These easy Unicorn Cupcakes will be the hit of any birthday party. They are so fun and whimsical while being delicious. This sweet treat is easy to make!
If you have kiddos that love anything unicorn, this easy cupcake recipe is a must try and a fun Unicorn Dessert. It is so easy and starts with a cake mix. The tasty cupcakes are topped with homemade buttercream frosting and transformed into whimsical unicorns.
Unicorn Fudge Recipe, Unicorn Sugar Cookies, Unicorn Poop Cookies and Unicorn Ice Cream are more fun unicorn themed recipe you need to try. For a fun party treat, try Birthday Cake Pops.
Table of contents
Why we love this recipe
The ease of the cake mix makes this recipe effortless. With simple step by step instructions, anyone can make this magical treat for a first birthday party, baby shower and other celebrations.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- White Cake Mix.
- Gold Fondant Icing
- Multi-Colored Sprinkles
Buttercream Frosting
- Unsalted Butter, softened
- Powdered Sugar
- Pink, Blue and Purple Food Coloring
Find the complete ingredient list at the bottom of the page.
Variation ideas
- Fondant. You can use yellow fondant if you are unable to find gold fondant.
- Frosting. You can use pre-made frosting to save more time on this recipe if you prefer.
- Unicorn Horn. Instead of fondant, you can substitute an ice cream cone for this. Just use the small waffle cone style ones for another unicorn cupcake idea.
- Cupcakes. We used vanilla cupcakes but you can use any flavor you prefer. Chocolate cupcakes, strawberry, lemon and more would be delicious.
- Cupcake liners. We used bright and fun colors that coordinate with the icing. Feel free to use whatever you prefer.
- Different colors. You can use any colors you like to make the frosting. Change things up and use different colors for the swirls if you want to match other themes.
- Sprinkles. Any type of sprinkles can be used on the frosting. Kids love sprinkles and it is always a fun topping.
How to make unicorn cupcakes
- Step 1. Make the cupcakes. Prepare the cupcakes based on the package instructions in a large bowl. Allow them to cool completely before decorating the cupcakes.
Step 2. While the cupcakes cool, make the unicorn horns. Roll the gold fondant into ropes. Then wrap the ropes around the end of a skewer or lollipop stick making one side smaller. Allow to dry.
Step 3. Make the ears. Cut the mini marshmallows in half diagonally for the ears of the unicorns. It is very simple.
Step 4. Combine the butter and confectioners’ sugar until combined and smooth with a mixer. Then add in the milk and vanilla extract. Mix for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Step 5. Separate the frosting. Divide the frosting into 3 bowls. Dye one bowl pink, one bowl blue and the remaining bowl purple.
Step 6. Next, lay out a piece of plastic wrap and place one color of the frosting in the center of the plastic wrap. Roll the plastic wrap around the frosting like a log and seal. Repeat this process with the other 2 colors of the frosting. Cut off one tip of each.
Step 7. Then place all 3, cut side first, into a large piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Frost the top of the cupcake with the swirl frosting. Top each cupcake with a unicorn horn, 2 ears and the multicolored sprinkles.
Storage
Store the leftover frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Can you make these ahead of time?
The cupcakes can be made ahead of time and stored until ready to use. However, for the best appearance, I suggest making the cupcakes and waiting to decorate when ready to serve.
Pro Tips
- Room temperature ingredients. Make sure the butter is room temperature prior to combining the frosting ingredients. It will be easier and result in a smoother texture.
- Allow to dry. The fondant needs to dry completely before being placed on the cupcake.
- Use a mason jar to easily fill piping bags. Place the piping bags inside a mason jar, fold over the edges and fill with frosting. This will quickly and easily accomplish this task.
- Allow cupcakes to cool. I know it might seem obvious but they really do need to be completely cool before decorating. Even the slightest amount of warmth will make the icing and decorations lose their shape.
- Piping tip. We used a star piping tip and it was perfect to swirl the frosting into a gorgeous design. You can try other piping tips but our favorite for this is defintely the star tip.
More easy cupcake recipes
Make these adorable magical marshmallow unicorn cupcakes today. Then come back and leave a star rating and comment.
Unicorn Cupcakes
Ingredients
FOR THE CUPCAKES:
- 1 pkg White Cake Mix
- *Ingredients to prepare the cupcakes based on the package instructions
- 1 pkg Gold Fondant Icing 8.8 ounces
- 24 Mini Marshmallows
- Multi-Colored Sprinkles
FOR THE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter softened
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Milk
- 1 Tbsp Clear Vanilla Extract
- Pink, Blue and Purple Food Coloring
Instructions
For the Cupcakes:
- Prepare the cupcakes based on the package instructions and allow them to cool completely before decorating the cupcakes.
- While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting and unicorn horns.
For the Unicorn Horns:
- Roll the gold fondant into approximately 24 4-5 inch ropes. Then wrap the ropes around the end of a skewer or lollipop stick making one side smaller than the other to form the unicorn horns.
- Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment and allow them to dry.
- Cut the mini marshmallows in half diagonally for the ears of the unicorns.
For the Frosting:
- Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until combined and smooth. Then add in the milk and vanilla extract and mix for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Divide the frosting into 3 bowls. Dye one bowl pink, one bowl blue and the remaining bowl purple.
- Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and place one color of the frosting in the center of the plastic wrap. Roll the plastic wrap around the frosting like a log and seal the ends. Repeat this process with the other 2 colors of the frosting. Cut off one tip of each of the plastic wrapped frostings. Place all 3, cut side first, into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.
- To Decorate:
- Frost the cupcakes with the swirl frosting.
- Top each cupcake with a unicorn horn, 2 ears and the multicolored sprinkles.
- Then the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!
