Little Mermaid Cupcakes

These easy and adorable little mermaid cupcakes are just what you need for your next mermaid party. Made with a boxed cake mix and pre-made frosting, these cupcakes can be made with just a few simple ingredients.

Beautiful mermaid dessert

Hosting a mermaid party, princess party, or even under the sea party? These easy mermaid cupcakes are sure to impress your party guests and be the highlight of your party.

This cupcake recipe would also work well for a Disney princess party.

Don't forget to check out these magical mermaid cake ideas and clam shell cookies to compliment the cupcakes.

Ingredients needed

• Chocolate cake mix - This recipe calls for chocolate but feel free to use your favorite cake mix.
• Eggs - Used for to make the cupcakes.
• Vegetable oil - Part of the ingredients for the cupcake batter.
• Water
• Red frosting - You can use premade or homemade frosting.
• Candy melts - Used to make the edible mermaid tails.

Some of the helpful tools used to make these cupcakes include:

• Silicone mermaid tail mold - Using a silicone mold makes it easy to make the tail toppers. You can also find shell shaped molds for extra decoration.
• Piping tip - Used to pipe on the frosting.
• Piping bags - These make it easy to hold the frosting but you could substitute with a zip top bag.
• Cupcake liners - Used to hold the cupcakes. Use your favorite color for the party theme.
• Optional - sprinkles

How to make little mermaid cupcakes recipe

This is a super easy cupcake recipe using a cake mix. Feel free to use homemade cupcakes or even plain store bought cupcakes for the base.

Step one: Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare 2 cupcake pans with paper cupcake liners.

Step two: Prepare your milk chocolate cupcakes using the ingredients and instructions on the box. Our box called for the mix, water, eggs, and oil to be combined in a large mixing bowl. Bake the cupcakes and cool them on a cooling rack completely before decorating.

Step three: While the cupcakes are baking, let’s make our mermaid tails! Start by melting (1) 12-ounce package of turquoise candy melts according to the instructions on the package. Pour the melted candies into a piping bag. Cut a small hole in the tip of the piping bag and pipe the melted candy into the mermaid tail candy mold—place in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden. 

Step four: Once completely cooled, let’s add red frosting to the cupcakes. Place the red frosting in a piping bag. We used a Wilton #12 piping tip to frost the tops of the cupcakes to look like the mermaid's long red hair!

Step five: Remove the candy mold from the freezer. Gently pop each mermaid tail out of the silicone mold. Place a mermaid tail in the center of the cupcake on the top of the frosting.

Recipe variations

Cake - This recipe calls for chocolate but you can substitute your favorite cake flavors like vanilla, funfetti, strawberry, lemon, and more.

Frosting - If your party colors are different, choose a different color frosting like purple, pink, or blue. If you have a specific color in mind you can use white frosting with food coloring.

Other - Want to add extra color? Try topping with mermaid sprinkles. You could even add some luster dust to the candy tails for extra shimmer.

Tips for the cutest mermaid tail cupcakes

• The oil, water, and eggs are the ingredients called for on the cake mix we used. Be sure to check your cake mix directions and prepare according to the box.
• If you are short on time, make the mermaid tails the night before so they are ready to go.

How to store

Store: These cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can also be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days.

More cupcakes

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• Carrot patch cupcakes - Chocolate cupcakes filled with a "carrot" strawberry.
• Easter cupcake ideas - Ideas for spring themed cupcakes.

📖 Recipe