How to Make Rainbow Fish Cupcakes: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Do you have a little one or two who love the story Rainbow Fish? Do they also love cupcakes? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then this cupcake recipe is perfect for you!

In today’s post, we are going to show you how to make our version of Rainbow Fish Cupcakes. These adorable little creatures are perfect for any birthday party or special occasion! We will walk you through each step of the process, so no worries if you have never made cupcakes before.

Let’s get started!

What is the story of the Rainbow Fish?

The Rainbow Fish is a children’s book written by Marcus Pfister and published in 1992. The book is about a rainbow fish who finds friendship and happiness when he shares his most prized possession, his shiny scales.

The book has sold over 16 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 55 languages. It has even been adapted into a stage play and an opera!

Rainbow Fish Birthday Party Supplies

If you are going to have a themed birthday party, we found a few fun things to help set the stage, so to speak.

While this 3 Pieces Mermaids Tablecloth says “mermaids”, it is the perfect set up for any under the sea style party.

These paper lanterns will go well with the table cloth! Sogorge Mermaid Party Decorations /Under The Sea Party 18pcs Teal Lavender Purple 10inch 8inch Tissue Paper Pom Pom Paper Lanterns.

Complete the underwater feel with these hanging decorations: CANPA Mermaid Hanging Swirl Decorations.

How do I make these adorable cupcakes?

The yellow cupcake base can be made from either a boxed mix or the following recipe:

Standard cupcakes recipe

A good yellow cupcake recipe for the base:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs at room temp
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1/2” cubes
• 1/2 cup milk – the higher the fat content the better
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil

How to Make Rainbow Fish Cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the shelf in the middle of the oven. Line the muffin tin with cupcake liners.

In a large bowl whisk flour, baking powder, matcha, and salt together. Set aside.

Place butter and milk in a microwave-safe dish and zap 2 minutes on high to melt the butter.

In a separate bowl, beat eggs for 30 seconds on medium-high speed.

With the beater still going, pour the sugar in over 30 seconds.

Beat eggs for 6 minutes more on a highly faster speed, or until tripled in volume and almost pure white.

When the egg is whipped, scatter 1/3 flour across the surface, then beat on low for 5 seconds. Stop beating, add half the remaining flour, then mix again on low for 5 seconds. Add remaining flour, then mix on Speed 1 for 5 – 10 sec until the flour is just mixed in. Once you can’t see flour, stop straight away.

Pour the hot milk/butter, vanilla, and oil into the now empty flour bowl. Add about 3/4 cups of the Egg Batter into the hot milk. Use a whisk to mix until smooth. It should look kind of foamy.

With the beater on low still, pour the milk mixture into the Egg Batter over 10-15 seconds, then turn the beater off.

Fill your muffin tins with batter until they are 2/3 full. Bake 20-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

How to Make Rainbow Fish Cupcakes

I am going to show you how to make them from a boxed cake mix, but also talk about how to use the recipe above for the base of this Fish Cupcakes Recipe.

What you need for Rainbow Fish Cupcakes :

• A box of yellow cake box mix along with all the items the box asks for on the back; usually eggs, oil, and water.
• Buttercream frosting
• M&M’s candy, various colors
• Rainbow candy strips cut into triangles for the tail fin
• Sugar decorative eyes

Rainbow Fish cupcake tutorial

Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the shelf in the middle of the oven. Line the muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Take your cake mix and add the ingredients it asks for. Fill your muffin tips cups 2/3 full of batter and bake per the box instructions.

Let them cool completely.

Frosting Your Rainbow Fish Cupcakes

Place the piping bag into a large glass and fold the sides of the bag over the rim of the glass. Scoop the buttercream frosting into the piping bag. Bring the pastry bag edges up and twist them together to start decorating.

Add a 1 mm star tip to your gray bag.

If you don’t have a piping bag, try a plastic bag with the tip snipped off. Frost the cooled and filled cupcakes.

Pipe frosting on each cupcake in a smooth, flat swirl

Begin laying down the m&m’s on one side of the cupcake, allow them to overlap just a little – use any color pattern you want.

Leave an oval shape uncovered on the opposite side of the cupcake for the face of the fish.

Place a sugar eye on the face.

Add the rainbow candy tail on the back of the fish, wide side out.

Add a frosting mouth to your rainbow fish and you are all set!

FAQ:

Easy Melted Snowman Cupcakes

Use a dressed-up boxed cake mix.

How do you store Melted Snowman Cupcakes?

Here is the thing – with the more futzy designs, I like to make them in advance of an event or get-together. The best way to usually store your finished creations? Room Temperature.

Granted, they aren’t going to be around that long – my family of three could easily take them out in two to three days. Since you are using canned frosting instead of buttercream frosting or fondant, they should be fine for five to six days. The longer you wait to eat them, the higher the chances that your colors for scarves and buttons will run/bleed into your melted snow.

Other cupcake recipes you may like:

• Lemoncello Cupcakes: A Deliciously Tangy Treat
• Camo Cupcakes: How to Make the Perfect Army-Inspired Treats
• When Making Cupcakes: How Full to Fill the Liners
• Polar Bear Cupcakes: Adorable Treats for Your Winter Party
• Rudolph Cupcakes: A Delicious and Festive Holiday Treat