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    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    By Chula King · February 20, 2020 · Updated July 21, 2020 12 Comments

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    Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    Laissez les bon temps rouler with these easy to make Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting. Inside is a surprise that will delight even your most picky critic!

    Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    Ingredients

    It’s been some time since I’ve made these show-stopper cupcakes. I used the following simple ingredients for the cupcakes: Boxed cake mix, unsalted butter, half and half, eggs, gel food coloring (Photo 1). For the frosting, I used unsalted butter, cinnamon, confectioners sugar’, vanilla extract, and milk (Photo 2).

    Ingredients for Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    Making the Mardi Gras Cupcakes

    I prepared the cake mix according to the package directions, except for using half and half in place of the water.

    Since this was for Mardi Gras, I wanted the cupcakes to have the traditional colors. Therefore, I divided the batter into thirds. I colored one-third purple, one-third green and the last one yellow. I used 5 drops of gel food coloring for each color.

    Coloring the Batter for the Cupcakes

    Next, I transferred each of the colored batters to a disposable pastry bag. Then, I snipped off about ¼-inch from the bottom of each one. I started filling the cupcake papers with the yellow, then the green, and finally the purple in the middle.

    I knew from experience that each cupcake would be a bit different on the inside, which adds to the fun!

    Filling the Cupcake Liners for with the colored batter

    I baked the Mardi Gras cupcakes in a preheated 350° F oven for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, I removed the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

    Making the Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    I beat the room temperature butter with my electric mixer until it was creamy. This took about a minute. Then, I added the cinnamon, and continued beating until the cinnamon was well combined.

    Adding the Cinnamon to the Frosting for the Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    Next, I added half of the sugar, and beat the mixture on high for several minutes. Then, I added a tablespoon of the milk and the vanilla, followed by another cup of sugar. I continued beating the frosting on high until it was light and fluffy.

    Adding Milk to the Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    Finally, I added another 2 tablespoons of milk and the remaining amount of sugar. I continued beating the frosting on high until it was light and fluffy, and of the proper piping consistency.

    Adding the Sugar for the Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    Decorating the Mardi Gras Cupcakes

    I transferred the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (1M), and piped the frosting on each cupcake.

    Piping the Frosting for Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    Finally, I finished each cupcake off with some purple, green, and yellow sprinkles.

    Adding Sprinkles to Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    I ended up with 18 delicious and adorable Mardi Gras cupcakes with cinnamon buttercream frosting. Each one had a different combination of colors inside. What fun. Yum!

    Cut cupcake showing the colorful interior

    Cut Mardi Gras Cupcake showing the different colors on the inside.

    Chula’s Expert Tips

    • I purchased the gel food coloring at Hobby Lobby. If you can’t find gel food coloring, use paste food coloring that is more readily available. I would avoid using the liquid food coloring. Because of the quantity needed to achieve the desired color, it could impact the consistency of the batter.
    • Use the amount of milk necessary to achieve the desired consistency of the frosting.
    • Use more or less of the food coloring necessary to achieve the desired colors. 
    • If you don’t have piping bags, you can use ziploc bags. With the ziploc bags, cut off about ¼-inch from one of the corners.
    • If you don’t have the equipment to pipe the frosting, you can just frost the cupcakes as you normally would.

    Other Mardi Gras Themed Sweets

    Mardi Gras is a wonderful time to showcase some incredible sweets. Take a look at these – all are sure to produce a WOW factor!

    • Mardi Gras Macarons – Laizzez les bons temps rouler with these melt in your mouth macarons filled with a light and airy lemon buttercream.
    • Mardi Gras Praline Crunch – Praline Crunch is just in time for all of your Mardi Gras celebrations. If you like caramel corn, you’ll absolutely love Mardi Gras Praline Crunch.
    • Mardi Gras Cinnamon Roll King Cake  – Did you know that you could produce an impressive king cake using cinnamon rolls? Well you can. I’ll show you how!
    • Mardi Gras Swirled Lemon Bark – This is fun to make and delicious to munch on.
    • Mardi Gras Lemon Bliss Bundt Cake – Brighten your Mardi Gras season with this rich and moist Lemon Bliss Bundt Cake. It feels like springtime, and tastes amazing under a layer of lemon glaze. Every piece is a surprise.
    • Mardi Gras King Cake – The King Cake is a quintessential confection that is decorated in Mardi Gras colors. Purple signifies justice; green denotes faith; and gold or yellow signifies power.
    • New Orleans Style Pain Perdu: Pain Perdu is French for “lost bread”, referring stale bread that would otherwise be disposed of. Pain Perdu, the New Orleans version of French toast, is generally made with stale French bread. The French bread is sliced thick, dipped in an egg custard, and fried in butter. It’s perfect for a Mardi Gras breakfast or brunch!
    • Pancake Day Pancakes: In the United Kingdom (UK), Pancake Day is synonymous with Shrove Tuesday, a.k.a. Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. It is viewed as the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before the upcoming Lent season. What better way to use up these ingredients than with Pancakes?

