DIY Mermaid Cupcake Recipe Your Kids Will Love

Mermaids have always captured children’s imagination, and what better way to bring their enchanting world to life than through delicious mermaid-themed cupcakes? They’re perfect for any event, including birthdays, summer parties, and cookouts! Using this mermaid cupcake recipe, we’ll guide you through creating adorable DIY mermaid cupcakes. From preparing the cupcakes, frosting them, and decorating them with shimmering scales seashells, get ready to embark on a fun, creative baking adventure.

Cupcake Recipe

What You’ll Need:

• 1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup of milk 
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• Optional: Food coloring (blue, teal, purple, pink)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This can be done with an electric mixer or by hand.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Optional: Add your food coloring in here to change the color of the batter.
7. Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
8. Bake the cupcakes in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Related: Fluffy Pancake Recipe

Frosting Recipe

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups of powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup of whole milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Food coloring (blue, teal, purple, pink, green)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Add the milk and vanilla extract. Continue beating until smooth and fluffy.
4. Add in your food coloring. Transfer the frosting into separate bowls if you’d like more than one color.
5. Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them with the vanilla buttercream.
6. Transfer the frosting to piping bags fitted with decorative tips for easy application.

Decorate with Mermaid-inspired Elements

• Start by piping the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes, creating swirls or peaks to resemble ocean waves. 
• Sprinkle edible glitter or pearl candies on top for a magical touch. 
• Use seashell-shaped candies or fondant cutouts to mimic underwater treasures. 
• For shimmering scales, pipe small dots of frosting in a pattern across the cupcakes using different shades of the mermaid colors. 
• You can also add edible mermaid tails made from molded chocolate or fondant. Plus, if your kids are old enough, they can help you with this process!

Once you finish decorating your mermaid cupcakes, gather your kiddos and indulge in this sweet and whimsical treat. Share the joy by gifting these delightful creations to friends and family or by hosting a mermaid-themed party.