Name: Delicious King Cake Cupcakes for Mardi Gras
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: For the Cupcakes:; 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; 1 ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt; 2 large eggs, room temperature; ¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk, room temperature; ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil; 1 tsp vanilla extract; For the Cinnamon Swirl:; 2 tbsp granulated sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; For the Icing:; 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar, sifted; 3-4 tbsp milk or heavy cream; Purple, green, and yellow/gold gel food coloring; Mardi Gras sprinkles; 1 small edible figurine or blanched almond (optional)

Description

Celebrate Mardi Gras with these easy-to-make and incredibly moist King Cake Cupcakes. Featuring a delightful cinnamon swirl and vibrant Mardi Gras icing, they’re a festive treat for any gathering.

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:
1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk, room temperature
½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Icing:
2 cups (240g) powdered sugar, sifted
3–4 tbsp milk or heavy cream
Purple, green, and yellow/gold gel food coloring
Mardi Gras sprinkles
1 small edible figurine or blanched almond (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare Oven & Liners: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp granulated sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon for the swirl; set aside.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
4. Combine & Swirl: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined (do not overmix). Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over each, then gently swirl with a toothpick. Insert edible baby/almond into one cupcake if desired.
5. Bake: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Make Icing: In a medium bowl, whisk powdered sugar and 3-4 tbsp milk until smooth. Divide into three bowls and tint purple, green, and yellow/gold with food coloring.
7. Decorate: Once cupcakes are completely cool, drizzle with colored icings, alternating colors. Immediately top with Mardi Gras sprinkles.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins