There isn’t anything cuter than mermaid cupcakes to brighten up your day. These cupcakes are so easy and fun to make and will make everyone’s day so much brighter.
I mentioned before when I shared my Mermaid White Chocolate Bark that I was doing a mermaid theme for my daughter’s 7th birthday. First of all, how the heck did she get so old without me noticing? I can’t believe it. I still think of her as being a little toddler barely able to talk and now she is this sassy little lady.
It sounds crazy, but sometimes I still don’t feel like I am ready to be a mom! I am sure there are other moms out there who can understand what I mean by that.
These mermaid cupcakes where thankfully a huge hit at the party. I did combinations of blue, purple, and pink and the kids all ended up coming up to the table to “reserve” the mermaid tails they wanted. I also made a cake that I shared on instagram that was topped with more mermaid tails with Nilla wafer “sand” and mermaid sprinkles.
So these mermaid cupcakes were actually pretty easy to make. You start of with my basic vanilla cupcakes. Then you crushed Nilla wafers to make sand. You can use any plain vanilla cookies you want here. Then you make a large batch of vanilla buttercream. Spread a thin layer of buttercream on the cupcakes and dip in the Nilla wafers.
Once that is finished, you add just a single drop of teal food coloring. My recommendation is the Americolor teal. I love this color. It makes the frosting the perfect shade with just a single drop.
The hardest part about making these mermaid cupcakes is the mermaid tails. But they aren’t hard so much as they are a little time consuming to make, especially if, like me, you only have three mermaid tail molds. It requires you to constantly reheat your chocolate. My recommendation is to buy two sets of molds. The extra cost is completely balanced by keeping your sanity filling the molds.
These are the molds I used to make these tails. There are two smaller ones and one larger one. Both sizes still work for the cupcakes, but you do need to ensure your frosting is a bit on the thicker side to hold up to the weight of the larger ones.
I just used colored candy melts from the local craft store to make the tails. They have a pretty good white chocolate flavor, but it isn’t real white chocolate. Honestly though, it’s hard to find true white chocolate with the cocoa butter in it. If you want something with a more sophisticated white chocolate taste, I recommend trying Trader Joe’s white chocolate mixed in with food coloring. Or you can keep them white and color with various colored glitter dust. I used gold as an accent for these tails.
But as you can see, they are just as beautiful without the tails.
As for the sprinkles, I spent a lot of time searching for the perfect sprinkles to use here. I spent ages on Amazon, and Etsy and baking websites looking for the perfect mix. I ended up feeling too picky about it and time was running out. In the end, I decided to do to the same shop, NeonYolk (Update: NeonYolk is sold out of the Mermaid Dream sprinkles, but you can find her other Mermaid mixes here), I used when I got my Trolls sprinkle mix for her party last year because the woman who owns the shop is so incredibly sweet and wonderful, plus she is great at getting things shipped out to you almost immediately.
I didn’t even know if she had mermaid sprinkles, but I figured something close would work because she deserved my repeat business. She does have a mermaid mix, and it was actually perfect because the shade of pink in the mix is just the same as in the gift bags we used. And friend, the mix is even prettier in person. Words cannot describe how happy I was to see the mix and see how pretty they are in the cupcakes. You need these sprinkles! They are worth every single penny.
