Rainbow Tie Dye Cupcakes

rainbow tie dye cupcakes

 

Today marks one full year of blogging. A first blogiversary, if you will. WordPress tells me I’ve written 396 posts, which lets me know that I have had well over a year’s time to rot your brain, teeth, and better judgment. You’re an enabler.

And since I’m plumb out of stationary, I figure e-thank you’s to be both trendy and fitting. So here goes:

 

rainbow tie dye cupcakes

 

To those who eat at my table, even if that table is imaginary, and even if that imaginary table is set with the letters on a keyboard and a clunky wireless mouse, thank you.

To those who peer into the computer screen window at my life and all I choose to share, thank you.

To those who read the pages of my blog as you might a journal or, dare I say, a book (albeit a 3rd grade novel), thank you.

To those who come here because you want to lose weight, you can. You will. Thank you.

To those who come here because you are losing weight, you can. You will. Thank you.

To those who come here because you have lost weight and are finding your own ‘normal,’ you can. You will. Thank you.

 

rainbow tie dye cupcakes

 

To those who have read the posts in which I’ve been as honest as I know honest to be- about loss, about sadness, about life- that sharing has been cathartic and somehow intimate. Thank you.

To those who think I write with any shred of confidence, know that I delete each and every post one full time before rewriting and publishing it. The process has never for one day gotten easier, never less overwhelming. Never. If it seems the slightest bit effortless, I’m a master manipulator, and thank you.

To those who find my writing on par with the intelligence level of a chimpanzee, that ain’t half bad. Thank you.

To those who notice that my hands are chronically dry in photographs where I fondle the food, that’s an excellent point. I will get lotion and thank you.

To those who recognize my eccentricities, know that I’m zany, accept unpredictability, embrace mild forms of psychosis, and love me nonetheless, thank you.

To the people in my real life who I’ve written stories about, semi-exposed, and/or tarnished the reputation of, please trust that I publicly embarrass myself more than you’ll ever know. And thank you.

To those who visit just for the recipes and skim the fluffy puff of a preface or even the thick sludge of a heartfelt beginning, I hope the ones you’ve tried have turned out well. I can’t always nourish the soul too, so thank you.

To those who tell me that I’ve inspired them, motivated them, made them feel that it’s all okay, that it’s all worthwhile, I am forever your fat or thin friend. I will always know. I am here, thanking you.

To those who comment, even when I don’t, even when I can’t comment in return, I’m in awe of you and your giving nature. Thank you.

To those who laugh with me (and at me), joke after lame joke, antic after ‘No, but really is this chick for real?’ antic, being me is the funniest of funny. And even when it’s not, it kinda is. Thank you.

To all of you, you’ve changed my life. Thank you.

Thank you.

Rainbow Tie Dye Cupcakes

Now, onto the celebration! I made rainbow tie dye cupcakes. It was only a matter of time before I discovered a way to let my inner kindergartner shine. Think of me as regressing further into childhood with each post. The blog will make much more sense, and you, well you won’t be so horrified when I tell you all the ways I’ve played with my food.

These cupcakes are cute as a button. Cute as a button, I tell you! I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

Even though each is just a sweet and simple yellow cupcake, tinting the batter all the hues of a rainbow makes them so fun and unique. I guarantee if you took a dozen to work or to a party, they’d be a hit. Even more popular with kids, I imagine.

Here’s how to make them yourself:

Start by whipping up the batter for your favorite vanilla cupcakes. Divide the batter into four separate small bowls.

Tint each bowl with a few drops of food coloring or gel: one red, one blue, one green, one yellow. Try not to overmix your batter here, because you’ll develop the gluten in the flour and be left with a very tough, bread-like cupcake. Incorporate the color in the fewest stirs possible.

Drop spoonfuls of each colored batter into the cupcake liners until they are 3/4 full.

When all the liners are filled, use a toothpick to swirl the batter a few times. Use a clean toothpick for each cupcake so that you keep the colors clean, and don’t swirl too much or you’ll mix the colors into a brown tone.

