Description
Create adorable Lion Cupcakes perfect for parties or special occasions with this fun and easy recipe. Vanilla cupcakes are baked and decorated with colorful buttercream frosting to resemble a lion’s mane, complete with marshmallow muzzles, chocolate chip noses, and sugar eyes, making a delightful treat that’s as charming as it is delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cupcakes
- 1 box of vanilla cupcake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
For the Decoration
- 3 cups buttercream frosting
- Yellow gel food coloring
- Orange gel food coloring
- 12 mini chocolate chips
- 24 small edible sugar eyes
- 12 large marshmallows
- Black frosting or edible marker
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven according to the directions on the cupcake mix box. Line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners to ensure the cupcakes bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, combine the vanilla cupcake mix, 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 1 cup water. Mix until smooth and well-combined, creating a consistent batter.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Pour the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for the cupcakes to rise without overflowing.
- Bake Cupcakes: Bake according to the package instructions, usually about 18-20 minutes. Once baked, remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack to ensure frosting adheres properly.
- Color the Frosting: Divide the 3 cups of buttercream frosting into two separate bowls. Add a few drops of yellow gel food coloring to one bowl and orange gel food coloring to the other, mixing each until the colors are fully incorporated.
- Pipe the Mane: Place the yellow frosting into a piping bag fitted with a medium star tip. Pipe the lion’s mane around the edge of each cupcake, alternating sections of yellow and orange to create a vibrant two-toned mane effect that looks lifelike and fun.
- Prepare the Muzzle: Cut the 12 large marshmallows in half horizontally to create 12 muzzle pieces, which will form the lion’s face center.
- Attach the Muzzle: Dab a small amount of frosting on the back of each marshmallow half and place it carefully in the center of each cupcake to secure it.
- Create the Nose: Use the mini chocolate chips for the lion’s nose by applying a tiny dab of frosting on one side and sticking the chip onto the top center of each marshmallow.
- Add Eyes and Details: Position two small edible sugar eyes above the muzzle on each cupcake. Finally, use black frosting or an edible marker to draw a smiling mouth and whiskers on the marshmallow muzzle, bringing the lion’s face to life.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant frosting colors without altering texture.
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, use a plastic sandwich bag with the tip cut off.
- Substitute mini chocolate chips with small black candies if preferred.
- For extra flair, sprinkle edible glitter on the mane for a shimmering effect.
