Theyre little bits of happy on a plate, and they can lift a boring afternoon into something a bit special. I made them for Ellie’s playdate once and the kids circled the table like it was a treasure hunt. And honestly, if you are wondering how to make butterfly cakes, this is the way to go because it skips complicated steps and jumps straight to the magic.
These fit into my week because they come together quickly and use things I usually have in the cupboard: flour, butter and eggs. The sprinkles do the heavy lifting, turning plain cake into proper party faces. They are forgiving too. If the batter is a bit lumpy, dont panic, they still bake up soft and springy. I say that from experience.
I love recipes that let kids help. Ellie decorates like she is a tiny interior designer and Muffin tries to steal anything that smells sweet. Baking becomes a bit of chaos and a lot of connection, probably the best bit. Actually, scratch that. It is the best bit.
Preheat your oven to 320 ºF. Line 1 standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or an electric mixer, beat together ¾ cup softened butter and ¾ cup granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add 3 eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix until combined.
Add in the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until just combined.
Add 5 tablespoons of sprinkles and stir until they are evenly mixed in.
Divide the batter evenly among the paper liners.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the batter has risen, is lightly golden, and feels springy to the touch.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes in the pans, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Using a small serrated knife, cut the tops off each cupcake, creating 12 round cake circles. Cut each top in half.
Spoon 1 teaspoon of vanilla buttercream frosting into the center of each cupcake. Top with two cake circle halves to create butterfly wings, leaving a small gap between them. Squeeze a line of strawberry jam from the bottle between the wings to create the butterfly's body, then dust a little powdered sugar on top if desired.
Serve and enjoy!
Start with a standard 12 cup muffin tin and paper liners. I always reach for my Kenwood for beating butter and sugar until they are pale and fluffy, but a stand mixer is optional and an electric hand mixer will do the job just fine if you do not have one. A small serrated knife makes cutting the tops neat, and a wire rack is worth its weight in gold for cooling.
You will also want a medium bowl for the dry stuff and a large one for the wet mix. A spatula or wooden spoon is best for folding in sprinkles without overworking the batter. Measuring cups, spoons and a kitchen timer are the usual suspects. If you are decorating with jam, a squeezy bottle makes life easier. Keep an apron handy because flour likes to travel.
OK so here is what actually makes these work. Beat the butter and sugar until they are pale and fluffy so the cupcakes rise and stay soft. Add the eggs one at a time so the batter comes together smoothly. If you throw them all in at once you can end up with a curdled mess and no one wants that.
Fold in the sprinkles gently at the end so the colours stay as bright little pops and do not bleed into the batter. I use about five tablespoons, but use more if you are feeling festive. Five tablespoons adds that playful bit that is perfect for kids birthday party cupcakes.
These tips come from making simple vanilla cupcakes from scratch with a toddler hanging off my leg and a dog trying to lap up spilled sugar. Dont skip the cooling step. Cool completely before you cut the tops off or you will get crumbly wings.
Fancy a chocolate twist? Swap a quarter cup of the flour for cocoa and use chocolate frosting for the wings. For a fruity take, fold in half a cup of chopped berries and match the jam to the fruit for extra brightness. For a gluten free version, swap the plain flour for a one to one gluten free blend and test the batter for texture.
If you want bite sized treats, you can scale them down to fairy cakes by using a mini muffin pan and halving the bake time to about ten minutes. They make great little tea time nibbles.
Plate them on a colorful tray and surround with extra sprinkles. They go brilliantly with a glass of cold milk and for grown ups a cup of tea or coffee brings out the vanilla notes. For a lighter approach, serve them with fresh fruit skewers, or make them part of a spring dessert spread with a scoop of lemon sorbet.
For parties, arrange them in a circle so they look like a butterfly garden. I have written names on liners for school bakesales and it makes handing them out feel special. Simple works too, so dont overthink it when time is tight.
How can I make simple vanilla cupcakes from scratch without a mixer?
No mixer, no panic. Use a wooden spoon and a bit of elbow grease to cream the butter and sugar. It takes longer but it works and gives you that homemade texture.
What are some cupcake decorating ideas for a themed party?
If you need cupcake decorating ideas, try tinting the frosting, adding edible glitter or piping tiny flowers. Kids love picking colours and sticking on sprinkles, so keep some extras for the mini designers.
Can I turn these into fairy cakes?
Yes, these shrink down beautifully. Use a mini tin and check them at ten minutes. They are perfect for small hands and tea parties.
Is this a good recipe for baking with kids?
Yes, this is brilliant for baking with kids, let them add sprinkles and assemble wings while you handle the knife and oven bits. It teaches measuring and patience and makes for proud little bakers.
How do I store them for a kids birthday party cupcakes event?
Keep frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate if you need them to last longer. Freeze unfrosted ones and decorate after thawing to save time on the day.
Whether it's a spring garden party or a special birthday celebration, these Butterfly Cupcakes are sure to add a sprinkle of magic to your dessert table! Give this recipe a go, and share your results with us! Tag us on social with @CookMeRecipes and #cookmerecipes.
So pretty cupcakes for my Easter dinner! Thanks!