Bake them according to the instructions on your cupcake recipe.

Pile them with pure white frosting, because you want to let the rainbow colors in the cake be the stars of the show. I used my favorite whipped frosting recipe and then shook rainbow sprinkles over the tops for an extra-cute pop of color.

Final step: taste test for quality control.

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87 thoughts on “Rainbow Tie Dye Cupcakes

  1. Megan (Braise The Roof)

    Those are quite possibly the cutest 1st birthday cupcakes I’ve ever seen! Haha, dry hands are a problem…although this was not the first thing I thought about you. ;) You are a gem of a writer and a great entertainer- so glad I was able to meet you in the last year! Congrats on the successful year!

    Reply
    1. Judy

      Thank you so much for this recipe! And the frosting one. I cannot wait to make these for my Daughter’s birthday. She wanted tye dye cupcakes and you are a lifesaver!!

      Reply
  2. Cindy

    Andrea, my dearest, you are the one I want to thank!

    HAPPY ONE YEAR OF BLOGGING BTW.

    Every single post of yours I’ve caught has been stunning. The photos, the stories, the laughs and yes THE FREAKING RECIPES.

    (I’m a little behind as is stands, but always enjoying catching up)

    You’ve taught me new techniques, and introduced me to a few new ingredients I would have been too scared to try (fish sauce)…still trying to get my hands on that one…how about sweet chili sauce. THAT ONE IS GOOD and a staple now.

    I am still waiting for Udon Noodle Soup though!

    THANK YOU.
    Your posts are of the finest quality and always causes me to shudder at my own silly blog and it’s randomness and bad grammar!

    I can’t wait for another year cooking and “Staying for Dinner” with you.

    I have smiled so much at sharing a recipe or meal of yours with my family and thinking indeed “Yes, we CAN STAY FOR DINNER”

    and now I need to , HAVE TO make those ADORABLE cupcakes for JJ as his birthday is just around the corner!

    much love!

    Reply
  3. Curt Stimpson

    You should call them ‘Rockin Roland’ cupcakes…but that probably makes no sense to you. I’m dating myself. Hope all is well with you.
    Curt

    Reply
  4. Kelly

    You’re so creative! I love your cupcakes! Happy bloggiversary! Thank YOU for being so witty, so honest, and so lovable. :) I love your blog and I hope you continue to write and write and bake.

    Reply
  5. Andrea

    Happy Bloggiversary!!! I want to thank you for helping me see that you can be happy and funny and healthy, that it isn’t daily torutre to try become a better healthier me. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration!!!

    Reply
  6. Shellie

    Surely I am not alone when I say, “Thank you.”

    For your recipes, your jokes, your flat out honesty about things it isn’t easy to be honest about, your inspiration, and sharing your story and yourself.

    Forever, thank you.

    Reply
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  8. Kace

    Andrea we are the grateful ones! You are a beautiful a writer and human being, you are an inspiration to all of us who need to get healthy, and you are a GENIUS in the kitchen. I have tried many many many of your recipes and have NEVER been disappointed.

    I’m not sure if you read my blog (its cool if you don’t!) but on Sunday I made your buffalo chicken rolls…. I knew I had an intestinal blockage prior to gametime (not from your recipe!), but ate them anyway-couldn’t resist! And I so don’t regret it. And I can’t wait to make them again so I can eat them guilt free : ) So I risked my health to eat your food…that’s a compliment, believe me.

    Congrats on one year; I’m so glad I discovered your site and I always look forward to seeing your latest creations. To many more years!

    Reply
  9. KatieDStylist

    Ahhhhh these are sooo fun! I can’t wait to try these!!! Happy Blogiversary! I’m new to your posts, but was immediately touched by your story and your journey and will continue reading.

    Reply
  10. Tamar

    These have got to be the most creative and gorgeous cupcakes I’ve ever seen! Happy blogiversary, and thank YOU for all of your antics! You remind me that you can do amazing things without being too serious.

