Unicorn Cupcakes are whimsical, colorful treats topped with swirls of pastel frosting and sprinkles. Perfect for birthdays, parties, or any magical celebration. Easy to make and fun to decorate, theyโre a hit with kids and adults alike.
Unicorn Cupcakes are the ultimate party treat. Bright, whimsical, and full of magic. With swirls of pastel frosting, glittery sprinkles, and fun decorations like horns or ears, these cupcakes bring a burst of color and joy to any celebration.
Whether you’re baking for a birthday, baby shower, or just a fun weekend project, unicorn cupcakes are sure to impress kids and adults alike. If you have kiddos that love anything unicorn, this easy cupcake recipe is a must try and a fun Unicorn Dessert.
Unicorn Fudge Recipe, Unicorn Sugar Cookies, Unicorn Poop Cookies and Unicorn Ice Cream are more fun unicorn themed recipe you need to try.
Table of contents
Why We Love This
- Fun and Festive โ With bright colors, sprinkles, and playful decorations, they instantly add joy to any celebration.
- Perfect for Parties โ Ideal for birthdays, baby showers, or themed events. Theyโre always a crowd favorite.
- Easy to Customize โ Choose your own color palette, decorations, and flavors to match any theme or style.
- Kid-Approved โ The magical look and sweet taste make them a guaranteed hit with little ones.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- White Cake Mix. A convenient and versatile base for colorful unicorn cupcakes. You can also use your favorite homemade white cake recipe if preferred.
- Gold Fondant Icing. Perfect for creating unicorn horns, stars, or other magical decorations. Shaping and adding sparkle takes these cupcakes to the next level.
- Multi-Colored Sprinkles. Use a mix of pastel or rainbow sprinkles to give your cupcakes that fun, whimsical look.
Buttercream Frosting
- Unsalted Butter (Softened). The base of a rich, creamy buttercream. Make sure itโs at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Powdered Sugar. Adds sweetness and structure to your frosting. Sift it first to avoid lumps.
- Pink, Blue, and Purple Food Coloring. Use gel or liquid food coloring to create swirls of dreamy pastel frosting. These shades give the cupcakes their signature unicorn look.
Find the complete ingredient list at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Fondant Options. If you canโt find gold fondant, yellow fondant works just as well for decorating horns, stars, or ears.
- Frosting Shortcuts. To save time, use pre-made frosting. You can still tint it with food coloring and pipe it into fun swirls.
- Unicorn Horn Alternatives. Swap fondant horns for mini waffle cones. Just trim and decorate them with edible glitter or colored frosting for a cute and easy alternative.
- Cupcake Flavors. While vanilla is a classic base, feel free to use any flavor you love. Chocolate, strawberry, lemon, or even funfetti all work great.
- Cupcake Liners. Use colorful or themed liners to coordinate with your frosting colors and party dรฉcor. Metallic or pastel liners also add a magical touch.
- Custom Frosting Colors. Get creative with the frosting! Use any combination of colors to match your event or party theme.
- Sprinkle Choices. Any type of sprinkles will work. Rainbow jimmies, stars, pearls, or edible glitter. Let the kids help decorate for extra fun!
Step By Step Instructions
- 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.ย Frost cupcakes on the top with the swirl frosting.ย Top each cupcake with a unicorn horn, 2 ears and the multicolored sprinkles.ย
Storage
Room Temperature (Unfrosted or Buttercream Frosting):
Store unfrosted cupcakes or those with buttercream frosting in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator (Frosted with Fondant Decorations):
If your cupcakes are fully decorated with fondant or perishable toppings, store them in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to 4โ5 days. Let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving for best texture.
Freezing:
You can freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months. Wrap each cupcake tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
Avoid Moisture on Fondant:
If using fondant decorations, keep them away from direct moisture (like condensation) to avoid melting or becoming sticky.
Pro Tips
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients. Make sure your butter is fully softened before making the frosting. This helps everything mix smoothly and results in a creamy, lump-free texture.
- Cool Cupcakes Completely. Let the cupcakes cool fully before decorating. Even a little warmth can melt the frosting and cause fondant or decorations to slide off.
- Let Fondant Dry in Advance. If you’re using fondant for unicorn horns, ears, or other shapes, make them ahead of time and let them dry completely. This helps them hold their shape and makes them easier to handle.
- Use a Mason Jar to Fill Piping Bags. Place your piping bag inside a mason jar and fold the edges over the rim. This makes filling the bag much easier and less messy.
- Choose the Right Piping Tip. A large star tip works beautifully to create those classic unicorn frosting swirls. You can experiment with other tips, but the star tip gives that magical, bakery-style look.
- Prep Multiple Frosting Colors. For perfect swirls, add different colored frostings side-by-side in one piping bag, or use a multi-chamber bag for a cleaner, more defined effect.
More Unique Cupcake Recipes
- Key Lime Cupcakes
- Cherry Limeade Cupcake Recipe
- Strawberry Lemonade Cupcake Recipe
- Christmas Tree Cupcake Cake
Make these adorable magical marshmallow unicorn cupcakes for a sweet treat for any unicorn lover. 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.ย 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.ย 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.ย Roll the plastic wrap around the frosting like a log and seal the ends.ย Repeat this process with the other 2 colors of the frosting.ย Cut off one tip of each of the plastic wrapped frostings.ย 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!
