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Beach Party Cupcakes That’ll Steal the Show!
These Beach Cupcakes are almost too cute to eat—almost! They’re the perfect treat for your next summer party, BBQ, picnic, pool day, or beach-themed birthday.
With sweet little Teddy Grahams sunbathing under umbrellas, these cupcakes are as fun to make as they are to eat.
The bright blue frosting looks just like the ocean, and the “sand” made of crushed cookies? Genius.
Whether you’re hosting a cookout or bringing a dessert to a Fourth of July party, these cupcakes bring vacation vibes to every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need For This Recipe:
Prep time: 30 minutes
Bake time: 14-16 minutes
Servings: 12-16 cupcakes
Ingredients:
- ¾ c sugar
- ½ c unsalted butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 t vanilla
- ½ c milk
- 1 ½ c flour
- 1 ½ t baking powder
- ½ t salt
- 4 c powdered sugar
- 1 c unsalted butter, softened
- ½ t salt
- 1 t vanilla
- 2-3 T milk
- Turquoise (or any shade of blue) food coloring
- ½ c Teddy Grahams
- 8-10 Peach Rings
- Air Heads rainbow candy
- Umbrella toothpicks, to decorate
Step-by-step Guide:
1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2 – Line a standard muffin tin with cupcake liners and set it aside.
3 – In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and sugar and mix until smooth.
4 – Add in the milk, vanilla and eggs. Mix on low speed until combined, scraping the sides often.
5 – Add in the flour, baking powder and salt.
6 – Mix on low until combined, then bump up the speed to medium for another minute. Scrape the sides often.
7 – Using a small ice cream scoop or similar, divide the batter between each of the cupcake liners, filling each about ½-⅔ full.
8 – Bake in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until the centers are set. Allow to cool completely before decorating.
9 – For the frosting – In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine about half of the powdered sugar, the softened butter, salt and vanilla.
10 – Mix on low speed until combined.
11 – Add in the remaining powdered sugar, milk and food coloring (start with just a little bit, you can always add more later).
12 – Mix on low speed until just combined.
13 – Bump up the speed to medium and mix for an additional 2-3 minutes or until frosting is smooth and fluffy. Scrape the sides often.
14 – Add additional food coloring until desired shade is achieved. Set aside.
15 – Place about half of the Teddy Grahams in a food processor – we sorted the whole from the ones missing limbs and place those missing a head, arm or leg in the food processor.
16 – Grind the Teddy Grahams into a crumb consistency. Set aside.
17 – Cut the Air Heads rainbow candy into rectangles big enough to fit a Teddy Graham.
18 – Assemble the rainbow towel with one Teddy Graham for a total of 8-10 sets. Set aside.
19 – Place a whole Teddy Graham body into the center of each peach ring – total of 8-10. Set aside.
20 – To assemble the cupcakes – spread an even layer of frosting over the top of each cupcake. Use an offset spatula to easily level the top.
21 – On half of the cupcakes, place a peach ring Teddy. Set aside.
22 – On the other half of the cupcakes, spread the Teddy Graham crumbs over about ½-¾ of the cupcake surface to create the sand beach.
23 – Place a sunbathing Teddy on the towel on the beach side of the cupcake.
24 – Insert an umbrella toothpick into the cupcake for an additional garnish.
25 – Serve your decorated, super cute, Teddy Graham beach cupcakes and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Success:
-
Use a piping bag for cleaner, quicker frosting. You’ll get that smooth “ocean” look with way less mess.
-
Chill your cupcakes before decorating to keep the frosting from melting—especially on hot summer days!
-
Make it dairy-free by using plant-based milk and dairy-free butter. The texture and taste still shine!
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Add a touch of coconut extract to the frosting for a tropical twist that screams “beach day!”
-
Get creative with candy decorations—gummy sharks, crushed graham crackers, or edible pearls can add even more fun.
-
Let kids decorate their own cupcakes at the party—it’s a fun and edible activity everyone will love!
Whether you’re planning a beach bash, pool party, or a sunny BBQ, these Beach Cupcakes bring the fun and flavor.
They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and guaranteed to make a splash.
Grab your Teddy Grahams and get the party started!
Beach Cupcakes
Yield:
12 cupcakes
Prep Time:
30 minutes
Cook Time:
15 minutes
Total Time:
45 minutes
Ingredients
- ¾ c sugar
- ½ c unsalted butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 t vanilla
- ½ c milk
- 1 ½ c flour
- 1 ½ t baking powder
- ½ t salt
- 4 c powdered sugar
- 1 c unsalted butter, softened
- ½ t salt
- 1 t vanilla
- 2-3 T milk
- Turquoise (or any shade of blue) food coloring
- ½ c Teddy Grahams
- 8-10 Peach Rings
- Air Heads rainbow candy
- Umbrella toothpicks, to decorate
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a standard muffin tin with cupcake liners and set it aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and sugar and mix until smooth.
4. Add in the milk, vanilla and eggs. Mix on low speed until combined, scraping the sides often.
5. Add in the flour, baking powder and salt.
6. Mix on low until combined, then bump up the speed to medium for another minute. Scrape the sides often.
7. Using a small ice cream scoop or similar, divide the batter between each of the cupcake liners, filling each about ½-⅔ full.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until the centers are set. Allow to cool completely before decorating.
9. For the frosting - In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine about half of the powdered sugar, the softened butter, salt and vanilla.
10. Mix on low speed until combined.
11. Add in the remaining powdered sugar, milk and food coloring (start with just a little bit, you can always add more later).
12. Mix on low speed until just combined.
13. Bump up the speed to medium and mix for an additional 2-3 minutes or until frosting is smooth and fluffy. Scrape the sides often.
14. Add additional food coloring until desired shade is achieved. Set aside.
15. Place about half of the Teddy Grahams in a food processor - we sorted the whole from the ones missing limbs and place those missing a head, arm or leg in the food processor.
16. Grind the Teddy Grahams into a crumb consistency. Set aside.
17. Cut the Air Heads rainbow candy into rectangles big enough to fit a Teddy Graham.
18. Assemble the rainbow towel with one Teddy Graham for a total of 8-10 sets. Set aside.
19. Place a whole Teddy Graham body into the center of each peach ring - total of 8-10. Set aside.
20. To assemble the cupcakes - spread an even layer of frosting over the top of each cupcake. Use an offset spatula to easily level the top.
21. On half of the cupcakes, place a peach ring Teddy. Set aside.
22. On the other half of the cupcakes, spread the Teddy Graham crumbs over about ½-¾ of the cupcake surface to create the sand beach.
23. Place a sunbathing Teddy on the towel on the beach side of the cupcake.
24. Insert an umbrella toothpick into the cupcake for an additional garnish.
25. Serve your decorated, super cute, Teddy Graham beach cupcakes and enjoy!
