BEACH-THEMED CUPCAKES RECIPE

Hi friends! Lovers of all things sweet, behold the beach hangout. So get set to get blown with awesomeness—these beachy cupcakes will just wrap you up. Imagine soft vanilla goodness swirled ocean blue and sandy beige frosting. Finish it all off with the cutest little fondant sea shells and starfish you have ever laid eyes on. These sweet bites are just as good for your taste buds as they are to behold! Great for summer parties, beachy weddings, or at any time when you need an escape right in your kitchen.

So, apron on and let’s get going!

My Personal Story

These cupcakes sprang to life one day; I was just taken aback. It was an ultra-scorching afternoon in summer, and I was drowned in plans for my bestie’s beach wedding. Desserts had really been accruing when—bam!—this idea hits me like an epiphany: Why not take this whole beach vibe and put it on the dessert table? So, the following couple of days really were us just messing around in the kitchen and creating one huge sandy disaster, as if my partner wasn’t pleased with that. But gosh, was it worth it. When I finally nailed the recipe and showcased it at the wedding, literally everyone went wild. The little kids were absolutely at each other’s throats for them, and even the bride was seen sneaking a second cupcake before she hit the dance floor. Since then, those little beach babes have become my absolute summer party favorite.

BEACH-THEMED CUPCAKES RECIPE

Recipe by EmmaCourse: Uncategorized

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

45

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

350

kcal

Decorating time

45mins

Total time

1

minute

Ingredients:

• For the Vanilla Cupcakes:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• 1/2 cup milk, room temperature

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• For the Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

• 2-3 tbsp milk or heavy cream

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Blue and beige food coloring

• A pinch of salt

• For the Edible Sand:

• 1/2 cup finely crushed graham crackers

• For the Fondant Decorations:

• 8 oz white fondant

• Gel food coloring (pastel shades of blue, coral, and
  beige)

• Cornstarch (for dusting)

• Small rolling pin

• Fondant tools (for shaping and detailing)

• Small star cutter, shell molds, and a ball tool

• Edible glitter (optional, for a shimmering effect)

• For the Marshmallow Decoration (Optional):

• Mini marshmallows in white and blue

Steps

• Preheat and Prepare the Cupcake Batter:
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin
  tin with cupcake liners.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder,
  and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and
  granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed
  until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  Stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture,
  alternating with the milk, mixing on low speed until just
  combined. The batter should be smooth and slightly thick.
• Bake the Cupcakes:
  • Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each
  about two-thirds full.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the
  center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  • Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer
  them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Prepare the Buttercream Frosting:
  • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing
  well after each addition.
  • Add the vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons of
  milk or cream. Beat on high speed until the frosting is smooth
  and fluffy.
  • Divide the frosting into two portions: color one portion with a
  few drops of blue food coloring and the other portion with afew drops of beige food coloring, mixing until the colors are
  evenly distributed.
  • Transfer the colored frostings into separate piping bags fitted
  with star tips.
• Create the Edible Sand:
  • Place the finely crushed graham crackers in a small bowl. This
  will be used as the “sand” to sprinkle on top of the frosted
  cupcakes.
• 5. Prepare the Fondant Decorations:
  a. Color the Fondant:
  • Divide the white fondant into smaller portions and color each
  with gel food coloring: blue for the starfish, coral for the coral
  branches, and beige for the seashells and scallop shells.
  Knead the fondant until the colors are fully incorporated. Use
  cornstarch to prevent sticking.
  b. Make the Starfish:
  • Roll out the blue fondant to about 1/8 inch thickness on a
  cornstarch-dusted surface.
  • Use a small star cutter to cut out star shapes.
  • Use a ball tool or toothpick to add texture to the surface of
  the starfish, creating tiny indents to mimic the rough texture of
  a real starfish.
  c. Make the Seashells:
  • Roll out the beige fondant to about 1/8 inch thickness.
  • Use shell molds or small cutters to create seashell shapes. If
  you don’t have molds, you can freehand the shapes with a
  small knife.
  • Gently press the fondant into the molds or shape it by hand,
  and use fondant tools or a toothpick to add details like ridges
  and lines to give the shells a realistic appearance.
  d. Make the Scallop Shells:
  • For scallop shells, roll out the fondant and cut small, half-moon
  shapes.• Use a fondant tool or toothpick to draw lines from the base to
  the top of the shell, creating the distinctive ridges of a scallop
  shell.
  e. Make the Coral Branches:
  • Roll out thin ropes of coral-colored fondant and shape them
  into small branches.
  • Twist and curve the ropes to create the organic look of coral.
  Use your fingers or a fondant tool to add texture and
  dimension to the branches.
  f. Add Shimmer:
  • Optionally, brush the fondant decorations lightly with edible
  glitter to give them a shimmering, realistic effect.
• Assemble the Cupcakes:
  • Once the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe swirls of
  buttercream frosting onto each cupcake, using both the blue
  and beige frostings to create a beachy, ocean-inspired look.
  • Sprinkle a small amount of the crushed graham crackers
  around the edges of the frosting to create the appearance of
  sand.
• Decorate the Cupcakes:
  • Place the fondant starfish, seashells, scallop shells, and coral
  branches on top of the frosted cupcakes. Arrange them
  artistically to create a natural beach scene.
  • Pipe a few waves using the blue frosting around the
  decorations, adding a dynamic, oceanic effect.
  • Add a few mini marshmallows in white and blue around the
  decorations or sprinkled on top of the frosting for a whimsical
  touch.
  • Finish by lightly dusting the cupcakes with edible glitter to give
  them a subtle, sparkling finish.