    Reply
  11. Anna

    First of all, Happy Blogiversary! What a great post. I truly enjoy reading your blog on a regular basis. Your witty blogging style has me hooked and keeps me rolling over in strong, belly laughs. Love the cupcakes. Love the blog. Love it all! Here’s to your first year and many to come :)

    Reply
  12. Rose Forever

    This is so cute. I miss being a kid and looking at those cupcakes makes me feel that those are only for kids. LOL. But I guess when I saw these I can’t resist myself on eating some.

    Reply
  13. Nicole

    I LOVE those!!! I’m going to make them for my husband, and I just know that he’s going to love them!! Ha, ha. Well, he’ll at least love the taste. I, on the other hand, will love the colors! What a great idea!

    Reply
  14. johnny

    Happy blogiversary!! I’m late but I never miss your blog. You are the most refreshing person I have ever read (and I’ve read a lot). If your wit and talent were calories we would all weigh a ton! I’m very old compared to the rest of your readership but there is a very good reason. Old people don’t write like you, they are resigned to their situation and I don’t like that. You stay the way you are and I will keep reading and trying your foods, laugh until I cry and thank God for you because you MAKE MY DAY!!!!! :)

    Reply
  15. Lu

    I’m so glad that you started this blog. I think you’re funny, talented, beautiful and downright awesome. My day isn’t complete until I’ve read your blog, drooled on my keyboard and planned my next foodie endeavor based on something I’ve seen here. These cupcakes might be the prettiest thing you’ve made so far. Happy anniversary!

    Reply
  16. overweighted

    I read your blog for all of the reasons you listed. Your writing reaches me on many different levels. The food porn is simply a bonus! I can’t wait to see what the 2nd year brings! Thanks for all you do.

    Reply
  17. Amanda

    I made 6 dozen of these bad boys, and took them to the NICU that took care of my son. They were a HUGE hit, so thanks for that inspiration. By proxy you made roughly 6 dozen people’s days better when they least expected it.

    Reply
  18. Ashley

    I read what others have written and want to say the same things! For starters, I love your blog, okay, you caught me, Im addicted. Im newer to it but have been hooked since day one. Your writing is amazing. You are truly an inspiration to me and so many others. Keep doing what you do! Oh and LOVE the rainbow cupcakes!! This may be my new thing…

    Reply
  19. sherrie

    i just found your blog today. i made cupcakes similar to these for my son’s bdday. we called them party in a cupcake. :)

    Reply
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  21. Sarah

    I made these over the weekend for my best friend’s 30th birthday and they were a HUGE hit! I used your vanilla white cake recipe and best white frosting recipe too. Thanks for the inspiration! I am not generally a baker, but had to try these out because they were so perfect for my friend!

    Reply
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  23. Whitney W

    I LOVE these! I must find a reason to make them…maybe in celebration of Father’s day? I think there are going to be rainbow cupcakes in my very near future!

    Reply
  24. Alexandria

    Adorable! Quick question: I baked these a few days ago. They were great in the middle, but the colors were mottled on the outside because they baked up golden. How did you keep your colors so bright on the cupcake top? Thanks, and congrats! Love your blog!

    Reply
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  26. Erin

    I will be making these as soon as I find a decent gluten free cupcake recipe. I LOVE the thought of letting my inner kindergartener shine in my cooking.

    I just stumbled across your blog but your friendly and informal writing and beautiful food will keep me around. Thank you for sharing your heart and your food with us, I’d love to stay for dinner!

    Reply
  27. Dana

    i just happened upon this while searching something else and they looked amazing! that’s so cool how you came up with the idea to that i would have never thought of that! great idea! :)

    Reply
  28. Delia Edwards

    I made these a few weeks ago for my boyfriend and his dentistry classmates and they got rave reviews! My bf told me that he didn’t think the rainbow effect would work, and though mine weren’t quite as bright and brilliant as yours (I didn’t have all the ingredients to use your suggested white cupcake recipe), they were still adorable and the effect was the same! Thanks so much, I will definitely be making these again!

