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Easy Mermaid Cupcakes Recipe

These Easy Mermaid Cupcakes combine moist vanilla cake with colorful buttercream swirls and dazzling decorations. Great for birthdays or celebrations, they’re simple to make and sure to impress. Whip up a batch and bring a bit of ocean-inspired magic to your day.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Frosting & Decorating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 13 minutes
Servings 12 cupcakes

Ingredients
  

For the Vanilla Cupcakes:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup whole milk

For the Buttercream Frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 –3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring teal, purple, pink
  • Edible glitter and sprinkles
  • Candy pearls and edible decorations
  • Chocolate mermaid tails molded with candy melts and shimmer dust

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
  • Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
  • Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
  • For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then add vanilla and cream until desired consistency.
  • Divide the frosting into separate bowls and tint each with a different gel food color.
  • Spoon colored frosting side-by-side into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
  • Pipe swirls onto cooled cupcakes and decorate with glitter, sprinkles, pearls, and mermaid tails.

Notes

  • Use gel food coloring for more vibrant pastel shades without thinning the frosting.
  • Make mermaid tails in advance using silicone molds and chill until set.
  • Chill cupcakes for 15 minutes before serving to set the decorations.
  • Store cupcakes in a cool place or refrigerate if not serving the same day.