St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake Recipe
This St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake Recipe might be the most magical dessert this blog has dreamed up. This eye-catching, frilly cupcake puts the fun in this middle-of-March holiday. You don’t need a particular reason to make these St. Patrick’s Day Unicorn Cupcakes. And anything unicorn-related is all the rage right now. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party or want to have fun in the kitchen, these cupcakes are perfect.
Who Was St. Patrick and Why Do We Celebrate?
St. Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture on or around March 17, in honor of a saint who ministered Christianity.
☘️ Saint Patrick’s Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick, has evolved into a celebration of parades, special foods, parties, music, dancing, and drinking.
Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at age 16. He later escaped but returned to Ireland and is credited with bringing Christianity to its people.
St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake Recipe Ingredients
- 1 Box French Vanilla Cake Mix
- Eggs
- Vegetable Oil
- Water
- Green Gel Food Coloring
How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes
Preheat the oven according to the directions on the cake mix box, usually 350°F. Line two 12-cup standard muffin tins with cupcake paper liners and set them aside. In a stand mixer, combine all the ingredients as instructed until smooth.
Divide the batter into two bowls and mix a few drops of green food coloring into one bowl. Fill the cupcake liners by alternating between the green batter and the plain batter, scooping about one tablespoon each until the liners are about ⅔ full. Bake for 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cupcakes comes out clean, following the suggested baking times on the cake mix box.
If the cupcakes are not done, check again every 2-3 minutes until they are fully baked. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool. Transfer them to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before frosting.
How to Make St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake Frosting
Creating the St. Patrick’s Day Unicorn Cupcake frosting is a breeze and fun. Start by combining butter, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract in a stand mixer. Mix on medium speed until the frosting is smooth and well combined.
Set aside ¼ cups of the frosting in a small bowl. Add 2-3 drops of green gel food coloring and mix until evenly colored. Scoop the green frosting into one side of a piping bag, and then add the remaining white frosting to the other side of the same bag. Squeeze the piping bag gently to ensure both colors combine, creating a beautiful swirl.
Using the piping bag, frost the top of each cupcake. Place a unicorn horn icing decoration in the center of the frosting. Add one “ear” on each side of the horn, and position the “wink” eye icing sprinkle below the horn where the eyes should be. Finally, sprinkle St. Patrick’s Day decorations around the ears and horn to complete the magical look. Enjoy your whimsical, festive treats!
St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake Recipe
Equipment
- Cupcake Pan
- Cupcake Wrappers/Liners
- 1 Small Bowl
- Disposable Piping Bags with Medium Star Tip
Ingredients
St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes
- 1 box French Vanilla Cake Mix
- 3 eggs (per cake box instructions)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil (per cake box instructions)
- 1 cup water (per cake box instructions)
- green gel food coloring
St. Patrick's Day Cupcake Vanilla Frosting
- 3 cups unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 5-7 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- green gel food coloring
- St. Patrick's Day sprinkles
- Wilton Unicorn icing decorations (Found at Walmart stores)
Instructions
St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes
- Preheat oven as per directions on cake mix box (usually 350°F).
- Line two 12-cup standard muffin tins with cupcake paper liners. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer, combine all ingredients as instructed until smooth.
- Divide the batter into two bowls.
- Mix in a few drops of green food coloring into one bowl.
- Fill the cupcake liners by alternating between the green batter and the plain one; scoop about 1 tbsp of batter each into the cupcake liners until about ⅔ full.
- Bake for 22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. (Review the cake mix box and follow baking times suggested on package).
- If the cupcakes are not done when you check with a toothpick, check again every 2-3 minutes until they are done.
- Remove cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool.
- Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.
St. Patrick's Day Cupcake Frosting
- Using a standing mixer combine the butter, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and mix on medium speed until combined and smooth.
- Set aside 1/4 C of frosting in the small bowl and mix in 2 – 3 drops of green food coloring and mix until combined.
- Scoop the green frosting into 1 side of the piping bag.
- Scoop the remaining frosting into the piping bag.
- Squeeze the piping bag to make sure that both colors will pipe out of the tip.
Unicorn Cupcake Decoration
- Using the frosting bag, pipe frosting onto the top of the cupcake.
- Using the Unicorn Horn icing decoration, place it into the top middle of the frosting.
- Place 1 "Ear" on both sides of the horn.
- Place the "Wink" eye icing sprinkle under the horn where eyes should go.
- Place the St Patrick's day sprinkles anywhere around the ears and horn of the cupcakes.
Notes
Year-Round Magic: Transforming Unicorn Cupcakes for Any Occasion
Transform your unicorn cupcakes to fit any season or celebration with simple tweaks. Swap out the cupcake liners and food coloring to create perfect unicorn treats year-round. Imagine pastel shades for spring, vibrant reds and blues for summer, warm autumn hues, or festive reds and greens for winter holidays. The process is just as magical: bake the cupcakes, add the whimsical ears, top them off with a shimmering horn, and finish with a few cheeky winks. Voila! Your unicorn cupcakes are ready to steal the spotlight at any party, no matter the time of year!
If you made this recipe, I would love to see pictures of your St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes. Feel free to comment below or connect with me on my Facebook page.
