Taste the rainbow

My mom sent me an email a couple weeks back of a rainbow cake. I thought it was pretty neat. So I decided to go out and make mini versions of it. This is the end product: pretty cute, huh? Check out the recipes below... even if you don't decide to do colored cupcakes, they're definitely worth trying!!!

Colorwheel Cupcakes

1 Betty Crocker french vanilla cake mix

2  large eggs

1 c. Daisy light sour cream

1/2 c. milk (I used 1% because it's what I had on hand)

1/2 c. vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS:

First: Combine all ingredients until incorporated (beat for about 30 seconds). Scrape sides of bowl and then beat on medium high speed for about 2 minutes. Divide batter accordingly to how many colors you are using. Use food coloring to color batter to desired intensity (Wilton gel colors work best). To get a layered stripe, put a spoonful of each color in the cupcake one at a time. The batter is thick, so it won't spread on its own. You can set aside a bowl of water & dip your finger in. It will help you to spread the batter out without it sticking to you.

 Second: Use package/box directions to bake. Check with toothpick, when it comes out clean they're ready! Cool on a rack for 20-30 minutes before frosting.

Melt in Your Mouth Cinnamon Frosting

1 c. butter

3 tsp. whole milk (I used 1% and it turned out just as tasty

4 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract 

1 tsp. cinnamon (King Arthur Flour's Vietnamese cinnamon is perfect for this!)

DIRECTIONS:

First: make sure butter is at room temperature. Then beat on a high speed for 3 minutes until creamy. Next add sugar one cup at a time. Add milk one teaspoon at a time. Once incorporated, add vanilla and cinnamon. Beat on high for 5 minutes.

 Second: Use a rubber scraper (spatula) to scoop into a piping bag (if you don't have one, a Ziplock bag works great). Once in the bag, cut the tip (or corner) to create an opening. Then pipe onto cupcakes in a circular motion starting at the outside working in. Decorate with sprinkles, marshmallows or whatever candies you prefer!

{One batch makes enough to frost 24 cupcakes}