Cupcakes are a fun and colorful treat perfect for any celebration. Featuring layers of vividly colored batter baked into moist cupcakes, topped with a light and fluffy Vanilla Cloud Frosting, they combine beautiful presentation with delightful flavor. The recipe includes detailed steps to create evenly layered rainbow colors and a smooth, creamy frosting that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 18 cupcakes 1x
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cupcake Batter

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 1/3 cups sugar
• 5 egg whites
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk, warmed to room temperature
• Gel food coloring in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple

Vanilla Cloud Frosting

• 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract
• Tiny pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s at the right temperature once your batter is ready.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is much lighter in color, resembling a soft spring yellow. This creates a light and fluffy base for your cupcakes.
3. Add Egg Whites and Vanilla: Beat in the egg whites and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, giving the batter structure and flavor.
4. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the flour together with the baking powder and salt to ensure even distribution.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the warmed milk to the batter, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Add about 1 cup of flour, then ½ cup milk, repeating until fully combined. This step ensures the batter is smooth without overmixing.
6. Divide and Color Batter: Divide the remaining batter evenly into 6 separate bowls. Add gel food coloring to each bowl to create red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple batters. Stir each color well to achieve vibrant and even colors.
7. Layer Batter in Cupcake Pan: Use either a small spoon or piping bags to layer the colored batters into cupcake liners. Start with purple at the bottom, then blue, green, yellow, orange, and finally red on top. Each layer should be thin, about a ¼ inch thick, to create distinct rainbow stripes inside each cupcake.
8. Bake: Place the cupcake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
9. Make Frosting: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whip the softened butter until lighter in color and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add in the clear vanilla extract and mix briefly.
10. Add Powdered Sugar and Milk: Gradually add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, alternating with 1 tablespoon of milk as you go. After each addition, beat on high speed for 1 minute until the frosting is super light, fluffy, and a creamy vanilla cloud texture. Finish with the last cup of powdered sugar.
11. Frost Cupcakes: Using a piping bag fitted with a closed star tip, pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes in decorative swirls or peaks for a beautiful finishing touch.

Notes

• Use clear vanilla extract in the frosting for a whiter appearance; regular vanilla will give a creamy tint.
• Warming the milk to room temperature prevents it from cooling the batter and helps maintain the proper consistency.
• Gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant colors without thinning the batter.
• Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
• For layered batter, piping bags allow for more precise and neat layers than spooning.

Keywords: Rainbow Cupcakes, Vanilla Frosting, Layered Cupcakes, Colorful Cupcakes, Party Cupcakes, Fun Baking