Easy Dinosaur Cupcakes

🍯 Why This Recipe Works

1. Not too much food coloring. As a parent, I know there are a lot of us out there who try to avoid unnecessary food coloring for one reason or another, and that's just one more reason to enjoy these simple dino cupcakes. You can add as much or as little food coloring as you want to the frosting, and they'll still look great.
2. They're easy. A box of cake mix turned into cupcakes and a simple buttercream frosting are all you'll have to make. After that, we get the fun of assembling it all together!
3. They're totally customizable. Use any color of Airheads desired to help fit in with the color scheme or theme of your next party. Add sprinkles or a cool cupcake liner too!

📖 Variations

Dairy Free. You can make this recipe dairy free by using nondairy plant based milk like Almond milk instead of whole milk or cows milk. Use shortening (like Crisco) in place of the butter. You will need 1.5 cups of shortening). Double check the box of cake mix as some may contain dairy in the ingredients. Airheads are dairy free.

🔪 Instructions

Step 1: Add your cake mix, oil, water, and eggs to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Whisk together until combined.

Step 3: Divide into a paper-lined muffin pan.

Step 4: Bake as directed on the cake mix package. About 18 minutes at 350F. Let cool completely before making the frosting.

Step 5: Add the butter and powdered sugar to a large mixing bowl. Mix together until blended.

Step 6: Add in the vanilla extract. Mix again until combined.

Step 7: Add in the milk, one tablespoon at a time, blending after each addition until the frosting is to your desired consistency.

Step 8: Once ready, you can divide and color or add to a piping bag with a fitted tip. I like to use a Wilton 1M tip for my frosted cupcakes.

Step 9: Unwrap the airheads and grab a clean pair of kitchen scissors.

Step 10: On the back of the airheads, you'll notice a line down the middle. You'll want to cut on that line to make two halves.

Step 11: Now turn each half into multiple triangles by cutting at W-shaped angles.

Step 12: Have your frosting, cooled cupcakes, and airhead pieces ready to go in front of you like a little workstation.

Step 13: Pipe frosting onto the cupcake.

Step 14: Stagger the airhead pieces down the center of the cupcake in a straight row with one tip pointed upwards and a base neatly tucked away in the frosting.

Step 15: You can use a solid color per cupcake or alternate colors for a variety.

Step 16: If desired, you can add a ring of sprinkles around the edge of the frosting base by spooning sprinkles over the frosting. I recommend using a bowl underneath to catch what drops.

Step 17: Continue and repeat until all cupcakes have been decorated.

Serve and enjoy!

🍴 Recipe Tips

You can use any boxed cake mix for your cupcakes, or you can make your cupcakes from scratch if desired.

⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions

You can prepare the cupcakes in advance and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Prepare the frosting separately and keep in an airtight container or covered bowl in the fridge for a day or two.

Let the frosting sit at room temperature for a few minutes before using it as it's much easier to pipe when it's had a chance to warm up slightly.

👩🏻‍🍳 Storage

You can keep your assembled cupcakes in a well covered container in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. The airheads may begin to weep or "sweat" when they come to room temperature quickly. This is normal and completely fine.