A delightful assortment of birthday cupcakes, each decorated with vibrant buttercream frosting in shades of pink, blue, yellow, and green. The cupcakes are adorned with rainbow sprinkles, edible glitter, and some are topped with candles, making them perfect for a festive celebration. They are arranged on a cheerful party table surrounded by balloons, party hats, and confetti, creating a playful and joyful scene ideal for a birthday party. The colorful presentation adds to the excitement, making these cupcakes a true highlight of the celebration.

Birthday Cake Cupcakes Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup whole milk
• ¼ cup rainbow sprinkles (optional)

For the Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
6. Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles for a funfetti effect, if desired.
7. Divide the batter among the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
8. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let them cool completely.

Buttercream Frosting

1. Beat the softened butter until creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until smooth.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of cream. Beat until light and fluffy.
4. Divide and tint the frosting with food coloring, if desired.

Decoration

1. Once the cupcakes are cool, frost them with a piping bag or spatula.
2. Top with sprinkles for a fun, festive finish.

Tips for Customization:

• Themed Decorations: Use themed cupcake liners and toppings (like edible glitter or fondant) to match the birthday party theme.
• Frosting Flavors: Try adding a dash of almond or lemon extract to the frosting for a twist on the classic vanilla buttercream.
• Colorful Funfetti: For even more fun, add different colored sprinkles inside the batter for a surprise funfetti effect when the cupcakes are bitten into!

These Birthday Cake Cupcakes are the perfect party treat—colorful, easy to eat, and customizable for any birthday celebration!