    I hope you liked the recipe for the Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting as much as I do. If so, please consider rating it and leaving a comment. Also, if you’d like to receive notifications of new posts by email, ever your email address in the Subscribe box.

    Thank you so much for visiting Pudge Factor. I hope you’ll come back!

    Laissez les bon temps rouler with these easy to make Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting. Inside is a surprise sure to delight!

    Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    Laissez les bon temps rouler with these easy to make Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting. Inside is a surprise that will delight even your most picky critic!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 18
    Calories: 281kcal
    Author: Chula King

    Ingredients

    Mardi Gras Cupcakes

    • 1 (15.5 ounce) package yellow cake mix
    • 7 Tablespoons unsalted butter
    • ¾ cup half and half
    • 3 large eggs
    • Purple, green, and yellow gel food coloring (See Tip 1)

    Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    • ½ cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 4 cups (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 3 to 4 Tablespoons milk (See Tip 2)

    Instructions

    Mardi Gras Cupcakes

    • Preheat oven to 350° F. Line muffin pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
    • Add all cupcake ingredients to large bowl. Beat on low for 30 seconds to combine. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 4 additional minutes.
    • Divide batter into thirds. Color each with 5 drops gel food coloring, ending up with purple batter, green batter, and yellow batter. (See Tip 3)
    • Add individual colored batter to piping bag. Snip off ¼-inch from tip. Pipe, yellow batter on one side; green batter on the other side, and purple batter in middle. (See Tip 4)
    • Bake at 350° F for 18 to 20 minutes, or until center spri)ngs back when pressed.
    • Cool completely on wire rack.

    Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    • Beat butter in large bowl on high until light and fluffy. Add cinnamon, beat to combine. Add 2 cups confectioners' sugar; beat until mixture comes together.
    • Add vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon milk. Beat to combine. Add another cup of confectioners' sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.
    • Add 2 tablespoons milk and remaining sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add more sugar or milk to achieve proper piping consistency.
    • Pipe on cupcakes with 1M star tip. Decorate with purple, green, and yellow sprinkles. (See Tip 5)
    • Yield: 18 Mardi Gras Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

    Chula's Expert Tips

    1. I purchased the gel food coloring at Hobby Lobby. If you can't find gel food coloring, use paste food coloring that is more readily available. I would avoid using the liquid food coloring. Because of the quantity needed to achieve the desired color, it could impact the consistency of the batter.
    2. Use the amount of milk necessary to achieve the desired consistency of the frosting.
    3. Use more or less of the food coloring necessary to achieve the desired colors. 
    4. If you don't have piping bags, you can use ziploc bags. With the ziploc bags, cut off about ¼-inch from one of the corners.
    5. If you don't have the equipment to pipe the frosting, you can just frost the cupcakes as you normally would.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 36mg | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 245IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment below and/or give this recipe a rating. On Instagram? Take a picture and tag @pudgefactor or #pudgefactor.

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    Filed Under: Cakes, Desserts, Mardi Gras, Muffins

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elaine @ Dishes Delish says

      February 08, 2017 at 1:51 pm

      These cupcakes are so fun! i love the colors and the frosting!!

    2. c2king says

      February 08, 2017 at 2:19 pm

      Thanks! They’re easy to make, and the frosting is yummy.

    3. Jenna says

      February 10, 2017 at 9:46 am

      I love colorful cupcakes like this!

    4. Amanda | My Gluten-Free Miami says

      February 12, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      So cool! Perfect for Mardi Gras parties. I love the tri-tone cupcakes.

    5. blofmitt says

      February 12, 2017 at 7:27 pm

      How fun! Might have to make these with my boys to celebrate.

    6. The Simple, Sweet Life says

      February 12, 2017 at 9:43 pm

      What a fun idea!

    7. Sasha @ Eat Love Eat says

      February 14, 2017 at 2:46 pm

      What colourful and delicious cupcakes!

    8. c2king says

      February 14, 2017 at 3:00 pm

      Thank you!

    9. Shannon Duncan says

      February 04, 2019 at 8:44 am

      Absolutely delicious! These were a huge hit at our friend’s super bowl/mardi gras party! Thank you for sharing this recipe! I’ll definitely be making these again!

    10. PudgeFactor says

      February 04, 2019 at 4:04 pm

      I’m so pleased that the Mardi Gras cupcakes turned out well for you!

    11. Tara Roz says

      January 22, 2021 at 2:25 am

      5 stars
      After reading this I can’t wait to make these colorful cupcakes!♡

    12. Chula King says

      January 22, 2021 at 9:47 am

      They’re not only colorful, but also delicious! Hope you enjoy them.

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