St Paddy’s Day: Somewhere Over the Rainbow Cupcakes
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style with our ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow' cupcakes! Perfect for family festivities, class parties, or a delightful after-school treat, these colorful and fun cupcakes are sure to captivate any crowd.
Whether you're embracing a gluten-free lifestyle or just looking for a delicious homemade dessert, this simple vanilla cupcake recipe is wonderfully easy to prepare. Plus, decorating these with your kids adds an extra layer of joy to the holiday!
Not following a gluten-free diet? No worries—feel free to use your go-to cupcake and frosting recipes and simply follow our enchanting decoration guide. Looking for another creative option? Try whipping up these Cute Carrot Patch Cupcakes instead. Whatever your choice, these treats are bound to be a hit!
Notes
The decorations shown in the photo are not gluten-free. When transitioning to a gluten-free diet, it's surprising to discover how many products contain hidden gluten. To ensure these cupcakes are completely gluten-free, you'll need to seek out alternative decorations.
We've found suitable rainbow candy options available internationally, but finding these specific items in the US requires some extra searching. Consider looking for certified gluten-free decorating products online or at specialty stores to keep your treats safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Storage
To keep your “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” cupcakes fresh and delicious, proper storage is key. Here are some simple guidelines to ensure your cupcakes maintain their quality:
- Cool Completely: Before storing, allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack. Storing cupcakes while they are still warm can lead to condensation within the storage container, which can make the cupcakes soggy.
- Room Temperature Storage: If you plan to serve the cupcakes within a day or two, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Place a sheet of parchment paper between layers if you need to stack them to prevent the frosting from sticking.
- Refrigerating Cupcakes: For longer storage, place the cupcakes in an airtight container and refrigerate them. This is especially recommended if your frosting contains cream cheese, as in this recipe, to keep it fresh and safe to eat.
- Bringing to Room Temperature: When you're ready to serve the cupcakes, take them out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes prior to serving. This allows the cupcakes to come to room temperature, enhancing their flavor and texture.
- Freezing for Longevity: If you need to store the cupcakes for an extended period, you can freeze them. Freeze the cupcakes without the frosting if possible, as some frostings may not hold up well in the freezer. Wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw the cupcakes in the refrigerator overnight before frosting and serving.
By following these storage tips, your cupcakes will stay as fresh and delightful as the day they were baked!
Pro Tips
- Mixing the Batter: For the smoothest batter, ensure all ingredients like milk and applesauce are at room temperature before starting. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined to avoid over-mixing, which can make the cupcakes dense.
- Frosting Technique: For the frosting, adjust consistency by adding more cream or cream cheese as needed. Use a piping bag with a multi-opening tip to create a grass-like texture. Add food coloring one drop at a time to achieve the perfect shade of green.
- Decoration Timing: Apply your decorations such as rainbow candies and marshmallows while the frosting is still soft. This ensures they adhere well and stay in place.
Variation Ideas
These cupcakes are as versatile as they are delightful. Here are some fun variations to try out:
- Colorful Batter: Instead of just using vanilla batter, divide your batter into several bowls and tint each with a different food coloring for a rainbow effect within the cupcakes themselves.
- Different Flavors: Who says you have to stick with vanilla? Feel free to experiment with different flavors of cake batter like lemon for a zesty twist, or red velvet for a touch of luxury.
- Frosting Varieties: Swap out the green icing for other colors, or use a variety of colors for a multi-colored effect. Buttercream frosting also makes a great alternative, offering a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweet cake.
- Alternative Toppings: Instead of traditional candies and marshmallows, try using fresh fruit, like berries or kiwi slices, to create a rainbow. Not only does it look beautiful, but it also adds a fresh, natural taste.
- Themed Toppings: For an extra touch of the Irish, you might sprinkle shamrock-shaped sprinkles or use green and gold beads to enhance the festive theme.
- Gluten-Free Adjustments: If you need to keep things gluten-free, ensure all your added decorations and alternative ingredients meet gluten-free standards. This might require some label-reading but will ensure everyone can enjoy your delicious creations safely.
With these variations, your cupcakes will not only be a hit at any St. Patrick's Day gathering but can also be adapted for other occasions, ensuring you have a versatile recipe that’s both fun to make and eat. Enjoy experimenting and happy baking!
Ingredients
- 3 cups Gluten-Free Flour
- 3 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 cup Milk
- 2/3 cup Safflower Oil
- 1 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1/3 cup Applesauce
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Stir flour & baking powder together
- Mix milk, oil, sugar, applesauce, vanilla, and salt
- Add wet ingredients to dry and mix about 2 minutes (until smooth)
- Fill each cup with about 1/4 cup of batter
- Bake for 17 minutes (toothpick should come out clean)
- Let cool a few minutes and move to cooling rack
- Now for the fun part!
- Once your cupcakes are completely cool, you can decorate them! For the Somewhere over the Rainbow cupcakes icing, please see the recipe below!
Notes
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/3 cup agave nectar
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- green food coloring I prefer the gels
Instructions
- Combine cream cheese & agave until well blended.
- Whip in cream (a little at a time) until the frosting thickens to the consistency you would like.
- Add food coloring, 1 drop at a time, until it reaches the color you would like
- To create the grass-like texture, place frosting into a piping bag and use a multi-opening tip – 223
Notes
Don't forget to check out these other great St. Patrick's Day recipes we found & let us know which one is your favorite!
How do you make the rain bows and how do you make them stand up?
The rainbows are a candy, Rainbow Airheads. They are pretty flexible and stand up in the frosting well.
love, love these creative cupcakes! Checking them out from full plate Thurday 🙂
Cathy
I love these so cute. I will have to make these with the kids. Thanks for linking up at Tell Me About It Tuesday. We hope you hop over and share with us again nest week.
Love this! I have to bake for the school bake sale next week, I’m going to be trying this! 🙂
Hi Savanah! I found you on the Thrifty Thursday link party & wanted to invite you to another blog party – just for MOMS with blogs. No need to stick to thrifty articles – we showcase all awesome content from online moms. Hope to see you at the Mom Blog Party!
By the way, what behavioral changes have you noticed in your boys without the gluten in their diet..??
It’s a little different for each one. My oldest can be VERY hyperactive and unfocused, but when we cut gluten out completely for at least two weeks (we slip up sometimes), he is a lot calmer & able to focus on his schoolwork better.
My 2nd is on the spectrum & has SPD. He seems to be less overwhelmed and more balanced when gluten-free.
These are so adorable. I am so glad to have stumbled up on these cupcakes on the Mom Resource Link up, just in time for St. Patty’s Day.