Sunflower Cupcakes

These cute Sunflower Cupcakes make an adorable treat that's as fun to make as it is to eat!

Course Birthday Cakes & Cupcakes, Dessert, Desserts & Sweets

Cuisine American

Keyword flower cupcakes, sunflower cupcakes

Prep Time 45

Cook Time 30

Servings

Calories 418kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

1 box cake mix we used chocolate
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 cups butter unsalted, softened
1/2 cup heavy cream
9 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
yellow gel food coloring
orange gel food coloring
brown sprinkles

Instructions

Prepare the cupcakes according to the box directions (usually with water, vegetable oil and eggs). Bake and place them on a wire rack to cool.
1 box cake mix, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 3 eggs
Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
2 cups butter
Add the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix for 2-3 minutes, until frosting has formed.
1/2 cup heavy cream, 9 cups powdered sugar, 1 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
Add several drops of yellow food coloring, and just one drop of orange coloring. Mix well to combine.
yellow gel food coloring, orange gel food coloring
Add a thin layer of the yellow frosting to the top of each cupcake. Then, add another thicker layer, just to the outer edge of the cupcakes. Leave a small circle (about a 1½ inches) in the middle of each cupcake to hold the sprinkles.
Fit a piping bag with a #352 Wilton leaf piping tip and fill it with frosting. The best way to pipe the sunflower petals is to squeeze the frosting for 1-2 seconds to make the wider end of the petal, then let go and lift upward. Start with the outside of the cupcake and pipe petals all the way around the cupcake.
Repeat the process, working inwards to make a second row of petals and then a third, still leaving the center of the sunflower empty.
After you finish the petals, drop about ½ tbsp of chocolate sprinkles into the center of the cupcake. If needed, you can add more to cover the open spot.
brown sprinkles
Repeat for the remaining cupcakes and enjoy!

Notes

Be sure to use room temperature butter for the best results.
Don’t have chocolate sprinkles? Use mini chocolate chips or place a mini Oreo in the center instead.

Nutrition