Rainbow Cupcakes

Yesterday, I hosted 6 of the Tiny Teen's preschool friends for some outdoor water slide fun.  Adding my own 2 princesses to the mix, that puts my little crowd at 8 kids...5 and under.  Thank goodness their mommies came along to offer help, support, and adult conversation!

The plan was for them to play on the inflatable water slide all morning and then stay through lunch.  What's the best part of having 8 kids around for lunch you ask?  Having 8 people VERY excited about dessert!

My criteria for dessert was this...I wanted to pick something kid friendly and FUN!  That's when I landed on Rainbow Cupcakes.

These little cupcakes are as cute as they can be!  The princesses and their friends loved them too.  Only issue?  They are a wee labor intensive.  Ok, more than a "wee."  More like "very."

Here are the "How To's:"

• First you make your cake batter.  Choose a white cake mix.  You can make it "as is," or for a denser cake add: a 4-serving box of instant vanilla pudding mix, 4 large egg whites, 1 cup of sour cream, 1/2 cup of warm water, and 1/3 cup of oil.  
• Once you have mixed your cake batter, divide it evenly into six different bowls.  (I used a little over 3/4 of a cup per bowl just to give you an idea of how much per bowl.)
• Color your batter: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.  Click here for a helpful link on how to achieve the right color, as well as any extra help in making these cupcakes.
• Line your cupcake pan with cupcake liners.  My recipe yielded 18 cupcakes.
• Starting with the purple batter, add enough to spread out along the bottom of the liner.  Next add blue, green, yellow, orange, and red.  Spread the batter as best you can after each addition.  This is the labor intensive part I spoke of earlier.
• Lastly, cook them according to the times and temperatures on the box.  I always check mine early, because I don't want an overcooked cupcake.

Once the cupcakes cooled, I used white frosting in a jar.  To be honest, it was in a spray can.  It's Pillsbury's new "Easy Frost."  And by golly, it is easy!  You just spray it out like easy cheese.  It even has a pretty little decorative top just perfect to make my cupcakes look their prettiest!  Lastly, and because they are kids, I sprinkled on some rainbow sprinkles.  The perfect finishing touch to some mighty adorable cupcakes.

You may wonder, how did the kids enjoy them?  They loved them!  Although to be honest, I think they would have loved anything for dessert.  So I'll give you an adult's perspective...they are adorable and delicious!

When you make these, because I know a little part of you wants to, please serve them without the cupcake liners.  They are just too cute to be hidden away!  Enjoy!

If you are looking for reusable baking cups, try these!