Beautiful and sweet, these mermaid cupcakes will be a hit at your next party Start making the mermaid tails. Melt the chocolates. For easier application, use squeeze bottles to fill the molds. Add the chocolate to the molds and swipe away any excess off the top. Place the molds in the freezer for about 3 - 4 minutes. Carefully remove the chocolates. I recommend slowly pulling the mold from the chocolate around the thinnest area then slowly working your way around the chocolate to loosen it. Freeze unmolded chocolates as you work. Clean the edges of the mermaid tails and then use a brush to brush the edible glitter onto the tails. Set aside. I recommend keeping them in the freezer until ready to top onto the cupcakes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F for the cupcakes. Line the cupcake tin with liners. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy - about 5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, beat well between each addition of egg for about 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract. Alternate between adding the flour mixture in three batches, and the buttermilk mixture in two batches. Mix until each batch is just combined. Do not overmix. I recommend folding in the last batch of flour by hand. Fill the cupcake liners with the batter until they are about 3/4 full. Bake for about 18 - 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Start making the buttercream. Beat the butter until it is smooth. Beat in the powdered sugar in 1 cup increments, beating well after each addition. Add in the salt and vanilla and mix well. Add in the heavy cream until the buttercream is smooth and workable, but still on the firmer side so it can hold up the weight of the mermaid tails. Place about 2 teaspoons of buttercream on top of each cupcake and smooth out. Dunk the frosted cupcakes into the crushed Nila wafers so they are completely coated. Add the food coloring to the bowl with the remaining buttercream. Beat until the buttercream is fully tinted. Add a star tip to a piping bag and fill with the frosting. Pipe the frosting onto the center of the cupcakes, allowing the Nila wafers to be seen around the edges. Add sprinkles to the teal buttercream. Top the frosting with the mermaid tails, pushing down so they stay in.Mermaid Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Mermaid Tails
For the Cupcakes
For the Buttercream
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12 Serving Size:
1 cupcake
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 561Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 26gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 360mgCarbohydrates: 110gFiber: 1gSugar: 92gProtein: 7g
Erin Clarkson says
These are the cutest ever!
Natalie says
I absolutely love them! The glitter is the perfect touch!
The Foodie Journey says
Oh my goodness, how cute are these cupcakes!?? So fun!! I also love the ombre effect on the cupcake liners
Kelli says
These are ADORABLE! I will need to find an occasion to make these for sure.
Gloria says
OMG these are so cute. I just make some BUG cupcakes for my grandson. These would be cute for my granddaughter’s upcoming birthday. I know she would LOVE them for sure….especially the colours!!
Susie says
I also 100% feel like I am still 21 years old and I could not possibly be the owner of this house, these cars… let alone that I am in charge of 2 children to take care of. WHAT! But I am and I do! I think it is pretty common feeling among young parents!
I am swooning over these cupcakes… my 7 yr old self would have died for a birthday party with these cupcakes! How wonderful for your daughter. I bet she had an amazing birthday!
Sarah says
Wow, you put so much thought and effort into these cupcakes! They’re incredibly gorgeous. I love that mermaid tail molds exist- who would’ve guessed?! (Not me, that’s who.) These would make any mermaid party extra special- I love it!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I have to be honest — I’ve seen Mermaid this and Unicorn that — and I’ve thought they were the dumbest things ever — but these are truly Mermaid cupcakes and they are absolutely adorable. You’ve done a masterful job — well done. I can only imagine how thrilled the kids were when they saw your beautiful creations. As far as the kids growing up — mine just graduated from college last week – it goes by way too fast!
Meg says
I can’t believe how cute these are!!! All the details and the colors are so amazing. I love the Nilla wafer sand too. Those are some incredibly beautiful and tasty cupcakes, I wish I could have gone to the party and snagged one (or all).
Wendy O'Neal says
I was a bit worried about making these, but they really were super easy…just took patience and time. The cupcakes and buttercream were perfect and the mermaid tails were sooo cute! They were a huge hit at my daughter’s school party!
Kris says
These are about as festive and as adorable as you will ever find. Of course they are absolutely beautiful and such a conversation starter, but the cupcakes also look absolutely delicious! I love the use of Nila wafers in the buttercream! Really nice recipe and thanks for sharing.
lauren says
Well aren’t these the most fun thing on the internet!! Honestly, I was a little nervous at seeing those tails and all the details but chocolate molds are something I can work with! These are super fun, maybe I can convince my 3yo she needs a mermaid themed birthday party.
Andrea says
love these mermaid cupcakes, they are so cute and would be perfect for my birthday party next month, it’s gonna be a pool party.
