Rainbow Cupcakes

By Tammy Quinn, Taste of Home

I’ve been making these colorful cupcakes with my mom since I was in high school. The cheery sweets are as fun to make as they are to eat.

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

1 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 package white cake mix (regular size)
• Purple, blue, green, yellow, orange and red paste food coloring
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• Preheat oven to 325°. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Prepare cake mix according to package directions.
• Divide batter into six separate bowls, tinting each with food coloring to make purple, blue, green, yellow, orange and red batter. Fill prepared cups two-thirds full, alternating tablespoonfuls of colored batter.
• Bake 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
• In a bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. If desired, using a new small paintbrush, paint five stripes with food coloring inside a pastry bag fitted with a round tip. Fill bag with whipped cream. Pipe over cupcakes.