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Flavorful Tie-Dye Vanilla Cupcakes with Easy Rainbow Buttercream

tie-dye vanilla cupcakes - featured image
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These vibrant tie-dye vanilla cupcakes feature a moist, tender crumb and are topped with a silky smooth rainbow buttercream. Perfect for celebrations or brightening everyday moments, this recipe is quick, easy, and fun for bakers of all skill levels.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ teaspoons (6g) baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon (3g) salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 ½ teaspoons (7ml) pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk, warmed slightly (or almond milk for dairy-free)
  • Gel food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
  • For the Rainbow Buttercream:
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30-45ml) heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons (10ml) pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
  5. With mixer on low, alternately add dry ingredients and warmed milk in three parts, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into 6 small bowls. Add a few drops of gel food coloring to each bowl and stir gently.
  7. Using spoons or small ladles, drop small amounts of each colored batter into cupcake liners in layers or random patterns without swirling too much.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. To make buttercream, beat softened butter until creamy (about 2 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low speed to avoid sugar clouds.
  10. Add vanilla extract and heavy cream, then beat on high for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
  11. Divide buttercream into 6 bowls and tint each with gel food coloring.
  12. Spoon each color side by side into a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
  13. Pipe rainbow buttercream onto cooled cupcakes in a spiral from outside inward to create the tie-dye swirl.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the batter. Avoid overmixing colored batter to keep distinct swirls. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent buttercream from melting. Sift powdered sugar for smooth buttercream. Adjust buttercream consistency with heavy cream or powdered sugar as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: vanilla cupcakes, tie-dye cupcakes, rainbow buttercream, colorful cupcakes, easy cupcakes, party cupcakes, fun baking, vanilla dessert

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/flavorful-tie-dye-vanilla-cupcakes-with-easy-rainbow-buttercream-recipe/