Graduation Cap Cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate a milestone with a sweet, playful touch. These delightful treats combine classic flavors with a whimsical design, making them a hit at any graduation party.
The base of our cupcakes starts with a vanilla cake mix, providing a reliable and fluffy texture without the fuss. Eggs add richness and structure, while vegetable oil ensures a moist crumb. Water helps bring it all together, creating a smooth batter ready for baking. For the graduation cap, chocolate squares serve as the mortarboard, paired with mini peanut butter cups for the base. Yellow decorating icing acts as our edible glue and decoration, while small colorful candy strings add the finishing tassel touch.
These cupcakes are a delightful addition to a graduation party dessert table. Pair them with a bright, fruity punch to complement their sweetness. For a more elegant touch, serve alongside a platter of fresh berries and a light vanilla cream dip.
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with 24 paper liners. This step ensures your cupcakes bake evenly and are easy to remove. Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your vanilla cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Mix until the batter is smooth and lump-free — don’t overdo it, just enough until everything is well combined.
Next, pour the batter into the prepared cupcake molds, filling each about two-thirds full. This gives the cupcakes room to rise without spilling over. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely on a wire rack — patience is key here, as you don’t want your decorations melting on warm cupcakes!
Once cooled, it’s time to assemble the caps. Place a mini peanut butter cup upside down on each cupcake. Add a small dab of yellow decorating icing to the top of the peanut butter cup and gently press a chocolate square on top. This forms the classic cap shape. Use the icing to create a small dot in the center of each chocolate square, attaching a colorful candy string as the tassel. Allow the icing to set for a bit before serving.
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