Unicorn Cupcakes with a Tie-Dye Effect and Buttercream Frosting

I'm so excited and so happy you are here to learn how to make tie-dye unicorn cupcakes.

These cupcakes are so fun to make and so much easier than they look.

I know at first it can seem tricky, even intimidating, but trust me!

You can make these tie-dye cupcakes with no problem whatsoever.



Bake them for a party, or for your family, or just for an audience of one.

Whoever you give these cupcakes to is going to be impressed with your skills and they'll love the lighthearted magical feeling we all get from anything unicorn everywhere we go.

You will be surprised by how simple the process of making tie-dye cupcakes is.



Unicorns and Glitter

This recipe does not call for accessories to dress your cupcake with.

The tie-dye unicorn cupcakes are completely open to your own interpretation.

That means you can be totally creative and decorate these cupcakes as little or as much as you like.



The more detailed the better, but be advised that the recipe does not rely on plastic ears, a horn, or any other accessory for the unicorn effect.

The colours say it all and, of course, you can never go wrong with lots of edible glitter!



If you do have some unicorn accessories lying around and can't wait to use them, that's great too.

We used these cute edible unicorn horns and ears to decorate the cupcakes.

It all depends on the look you are going for and the skill level you are comfortable with.



Buttercream

The cake and the frosting are very similar, the cake batter includes cream cheese which makes this cupcake one of the best tasting I have ever had.

The buttercream on top is absolutely perfect for this dessert.

It's a winning combination of sweetness and creamy texture that makes these tie-dye unicorn cupcakes a dream come true.

I hope you enjoy it and, mostly, I hope you have lots of fun making these!



Tie-Dye Unicorn Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

To make the cupcakes

Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ¾ cups white granulated sugar
1-3.56 oz box of vanilla pudding
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
½ cup butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Yellow, pink, and teal food coloring



Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place cupcake cases in a standard muffin tin.

2. To make the cupcakes, combine the flour, sugar, pudding mix, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Mix the dry ingredients together well.



3. Using a hand or stand mixer, cream the butter for 1-2 minutes, or until light and fluffy.



4. Mix in the cream cheese until well incorporated, and then do the same with the vanilla extract.




5. On low, gently mix in the egg whites.



6. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

7. Slowly add in the creamer and mix on medium for 1 minute.



8. Divide the batter evenly between 3 small bowls.

9. Add a drop or two of food colouring into each bowl until the desired colour is achieved.

10. Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, add a small amount of each colour batter into the muffin tin until each is about 2/3 full.

This will give you the tie dye effect.

You can also use a toothpick to swirl the colours together.



11. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.

12. Allow to cool completely before frosting.


To make the frosting

Ingredients

1 stick salted butter, softened 
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla creamer
Yellow, pink, and teal food coloring
4 small piping bags, 1 large piping bag or 1 tri-color piping kit, 1 large frosting tip
Edible glitter, optional



Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese.



2. Beat until light and fluffy.



3. Add in the vanilla extract.



4. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, while adding a bit of milk in between each cup.  for 1 minute or until creamy.



5. Separate the frosting into 3 bowls. Add a drop or two of food colouring into each bowl until the desired colour is achieved.



6. Prepare frosting bags/kit and put each colour frosting into a separate bag.



7. Place the 3 smaller piping bags into the larger piping bag or connect to a tri-piping tip.

8. Pipe frosting onto each cupcake.



9. Sprinkle the frosting with white or silver edible glitter and serve.




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