This easy Football Cupcakes Recipe will be the star of the Super Bowl Party. The rich chocolate cake and buttercream frosting combine for the best treat.
These delicious and fun football shaped cupcakes are so easy to make. This easy cupcake recipe is the perfect dessert to make for Game Day, sports themed parties and more. Plus, each bite is so rich and tasty.
You are going to love how these turn out. They are so fun and one of the easiest Super Bowl Desserts.
My family also loves when I make Football Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Football Pull Apart Cupcakes ,Football Sugar Cookies and this Football Cake.
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe
We love to make these, and the kids can help. This recipe comes together quick and easy.
The cupcakes use a cake mix and the frosting is homemade. It is fabulous for football season. Cheer on your favorite team and get ready for a touchdown!
For something different try, Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- Devil’s Food Cake Mix. Plus, ingredients to prepare the mix based on the package instructions.
- Green Cupcake Liners. You want the cupcakes to look like a football on a football field.
Frosting
- Butter. Softened at room temperature.
- Clear Vanilla Extract. Clear is recommended.
- Confectioners’ Sugar. Sift to remove lumps.
- Milk. You can use any type you prefer but whole milk will be the richest.
Get the entire ingredient list at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Cupcakes. You can use any type you prefer. Feel free to substitute vanilla, Funfetti or any variety you enjoy.
- Homemade. We used store bought but you can make homemade chocolate cupcakes if you would like.
- Team Colors. Green cupcake liners pair nicely but you can also use team colors.
- Sprinkles. Garnish the cupcakes with sprinkles around the edges.
- Chocolate Chips. Sprinkle chocolate chips in the cupcake batter for even more chocolate flavor.
- Group into a cake. Another fun option for this recipe is to group all the cupcakes together into the shape of a football. Then top with brown frosting over all the cupcakes and top with the white icing.
- Store Bought Frosting. Instead of homemade, you can purchase frosting at the grocery store. This will save a little bit of time if you are in a hurry.
How to Make Football Cupcakes
Step 1. Get out a large mixing bowl. Prepare the devil’s food cake mix based on the cupcake instructions. Pour the batter into muffin tins and bake. Then allow the cupcakes to cool on a wire rack.
Step 2. Make the frosting while the cupcakes cool. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and unsalted butter until smooth.
Step 3. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar. I would add 1 cup at a time on low speed until well combined.
Step 4. Then stir in the vanilla extract and milk until combined. The mixture should be a smooth and creamy consistency.
Step 5. Separate the frosting into 2 bowls. Remove approximately ½ cup of the frosting to a separate bowl for the laces on the footballs. Then add the cocoa powder to the remaining frosting to make the brown football frosting.
Step 6. Next, place the brown frosting in a piping bag with a large star tip. Pipe the brown frosting onto the cupcakes in a swirl pattern in the shape of a football.
Step 7. Let the chocolate icing on top of the cupcake set a few minutes and make the laces. Place the white frosting in a piping bag with a small round tip. Use this pastry bag to pipe the football laces onto each cupcake.
Step 8. Then the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!
Storage
Store the leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. We have a cupcake carrier that is perfect for storing cupcakes and traveling as well.
You do not have to store them in the fridge.
Can I Fill These Cupcakes With Anything?
Yes, this is an option. You can use a pastry bag and put the filling inside each cupcake.
Some ideas include: Pudding, melted chocolate, caramel, cream and more.
This is an easy way to make the cupcakes even more spectacular. Everyone will enjoy the surprise in the middle.
Pro Tips
- Piping the frosting – If you do not have a piping bag, use a ziploc bag. Cut off the corner and pipe the design. It will be more difficult to do but works in a pinch.
- Let the cupcakes cool – Allow the cupcakes to cool before adding the frosting.
- Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar -Gradually add the powdered sugar when making the frosting. It will be easier to blend and achieve the desired texture.
- Let the frosting set – Allow the chocolate frosting to set a few minutes before piping the white laces on top. This will make it easier and will allow for clean lines.
- Room Temperature Butter –Use room temperature butter in this recipe. It is easier to work with and combines for a smother texture.
- Use Clear vanilla -Clear vanilla extract is best in this recipe. The white icing will be a bright shade of white when you use clear extract.
More Football Desserts
- Football Cookie Pops
- Football Dirt Cups
- Easy Football Shaped Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- Football Brownies
- Football Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Make these adorable football cupcakes with this easy tutorial. Then come back and leave a comment.
Football Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- Devil’s Food Cake Mix
- *Ingredients to prepare the mix based on the package instructions
- Green Cupcake Liners
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup Solid Vegetable Shortening
- 1 cup Butter softened at room temperature
- 2 tsp Clear Vanilla Extract
- 8 cups Confectioners’ Sugar sifted
- 4 Tbsp Milk
- 2/3 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Instructions
- Prepare the devil’s food cake mix based on the cupcake instructions using the green cupcake liners and allow the cupcakes to cool completely at room temperature.
- In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and butter until combined and smooth.
- Then slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar (1 cup at a time) on low speed until well combined.
- Then stir in the vanilla extract and milk until combined.
- Remove approximately ½ cup of the frosting to a separate bowl for the laces on the footballs.
- Add the cocoa powder to the remaining frosting to make the brown footballs frosting.
- Place the brown frosting in a piping bag with a large star tip. Pipe the brown frosting onto the cupcakes in a swirl pattern in the shape of a football. Let the frosting set for a few minutes.
- Place the white frosting in a piping bag with a small round tip. Use this pastry bag to pipe the laces onto each cupcake.
- Then the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!
