Mardi Gras Cupcakes

These festive Mardi Gras Cupcakes have a scrumptious cinnamon flavor and are topped with all the vibrant colors of New Orleans and its well-known celebration.

Traveling is something I love to do and yes, I have a bucket list of places I would like to go and experience. The Mardi Gras celebration is one of those places on my list.

I love the music, food, traditions, and colors associated with this iconic celebration.

So let me give you a little history about the vibrant colors and King Cake that are a part of Mardi Gras history.

King Cake is a popular tradition of Mardi Gras. It is a pastry-type cake that is baked with a small plastic baby inside. The person that is served the slice of cake with the baby in it has to host the next party.

Back in 1872, the parade king chose the colors purple, gold, and green to represent the colors of Mardi Gras. In 1982, the Mardi Gras king gave meaning to each of the colors: purple represents justice, green means faith and gold represents power.

So if you are not able to travel and experience the real Mardi Gras and it is your turn to host the next party, enjoy all the fun of Mardi Gras with our adorable cupcake version of a King Cake right in your own home.

If you want more adorable, themed cupcake recipes, try my Patriotic Red, White and Blue Cupcakes, Rainbow Unicorn Cupcakes, or Easy DIY Speckled Mermaid Cupcakes.

Ingredients Needed For Mardi Gras Cupcakes Recipe

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these festive cupcakes.

• Vanilla Cake Mix – plus additional ingredients per instructions on the box + 2 tablespoons cinnamon OR your favorite recipe
• Vanilla Frosting – store-bought or homemade
• Small Green, Yellow and Purple Candies – I used M&M’s and skittles
• Candy Coins – green & yellow
• Green, Yellow and Purple Edible Glitter
• Themed Party Edible Glitter – I used one with stars and complimentary colors
• Craft Feathers – non-edible in green, yellow, and purple colors

How To Make Mardi Gras Cupcakes

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to make and decorate these Mardi Gras King Cupcakes!

Step 1

Prepare the cake mix as per the directions on the box.

Step 2

Prepare the muffin tin by adding the liners into each cavity. Pour batter into the liners and bake. Allow them to cool completely.

Step 3

Use a spoon to scoop out the center of the cupcakes about halfway through and fill with candy.

Step 4

If you are making coin cupcakes, simply press one or two coins in the center of the cupcake.

Step 5

Next, pipe the frosting onto each cupcake. A tall swirl works best but you can pipe it on in any pattern you like.

Step 6

Now you are going to decorate the cupcakes with edible glitter. A true mardi gras cupcake will have to include the colors green, purple and yellow.

Sprinkle the glitter on in different patterns.

Step 7

Finish decorating by embellishing the cupcakes the small candies, coins, or feathers.

Mardi Gras Cupcakes Recipe Notes And Tips

• In order get fluffy and moist cupcakes, do not over-mix the batter. With your mixer, use a low speed and stop as soon as all the ingredients are blended.

• If someone in your household has gluten free needs, simply use a gluten free cake mix or use gluten free flour in your homemade mix.

Variations Of Mardi Gras Cupcakes To Try

• Instead of using colored sprinkles, use food coloring to make the frosting, purple, yellow and green. Place all 3 colors frosting in a piping bag so when you are frosting the cupcakes you will achieve a fun swirl effect with the frosting.

• Since you added some cinnamon to the cupcake batter, why not add some to your frosting for an extra yummy, cinnamon-y flavor.

• Add purple, green and yellow food coloring to the cake batter to make the cupcake the same fun colors as the decorations. 🙂

Mardi Gras King Cupcakes FAQs

If you have questions about making these cupcakes, check to see if your question is answered below. If you don’t see the answer, please leave it in the comments so I can answer it for you!

Why are my cupcakes flat?

The most likely probability is that you have overmixed the batter which has added air into the batter.

The heat from the oven will make it seem that your cupcakes are rising but as the air escapes the cupcakes will deflate, leaving you with flat cupcakes.

Are cupcakes better made with butter or oil?

Cupcakes made with oil will bake up fluffier and will also stay moist and tender longer. However, cupcakes made with butter will taste better.

Therefore, I would say the preference is completely up to you.

Can I freeze these Mardi Gras Cupcakes?

I would recommend not freezing these cupcakes once they have been completely decorated. You will find that the texture of the icing and decorations will be affected after they thaw.

You can, however, freeze the plain cupcakes before they’re decorated. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Then, when you are ready to decorate, remove them from the freezer and allow thaw completely on the counter before decorating.

How long will these Mardi Gras Cupcakes stay fresh?

Once frosted and decorated, they will stay fresh for up to 2 – 3 days in the refrigerator. Be sure to store them in an air-tight container or resealable plastic bag.

More Sweet, Party Themed Desserts To Try

If you love this Mardi Gras Cupcakes recipe, check out these fun and delicious recipes too!

• Fruity Cocomelon Rainbow Popsicles
• Festive Red, White and Blue Cake Balls
• Ice Cream Cakesicles: Perfect Party Treat
• Easy Leprechaun St. Patrick’s Day Gnome Treats