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.
Recipe Card
Mermaid Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Mermaid Tails
- 28 ounces colored white chocolate
- Edible glitter
- [Mermaid tail molds] https://amzn.to/2JLYQV5
For the Cupcakes
- 1 ½ cups 180 grams cake flour (can also use unbleached all-purpose flour)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup 115 grams unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup 225 grams granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup 115 grams buttermilk, room temperature
For the Buttercream
- ¾ cup 170 grams unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 ½ cups 437 grams powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 - 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- ½ cup finely crushed Nila wafers
- 1 drop teal food coloring
- ¼ cup sprinkles
Instructions
- 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° 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 ¾ 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.
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!
Natalie says
Oh my... these cupcakes look soooo cute and beautiful. I love the colours and decoration. How fun is that? Love this!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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).
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!
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!
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!
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!!
Kelli says
These are ADORABLE! I will need to find an occasion to make these for sure.
The Foodie Journey says
Oh my goodness, how cute are these cupcakes!?? So fun!! I also love the ombre effect on the cupcake liners
Natalie says
I absolutely love them! The glitter is the perfect touch!
Erin Clarkson says
These are the cutest ever!