Shark Cupcakes
Our delicious Shark Cupcakes are great for ocean-themed birthday parties, Fourth of July barbecues and Shark Week celebrations! These are impressive looking cupcakes but they're easy to make with boxed cake mix, a homemade frosting and edible shark decorations.
Servings: 24
Calories: 353kcal
Equipment
- silicone shark molds
- cupcake pan
- 24 cupcake liners
Ingredients
- 1 box of cake mix plus package ingredients
- 2 cups white candy melts
- white shimmer sprinkles
- red sugar sprinkles
Frosting
- 1 cup butter softened
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 8 cups confectioner's sugar
- blue food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to the temperature indicated on the box of cupcake mix (usually 350°F). Line the muffin tin with muffin liners. Make the cupcake batter as indicated on the package and fill each liner. Bake in the preheated oven for the time suggested on box, usually 15 minutes. Remove cupcakes from the oven when done and place on a workspace to decorate. Let cool for 15 minutes before frosting.
- While the cupcakes bake, make the shark fins and sharks using the candy melts. Prepare the candy melts according to the instructions on the package and fill each mold. Let cool for a few minutes in the fridge then remove the candy sharks from the mold. Continue until you have as many as you need. (This step can be done in advance as it will take time to make all of the sharks.)
- Make the frosting by combining butter, cream cheese and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Beat on low speed with an electric mixer until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar 2 cups at a time and continue to beat until smooth. Add the blue food coloring and mix until the color is evenly incorporated into the frosting.
- Secure your piping tip to the piping bag. Fill the piping bag halfway with frosting. Twist the piping bag closed and hold securely while squeezing the frosting onto each cupcake.
- Decorate each cupcake with the edible sharks and red and white sprinkles. The white sprinkles can be poured near the sharks so that they look like foam from waves and the red can sprinkled around the cupcake to look like blood.
- Serve within a few hours or store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Notes
Storing: Store cupcakes in the fridge for 2-3 days.
The most timely part of this recipe is making the decorative candy shark toppers so make sure to plan for that part in advance. I usually do this the night before and it takes about 30 minutes to prepare candy toppers for 24 cupcakes.
The cupcakes can also be made a day in advance (don't frost them). Store unfrosted cupcakes in the fridge, then a few hours before the party make the frosting and decorate them. This will save you time the day of your party!
Don't try to dye your white candy melts gray or black to look like a real shark. The candy melts will change texture and appearance.
Nutrition
Serving: 5oz | Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 229mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 270IU | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 0.5mg