    Reply
  29. jasmin

    Hi the cupcakes look amazing. i’m going to make some for my cross country team! I was wondering if you used food colouring or gel paste for the colourful batter.

    Thank you,
    “jasmin->

    Reply
  30. devaughn

    i just made these yesterday they turned out great fun to make my little sister helped lol they are so goodb :) ;)

    Reply
  31. devaughn

    i just made these yesterday they turned out great fun to make my little sister helped lol they are so good :) ;)

    Reply
  32. devaughn

    i made these for my little sisters class for her birthday they were so bright like her personality everyone loved them she printed all the ingredients and gave em all to her friends it was so funny (she had so much fun i love these cupcakes so good ;D :D

    Reply
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  34. audrey

    wow they look yummy. just wondering did you use gel or normal dye? and you said four colours (red, yellow, blue, green) but in the photos there’s also purple ?
    thanks :)

    Reply
    1. admin

      Hey Audrey,

      I used gels (the small tubes that you buy in the baking aisle at the grocery store). I mixed the purple myself by combining lots of red with a few drops of blue.
      Thanks!
      Andie

      Reply
  35. Emma

    These are super cute!! I made them today and my little brother had a cow over them! Thanks for the awesome idea! :)

    Reply
  36. Michelle

    Just came across your website on pinterest. I love it! I will be making these for St. Patty’s Day! I’m running a race in DC & will celebrate with everyone at the end with these! My first race in almost 2 years. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  37. Liz

    These cupcakes are so fun and turned out amazing! I can’t wait to try this at home! I just randomly came across your blog and this post and am super impressed, thanks so much for sharing your great ideas!!!

    Reply
  38. chanel

    Your writing is so inspiring, and even more importantly – so very entertaining. You are such an amazing person, I feel guilty that I get to peer into your life and shananigans and dont pay a cent for it. I’d rather hear about your daily doings, past events, and of course recipes!, more than anyone (and everyone!) I’ve ever seen on tv. Thank you so, so much. You come off as such a beautiful person. I wish I could spend a day with you, I feel like we’d be old pals hamming it up :P
    PS: I know it doesnt mean much to say, but please PLEASE dont ever back down on who you are. I love your personality. Dont stop writing, either! XO

    Reply
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  40. Carole Gunderson

    Today is my first day of reading your blog and it is just wonderful. I, too, am on a journey to lose weight – 40 lbs. gone so far- and I was at a kind of plateau. You have really inspired me!
    I can’t wait to try the Rainbow cupcakes this weekend for my son – he will be 44! These aren’t just for kids, you know. Of course, his 2 little girls will love them, to. Thanks for all you do.

    Reply
  41. Kelly

    I have always wanted to know how to make these. Do you know how to do cake in a jar? I would love to have the rainbow look in a jar to give friends.

    Reply
  42. Brianna

    So, I just tried making these & well, they’re in the oven right now. It was a total mess, just hoping they come out prettty! :D But, I’ve always wanted to make tye dye cupcakes so THANK YOU for this!

    Reply
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  47. Jo Bean

    OMG they are so freaking cool :D i think i’m going to make these for my school bake off, and I LOVE YOUR BLOGGG!!! <3 <3 <3

    Reply
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  50. Syd Hoff

    This is so amazing! i am making these for a project at my school and i will be sure to get an A++! I will be sure you put your name on the presentation that i am doing! :)

    Reply
  51. Anni M.

    umm, so im making this for my friend’s birthday, and trust me- i love you post, i dont know how but you have made perfect store-bought quality cupcakes. congrats- but about how many cupcakes do you think one cake mix could make for that?

    Reply
    1. Andie

      Hey Anni,

      Thanks! If you’re using a packaged white cake mix (like Pillsbury or Betty Crocker), you’ll get about 24 cupcakes!

      Andie

      Reply

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