Natalie says
Oh my… these cupcakes look soooo cute and beautiful. I love the colours and decoration. How fun is that? Love this!
Kim @ Berly's Kitchen says
These are so stinking cute! I have a friend who would love these for her daughter’s next birthday. They are adorable!
Eileen Kelly says
Wow, what a festive cupcake. The detail to make the fish tale is so amazing. You attention to detail is spot on amazing.
michele says
These are simply amazing. I really appreciate the tip about buying two sets of molds for the tails. Nothing is more frustrating than all the extra down time when you just want to see the final product! Ive pinned these to keep for our annual beach party themed party! Thanks!
Tina says
How clever, these are so cute. Those colors are spot on Disney-esque. That is the cutest mermaid infestation ever. Saving this for my daughter, she would love to make these for her study group, she got the baking gene in the family. Thanks for sharing this!
Julia says
Happy birthday to your little one! These cupcakes look absolutely whimsical and beautiful! I thought you bought the fish tails but wow, you actually made them – I’m so impressed. And the sprinkles look adorable also. Such a fun birthday!
Marisa Franca says
Those cupcakes are so doggone cute!! What a perfect dessert for a little girls party or how about a swim party in the back yard? I simply have to make some — what a show stopper.
Marisa Franca says
Those cupcakes are so doggone cute!! What a perfect dessert for a little girls party or how about a swim party in the back yard? I simply have to make some — what a show stopper.
Anne Murphy says
Those are so cute! I was wondering where you fund the fish tails – and fascinated to learn that you can make them yourself. Adorable.
Annemarie says
My day is brighter just seeing these cupcakes! They are so cute! I’m not surprised they were the hit of the party. Thanks for all the tips on the tails, the type of chocolate, and the sprinkles. I’ll be sure to get two set of the molds.
Jessica Pinney says
Oh my gosh! These are sooo cool! I’m going to make them with my niece for her birthday. Can’t wait!
Kat Jeter says
OMG my niece is so into mermaids she would absolutely love these beautiful cupcakes!!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Wow, these are the prettiest cupcakes I have ever seen!! I know a little girl who would be obsessed with these!!!
Heather says
Adorable! Anyone would love these cupcakes.. young or old 🙂 … great colors and great concept. super cute!!
Amanda says
These are some of the cutest cupcakes I’ve ever seen! Those mermaid tails are phenomenal. How incredibly creative and I can believe that these were a tremendous hit at your daughter’s birthday party. What a special treat. I also love the Americolor soft gel food colors. The shades are beautiful (I usually use them in meringue buttercream) and they don’t affect the texture of what you’re making at all. Even though I don’t have kids, I’m going to have to make some of these cupcakes this summer, because hello adorable!
Carmy says
These are SOOO cute! I’d love to have these for a themed birthday! I need those mermaid tail molds right away.
Tracy says
Wow!! These are incredible! Can I commission you to make some for my daughters bday? Cause I am not NEARLY as crafty as you are- these are just perfect!
Patty says
These cupcakes are cutest and so original! I love the color of the buttercream, that teal color is awesome, I need to get it and find something to do with it! I also love how you made your mermaid tails, that requires some skills!
elcitrakale says
My daughter will scream happily to see this ! İ love all the colors you use, so vibrant and alive. Nice idea to entertain kids at my daughter b’day party later
Stephanie Simmons says
Oh my goodness! These cupcakes are a work of art – and your photos are stunning!
Deepa S Rane says
Hi, wow its so adorable cup cakes. My question is how did you color the mermaid tails, I mean there are 2 colors are involved so which color did you use & is there any specific brush to color them? I’m planning to make tails by using the white chocolate.
Thanks!
Amanda Powell says
I used colored white chocolate (it came in those colors), but you can add food coloring to your melted white chocolate too. The only thing I brushed on the tails was edible glitter dust with a brand new paint brush. Hope this helps!