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Perfect Pull-Apart Cupcake Cake in Vibrant School Colors

pull-apart cupcake cake - featured image
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A quick and easy pull-apart cupcake cake featuring vibrant school colors, perfect for game days and school events. This moist vanilla cupcake cake is topped with a smooth buttercream frosting and designed to be shareable and festive.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • Gel food coloring in school colors (red and gold recommended)
  • For the Buttercream Frosting:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: Extra gel food coloring for decorating

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners or grease well.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined after each addition.
  6. Divide batter evenly into 2 or 3 bowls depending on desired colors. Add gel food coloring to each bowl and stir gently to maintain airiness.
  7. Spoon colored batters into muffin cups in layers, swirls, or single colors, filling each about ⅔ full.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate pan halfway through baking.
  9. Let cupcakes cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Arrange cooled cupcakes tightly in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan to form the pull-apart cake.
  11. To make buttercream, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well.
  12. Stir in vanilla extract, heavy cream or milk, and a pinch of salt until desired frosting consistency is reached.
  13. Spread or pipe buttercream over arranged cupcakes, filling gaps and smoothing the top. Decorate with sprinkles or edible glitter if desired.

Notes

Do not skip the creaming step to ensure light and fluffy cupcakes. Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the batter. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even color and rise. Cool cupcakes completely before assembling and frosting to prevent melting. Press cupcakes firmly when arranging to keep them connected. Slice domed tops flat if needed for an even surface.

Nutrition

Keywords: pull-apart cupcake cake, school colors cake, vanilla cupcake cake, buttercream frosting, game day dessert, easy cupcake cake, colorful cupcakes

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/perfect-pull-apart-cupcake-cake-recipe-easy-vibrant-school-colors-tutorial-2/