Tie Dye Cupcakes with Swirled Batter and Frosting
Cut one of these cupcakes open and you find rainbow streaks running through a pale crumb, topped with frosting striped in bright ribbons. The trick is one drop of food coloring and a toothpick, so they are far easier than they look.
They suit birthdays, back-to-school treats and any party where you want something cheerful without much work.
What do you need for tie dye cupcakes?
Start with a yellow or white boxed cake mix. Chocolate batter is too dark for the colors to show, so skip it.
- 1 box yellow or white cake mix, plus the eggs, oil and water the box calls for
- Cupcake liners and a muffin pan
- Liquid or gel food coloring in several colors
- Toothpicks
- 1 jar prepared vanilla frosting
- Sprinkles or mini candy-coated chocolates for topping
How do you make them?
- Heat the oven and prepare the batter exactly as the box directs. Line the muffin pan with liners.
- Spoon the batter into the liners, filling them as the box suggests.
- Add a single drop of food coloring to the top of each unbaked cupcake. Using a different color for each one gives a mixed batch.
- Drag a toothpick through the drop in a couple of slow loops. Stop early. Too much stirring blends the color into the batter, and you lose the streaks.
- Bake for the time on the box, then cool the cupcakes completely in the pan or on a rack.
How do you make tie dye frosting?
The frosting follows the same idea as the batter. Scoop the frosting into a bowl, or divide it among a few small bowls if you want separate color families. Add a few drops of coloring and give it only a few stirs. You want the color spread out but still visible as ribbons, not mixed into one solid shade.
Spread or swirl the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes. For a bolder look, drop two or three colors into one bowl and fold once or twice before frosting. Finish with sprinkles or mini candy-coated chocolates while the frosting is soft, so they stick.
Which colors work best?
Bright primaries give the classic tie dye look: red, yellow, blue and green. Colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel, such as blue and green, stay clean. Pairs that sit opposite each other, such as red and green, can turn muddy where they meet. Gel coloring is more concentrated than liquid, so one small dab is enough.
Keep the frosting colors close to the ones in the cake. Matching them makes the cupcakes look planned, and you can use a mix of shades on a party tray.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Over-swirling. A few passes with the toothpick are enough. More than that gives you a solid tint.
- Adding too much coloring. Use one drop per cupcake for the batter. More can leave deep spots and darker patches after baking.
- Frosting warm cupcakes. Frosting melts on warm cake and the ribbons run together. Wait until they are cool.
- Over-stirring the frosting. Stop when you can still see distinct streaks.
Can you make them ahead?
Bake the cupcakes a day ahead and keep them in a covered container at room temperature. Frost them on the day of the party so the colors stay sharp and the sprinkles stay bright. If you frost them early, keep them covered and away from heat.
Use a fresh toothpick when you change colors, or wipe it clean, so the colors stay separate from one cupcake to the next.
How can you dress them up for a party?
Arrange the cupcakes on a platter in a rainbow order, or alternate swirl colors in rows. White liners make the colors stand out, while bright liners add more fun. For a summer party, add a plain white tablecloth and a paper banner in matching colors, and let the cupcakes be the centerpiece.
