Everyone loves these adorable and delicious beach cupcakes! So easy to make, and perfect for summer birthdays, pool parties, and more.
Ahoy, cupcake connoisseurs and beach bum bakers! Get ready to set sail on a sugary adventure that’ll make your taste buds do the backstroke.
I’m excited to introduce you to the baked goods of your dreams, where the waves are made of frosting and the sand . . . well, it’s deliciously crumbly. I’m excited to share these beach cupcakes, the dessert that’s making a splash at summer birthdays and pool parties.
Now, before you don your apron and chef’s hat like some sort of kitchen-bound sea captain, let’s talk about what makes these cupcakes not just good, but “drop-your-sandcastle-and-run” fantastic.
They’re soft, they’re moist (without feeling like you found them at the bottom of the ocean), and they’re as indulgent as a day at the beach without the risk of sunburn. Imagine biting into a cloud of sugary bliss that’s as smooth and creamy as that high-end sunscreen you splurge on.
And these aren’t just any cupcakes. They’re a full-on beach-themed bash, complete with blue waves of frosting, graham cracker sand, and a cast of candy characters that are sure to get the party started.
The scene includes Teddy Grahams lounging under cocktail umbrella shade, Airhead Extreme Bites serving as the perfect beach towels, and Life Savers Gummies act as . . . life preservers. Optional pretzel rod palm trees sway in the gentle breeze.
You can also feel free to customize your cupcake coastline. Want to swap out the teddies for some goldfish crackers? Go for it. Thinking about adding Swedish fish to your sugary seascape? I’m not stopping you. The ocean’s the limit.
So, grab your muffin tin, hoist the sails, and let’s embark on a baking journey that promises to be as fun and colorful as a beach ball at a pool party.
Who knows? By the end of it, you might just find yourself crowned the ruler of the beach cupcake kingdom. Now, let’s dive in – no lifeguard on duty required!
Here’s what you’re going to need for these beach themed cupcakes.
- 15.25 ounce white cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1 – 2 (16 ounce) cans vanilla frosting
- 5 – 7 drops blue food coloring
- 1 box of graham crackers
- Teddy Grahams
- Airhead Extreme Bites
- Life Savers Gummies
- Optional – Small Pretzel Rods sticks on the ‘beach’
Tools
- Cocktail umbrellas
- Muffin tin
- Cupcake liners
- Bowls
- Spoons
- Food processor
- Butter knife or spatula
Tips and Thoughts for This Recipe
Do you want to make the cupcakes from scratch? Use the recipe from our Christmas wreath cupcakes then decorate with the beach scene instead.
Other things you could add in could be different flavored teddy grahams, goldfish and other sea cheese crackers, Swedish fish, or other candies that mimic things you would see in the ocean or at the beach.
Store your cupcakes in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can either store them in the muffin tin covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
Get the printable recipe card below:
Beach Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce white cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 egg white(s) large
- 1 – 2 cans vanilla frosting 16 ounce
- 5 – 7 drops food coloring blue
- 1 box graham crackers
- Teddy Grahams
- Airhead Extreme Bites
- Life Savers Gummies
- small Pretzel Rods optional sticks on the ‘beach’
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and line your cupcake tin with cupcake liners.
- Stir together the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and egg whites until just combined. It's okay if there are a few little lumps remaining.
- Scoop about 1/4 cups of the cake mixture into each cupcake liner in your muffin tin.
- Bake for about 18- 20 minutes or until slightly golden on top and a toothpick comes out clean. When the cupcakes are done, let them cool completely.
- While the cupcakes are baking, stir together the frosting and blue food coloring to make the "water."
- Use the knife to frost the cupcakes with the blue frosting. Make waves by swirling the frosting with the knife.
- Make the "sand" by processing half of the graham crackers in your food processor.
- Sprinkle sand on top of the frosting. Then decorate with the umbrellas, Teddy Grahams, Life Savers (floating devices), and the Airhead Extreme Bites (beach towels).
Notes
Nutrition
Did you love these beach themed cupcakes? Let me know in the comments! Also check out these other cupcake recipes with different themes:
Autumn Owls • Boston Cream • Cadbury Mini Egg • Chocolate Buttercream • Chocolate Cherry • Chocolate Zucchini • Churro • Cookie Monster • Gingerbread • Honey • Hot Cocoa • Jam Filled • Matcha • Pumpkin • Snickers • Strawberry Nutella