How to Make the Best Sunflower Cupcakes

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Why do we like sunflowers? They are so cheerful, especially when they’re in full bloom. The bright yellow petals and their happy faces make us feel better about the world! There is nothing like finding a full field of them in the fall and walking through them.

Some people love to even plant sunflowers They are easy to grow, and they attract pollinators. It is easier to do you you might think.

Regardless, I love to see a field of sunflowers in the fall. It’s probably on my annual bucket list, and I’m not sure why it is there. Maybe because they are so cheerful that when you find yourself surrounded by them, you feel better about life! So what does this have to do with cupcakes? Nothing really (I just like to ramble), but I have a recipe for the Best Sunflower Cupcakes.

Sunflower cupcakes

Sunflower cupcakes are a perfect way to celebrate summer. These iced treats are easy to make, and they taste great too!

Sunflower cupcakes for a wedding shower?

Did you know that Sunflowers are a traditional flower for weddings and other celebrations? You can now make these happy flowers into sweet cupcakes! So many people are now doing cupcakes at their weddings instead of a wedding cake.

Why are people doing cupcakes instead of wedding cakes?

It can be a better cost per person at your event, you don’t have to have someone sitting there who knows how to actually cut and serve a cake, and the different tiered displays that are available are just as impressive as a layered wedding cake.

Sunflower cupcakes with Oreos

When looking at Sunflower cupcakes ideas, this is one of the top suggestions. It is round, the right color, and has a nice bumpy texture that helps look like the sunflower seeds in the center of a flower.

The other idea some people use is chocolate chips. We wanted this to be an EASY Sunflower cupcakes recipe so we used a mini Oreo instead of hand placing all those chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips.

Sunflower cupcakes decorations

This one is going to be easy – just two things are really needed to create these: yellow frosting and Oreo cookies. We used mini Oreo cookies as they sit best on top of cupcakes and really look more proportional to the finished design.

Sunflower cupcakes recipe

These cupcake bases can be made with either a yellow boxed cake mix or a recipe from scratch.

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

How to make sunflower cupcakes

In a large bowl whisk flour, baking powder, 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.

Easy Sunflower Cupcakes recipe

Use a dressed-up boxed cake mix. (snort)

How do you store Sunflower 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. You can learn more about that in our article How To Frost A Cupcake.

How to Make Sunflower Cupcakes

Bake cupcakes per whichever recipe you want to use and let them cool completely.

In a bowl mix white frosting with yellow food coloring to make a deep yellow color.

Place frosting in a piping bag with a Wilton #70 tip to make the petals.

Place a small dab of frosting directly in the center of the cupcake and place the mini Oreo on top.

Pipe petals from the cookie outward all the way around the cupcake,

Your sunflowers are done!

Check out a few of our other cupcake ideas:

• 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