As a kid, colorful desserts made my mouth water! It seemed that anything colorful and unique just made me go crazy as a kid, and this recipe is satisfying my childhood dream of rainbow cupcakes. In this recipe, I will be sharing a simple vanilla cupcake recipe but this time with a twist – A delicious rainbow swirls are inside of the cupcake!! Each bite melts in your mouth with a moist, fluffy crumb and a perfect balance of sweetness. The inside reveals vibrant rainbow layers, each one as soft and dreamy as the last, while the smooth swirl of white frosting on top brings a creamy, cloud-like finish. No gimmicks—just pure, feel-good flavor wrapped in a little paper cup of joy.
Let’s talk flavor—because every ingredient in these cupcakes is doing something special. All-purpose flour keeps the texture soft but sturdy enough to hold those gorgeous rainbow swirls, while a bit of baking powder gives them that perfect, pillowy rise. A pinch of salt sharpens the sweetness, letting the vanilla shine through. Butter and eggs team up to create a rich, tender crumb, and almond milk adds a subtle nutty note that pairs beautifully with the homemade cream cheese frosting. Oh—and the gel food coloring? That’s where the magic happens, transforming each cupcake into a colorful celebration inside and out.
Main Ingredient Alternatives
- Milk: Almond milk (original), or swap with cow’s milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk for a tropical twist.
- Butter: Regular butter, vegan butter, or coconut oil—all great for different dietary needs and flavor profiles.
- Eggs: Use regular eggs or try flax or chia eggs for a vegan-friendly option (1 tbsp ground flax or chia + 3 tbsp water, let it gel).
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Classic cream cheese, dairy-free cream cheese, whipped coconut cream, or a simple powdered sugar glaze.
- Food Coloring: Gel food coloring for bright, vivid rainbows; natural options include beet juice (pink/red), turmeric (yellow), and spirulina powder (green).
Tips from Me to You
🧁 Don’t overbake, bestie! Start checking at the 15-minute mark. As soon as a toothpick comes out just clean, they’re done. Overbaking = dry drama.
🧊 Keep it sealed & soft. Store cooled cupcakes in an airtight container at room temp for 1–2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4. Just let them warm up a bit before digging in!
🍶 Moisture boost hack: Add 1 tablespoon of sour cream or plain yogurt to the batter for extra softness and richness. It’s the secret weapon.
🧈 Frosting fluff level: expert. Use room-temp butter & cream cheese, and beat them together until super smooth before adding powdered sugar.
🥄 Want dreamy, cloud-like icing? Add a splash of heavy cream and whip it for 1–2 more minutes. Boom—fluff factor: unlocked.
Moist Vanilla Rainbow Cupcakes
Equipment
- Piping Bags
- 6 Mixing Bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Cupcake Pan
Ingredients
Vanilla Cupcakes
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- Gel food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 –2 tbsp heavy cream or milk (optional for consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Alternately mix in the flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with flour.
- Divide batter into 6 bowls and tint each with a different food color.
- Layer batter colors in each cupcake liner (start with purple, end with red).
- Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.
Frosting:
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Mix in vanilla, then gradually add powdered sugar.
- Add cream/milk if needed for a fluffier texture.
- Frost cooled cupcakes and decorate if desired!
—Ms. Apronista 💕
