Rainbow Cupcakes

I saw these a while back and had to make them.  I cheated, took the easy way out and used boxed cakes mixes and cans of pre-made frosting.

Don't be haters.

I did make over 100 of these, since when one kid asks for something for their class, they all will.

The boxes of cake mix say that they make 24 cupcakes.  They lie.  They really make more like 16-18 unless you are really stingy when filling your cupcake liners.  And these aren't the kind of cupcakes you can be stingy about.

In some ways, it is easier to make these in a larger quantity because of the food coloring issue as well as the is this really worth the amount of effort issue.

I'll leave it to you to decide.  ;)

I have written this recipe to make about 3 dozen cupcakes.

Rainbow Cupcakes
- 2 boxes white cake mix (not butter or yellow), and ingredients called for on box
- 3 cans pre-made buttercream frosting
- food coloring
- time and patience

Preheat oven to 350 (or whatever temperature recommended for cupcakes if the mix you are using is different). 

Make both boxes of cake mix at once, according to the package instructions.  Pour batter evenly into six bowls and tint them red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.

Line cupcake pans, then carefully drop batter in rainbow order into the liners.  You will need about a rounded 1/2 Tbsp of each color to fill the liners.  (about 3 rounded Tbsp total for each cupcake).

Do not stir the colors together, just pile on top, trying as much as possible to center the batter each time.

Bake 20-22 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out dry.

Let cool completely before frosting.  I prefer the lazy method of frosting, which looks fancier anyway.  Put the frosting in a gallon size baggie and squeeze out the air.  Cut off tip and pipe in a circular motion.

I sent these to school as a surprise, when the tops are frosted plainly and a darker liner used, the lucky eater will have no idea what awaits them inside!  Fun for St. Patrick's Day!