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These octopus cupcakes are perfect to celebrate an “under the sea” birthday party or celebration, or even just a sweet, summer treat.
Under the sea, under the sea, darling it’s better, down where it’s wetter…with these adorable Octopus Cupcakes! Kids will love making and decorating these under the sea cupcakes for a fun summer treat!
My 4 year old son @DashBakesTheGreats is back with another super kid-friendly cupcake recipe!
What inspired these Octopus Cupcakes?
After stumbling upon an online image of a similarly made cupcake (source not listed or we would credit), we decided to make them even easier by using this one-bowl chocolate cupcake recipe.
We made a simple buttercream vanilla frosting we colored blue or you could easily use store-bought icing.
How can you make the Octopus Cupcakes even tastier?
Although we love the one-bowl chocolate cupcake recipe, you could absolutely use your own favorite chocolate cupcake box mix or recipe. If chocolate cupcakes aren’t your thing, making white cupcakes or even marble, a mix of chocolate and white would be delicious.
The color of sprinkle possibilities are endless, whatever you may have on hand or just one color, blue sprinkles on blue frosting would be cute. Instead of sour gummies, just the regular gummy worms would be an easy substitute.
Octopus Cupcakes – Ingredients:
Chocolate Cupcakes
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Butter
Powdered sugar
Milk
Vanilla extract
Dash salt
Blue food coloring
Octopus Decoration:
Sprinkles
Sour Brite Gummy Crawlers
Orange Sour Candy Balls (for the nose)
Candy Eyeballs
Cupcake Liners
How do you make Octopus Cupcakes?
Preheat your oven and prepare the cupcakes based on the recipe you’re using (we used this one) or the cake mix instructions. Separate the batter into 12 cupcake liners in a muffin tin. Bake until the tops spring bag (check the instruction baking times).
When the cupcakes are cooling prepare your vanilla buttercream by combining the butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract and salt into a bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer and mix on medium to high speed for 5-8 minutes until the frosting is soft and homogenous.
Add blue food coloring drops to the frosting to reach the desired color and blend well. Spread onto cooled cupcakes and top with sprinkles.
Using a toothpick and frosting, add a tiny amount to the back of the candy eyeballs to stick to the candy nose. Place on top of cupcake. Add 8 gummy crawlers to top of the cupcake, 4 on each half side. Gently press into cupcake frosting so they stay in place.
Eat however your heart desires, one gummy at a time or a big bite right into the whole octopus cupcake!
Be sure to check out Dash’s baking Instagram @DashBakesTheGreats for more kids baking ideas and inspiration or here for the full recipes!
Octopus Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients
- Chocolate Cupcakes
Vanilla Buttercream
- 1 Cup Unsalted butter, softened
- 4 Cups Powdered sugar
- 3-4 TBSP Milk
- 1 TBSP Vanilla extract
- Dash of salt
- Blue food coloring
Octopus Decoration
- Sprinkles
- Sour Brite Gummy Crawlers
- Orange Sour Candy Balls (for the nose)
- Candy Eyeballs
Cupcake Liners
Instructions
- Preheat your oven and prepare the cupcakes based on the recipe you're using (we used this one) or the cake mix instructions. Separate the batter into 12 cupcake liners in a muffin tin. Bake until the tops spring bag (check the instruction baking times). When the cupcakes are cooling prepare your vanilla buttercream by combining the butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract and salt into a bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer and mix on medium to high speed for 5-8 minutes until the frosting is soft and homogenous. Add blue food coloring drops to the frosting to reach the desired color and blend well. Spread onto cooled cupcakes and top with sprinkles. Using a toothpick and frosting, add a tiny amount to the back of the candy eyeballs to stick to the candy nose. Place on top of cupcake. Add 8 gummy crawlers to top of the cupcake, 4 on each half side. Gently press into cupcake frosting so they stay in place.
Video
Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.