Emma’s Tips

Okay, now let’s really get down to the nitty-gritty (or should I say sand?). First of all, it’s going to be the vanilla in the cupcake batter; and don’t be shy, that is your secret in this burst of flavor into the awesome that just takes you right to the tropics. For the frosting, temperature is everything—too warm and you’ve just got a gooey mess; too cold and it just lumps up and is gross. You want to hit that Goldilocks zone: just nice and perfect. Another little trick: if your fondant decorations are being super stubborn, just brush them with a little water – this is basically like edible superglue. If you want to get all fancy, toss some edible glitter onto those fondant seashells, and they’ll look like you’ve taken them out of the ocean.

Serving Suggestions

These beach beauties are life themselves, but why would you want to leave it at that?

Serve them up on a tray with more “sand” sprinkled over them, or do one better and make your dessert “beach” out of blue jelly cups for the “ocean”. Add in a tangy lemon cocktail or a fruity sangria for the adults, and we’re really at kick-off-the-party time. And, finally, for really fancy feelings, maybe set up a “decorate your own cupcake” station with some extra fondant pieces and edible markers. Honest to goodness, this makes home runs with little ones and grown-ups alike. Hi there, beach babes! Super curious to hear from you! Did you try out those cupcakes? How did they come out? Put your pictures in the comments below; I can’t wait to see what amazing twists you’ve done! And if you have other thematic cupcakes that are just rad, throw them down below. Who knows, maybe your idea will be my next big baking project!

Nutritional Information: Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it (pun totally intended) – these cupcakes are a treat, not a health food. We’re looking at roughly 300-350 calories per cupcake, depending on how heavy-handed you are with the frosting. But hey, life’s all about balance, right? Just think of all the calories you’ll burn off building sandcastles after indulging in these beachy delights!

FAQ

Alright, beach babes, I want to hear from you! Did you give these cupcakes a whirl? How did they turn out? Share your pics in the comments – I’m dying to see your creative twists! And if you have any cool ideas for other themed cupcakes, drop them below. Who knows, your suggestion might be my next big baking adventure!

Final Bites

Well there you have it, guys: a summer bite that you can indulge in at your fancy. These beach-themed cupcakes are more than dessert; they are like a tiny holiday on a plate. They are fabulous with that sunshine feeling and are surely going to light up any event—be it your birthday party or a get-together at work. So what are you waiting for? Dive on in and whip out a batch. One bite and you will be surfing this wave of yumminess all the way to Flavortown! Did you make this recipe? Let me know in the comments below!