I’m so excited to share this recipe with you all! Every year, around Mardi Gras, I get this huge craving for something sweet and colorful, and what’s better than Mardi Gras Cupcakes? Honestly, the idea of these festive treats just screams “party” to me. I’ve been dreaming up the perfect batch for weeks now, and let me tell you, I’ve baked a LOT of cupcakes in my time! These are pretty easy, and trust me, you’ll feel like you brought New Orleans right into your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love These Delicious Mardi Gras Cupcakes
Okay, friends, let me tell you why you NEED to make these cupcakes ASAP! First off, they are ridiculously easy—seriously, even if you’re a total baking newbie. They’re also super festive, perfect for any Mardi Gras bash. The flavor? To die for! And honestly, they’re just so darn pretty. They’ll brighten up any party table guaranteed!
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Best Mardi Gras Cupcakes
Alright, let’s gather our ingredients! You’ll need one box of yellow cake mix (because we’re keeping it easy!), plus water, vegetable oil, and three large eggs. Don’t skimp on the sprinkles – a whole cup of purple, green, and gold is the goal! For the frosting, grab some softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Oh, and of course, extra sprinkles for topping! Trust me, the more sprinkles the merrier!
How to Make Perfect Mardi Gras Cupcakes: Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Cupcake Batter
Okay, let’s get baking! First up, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with those cute cupcake liners. Seriously, don’t skip the liners; they save a world of mess later! Take a large bowl, and toss in your cake mix, water, oil, and eggs. Get your electric mixer ready – you’ll want to beat it all together until it’s perfectly combined. *Then* and this is important, gently fold in a cup of those amazing sprinkles. Trust me, it makes all the difference!
Baking the Mardi Gras Cupcakes to Perfection
Now, fill those cupcake liners about 2/3 full, and pop them in the oven. Bake them for about 18-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them, but resist the urge to open the oven door too early! You’ll know they’re ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely in the tin before frosting – super important! I made a mistake once, frosted warm cupcakes, and let’s just say, it wasn’t pretty. Learn from me!
Making the Frosting
Alright, frosting time! You’ll need softened butter. Beat it until it’s smooth and creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with a little bit of milk. Keep mixing until you hit that perfect consistency – it should be thick enough to hold its shape, but still spreadable. Finally, stir in that vanilla, and you’re good to go! You can even check out this recipe for some frosting inspiration.
Decorating Your Mardi Gras Cupcakes
Now, for the fun part! Frost those cooled cupcakes generously. Then, get creative with your sprinkle game! Pile them on, make designs, or just go wild! For extra flair, I like to gently press some of the sprinkles into the frosting just before they set. It give them a little extra sparkle! You can also check out this great recipe for easy Hershey’s red velvet blossoms cookies here. Now, go ahead and get those cupcakes ready for the party!
Tips for Success with Your Mardi Gras Cupcakes
Okay, friends, let me give you a few insider tips to make these cupcakes the BEST. First, make sure you’re using room temperature ingredients – it really does make a difference! Your butter should be softened, but not melted. And trust me on this: don’t overmix the batter! You want them light and fluffy, not tough. Also, don’t be shy with the sprinkles! Seriously, the more, the merrier. I always have a little extra on hand for a final flourish.
Variations on Mardi Gras Cupcakes You Can Try
Okay, let’s get creative and jazz up those cupcakes! You could totally change up the frosting – try a cream cheese frosting for a tangy twist, or how about a chocolate buttercream? You could even swap the yellow cake mix for something fun like a vanilla or chocolate cake base! And when it comes to decorating, go wild with different color combinations. Maybe try some purple and gold swirls?? For even more fun recipes, check out these cookies — or borrow ideas for other decorations!
Serving Suggestions for Your Festive Mardi Gras Cupcakes
Okay, so you’ve baked these amazing Mardi Gras Cupcakes, and now you need to serve them! For drinks, it’s gotta be a fruity punch or even some colorful cocktails. Think anything bubbly and fun! Don’t forget some beads and masks for your guests – it sets the mood! My favorite thing is to serve these goodies with mini king cakes. One year, at my Mardi Gras party, everyone loved the cupcakes *and* the king cake, and it was a total hit!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Mardi Gras Cupcakes
So, you’ve made a whole batch of these amazing Mardi Gras Cupcakes, and you *might* have some leftovers (though I doubt it!). The key to keeping them fresh is a good airtight container. Pop them in there and store them at room temperature for up to three days. Seriously, they’ll still taste amazing! You can’t really reheat cupcakes, but who needs to? Just enjoy! If you want them extra firm, store them in the fridge!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Mardi Gras Cupcakes
Okay, friends, let’s talk numbers! Keep in mind, this is just an estimate, because the exact values can change depending on brands and ingredient amounts. But generally speaking, each delicious Mardi Gras Cupcake has around 250 calories. You’re looking at about 12g of fat, 30g of sugar, 2g of protein, and 35g of carbs. The sodium is around 150mg. But hey, it’s a party; everything in moderation!
Frequently Asked Questions About Mardi Gras Cupcakes
Okay, so you’ve baked these beauties, and you probably have some questions! I get it! Baking can be fun, but sometimes those quick questions need some quick answers. So, here are a few things I get asked *all the time* about my Mardi Gras Cupcakes. Hopefully, this helps! If you have more questions, don’t be shy – just ask! Oh, and if you want another tasty recipe, consider making an apple crisp! Here’s a yummy one: apple crisp!
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Absolutely! These cupcakes are kind of perfect for making ahead! You can bake the cupcakes a day or two in advance and store them, unfrosted, in an airtight container at room temperature. Then, just frost them right before your Mardi Gras party. Easy peasy!
How do I store leftover Mardi Gras Cupcakes?
If (and it’s a big *if*) you have any leftovers, the best way to store them is in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and moist for about 2-3 days. Don’t worry about the fridge – they’re best at room temperature, trust me!
Can I freeze these Mardi Gras Cupcakes?
Yes, you can! The best way to freeze them is unfrosted. Place the cooled cupcakes in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to eat them, simply thaw them at room temperature and frost at your leisure. Happy baking!
Print
Easy Halloween Cookies for Beginners
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Festive, colorful, and beginner-friendly Halloween cookies made with a simple sugar cookie base and easy decorating ideas — perfect for first-time bakers and fun for all ages.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For decorations: candy eyes, orange and black sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, melted chocolate (dark, white, or dyed), small candies like M&Ms or candy corn
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture until just combined.
- For easiest results, scoop dough into balls for drop cookies. For shaped cookies, roll dough to ¼-inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.
- Press in candy eyes or sprinkles before baking if you want them set into the cookie.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, until edges are set but not browned.
- Cool completely before adding icing, melted chocolate, or other decorations.
Notes
Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading. Use zip-top bags for piping icing if you don’t have pastry bags.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: halloween cookies, beginner baking, easy halloween treats, decorated cookies