Skittles Flavor Extract Rainbow Cupcakes

Skittles Flavor Extract Rainbow Cupcakes

Dolce Flav

Servings

12

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Category

Skittles

These festive cupcakes start with a soft vanilla base boosted by Skittles Flavor Extract for a true “taste-the-rainbow” profile. The batter bakes up tender and moist, and the silky buttercream carries a second hit of Skittles flavor. For a rainbow look, divide the batter and tint with gel colors before swirling into the liners, then pipe a pretty buttercream swirl on top.

Ingredients

    Cupcakes

    • 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
    • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
    • ¼ tsp baking soda
    • ¼ tsp fine salt
    • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
    • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs, room temp
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1–1½ tsp Skittles Flavor Extract (adjust to potency)
    • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk, room temp
    • Optional: gel food colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)

    Skittles Buttercream

    • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temp
    • 3 ½–4 cups (420–480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
    • ¼ tsp fine salt
    • 1–2 Tbsp heavy cream or milk
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp Skittles Flavor Extract (plus ¼ tsp more to taste)
    • Optional: gel food colors; Skittles candies for garnish

    Directions

    1. Prep & preheat: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.

    2. Whisk dry: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.

    3. Cream butter & sugar: In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high 2–3 minutes until pale and fluffy.

    4. Add eggs & flavor: Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping bowl. Mix in vanilla and Skittles Flavor Extract.

    5. Finish batter: On low speed, add dry ingredients in two additions alternating with milk, ending with dry. Mix just until smooth—do not overmix.

    6. Optional rainbow swirl: Divide batter into 4–6 bowls, tint each portion, then spoon random dollops into liners and lightly swirl with a skewer for a tie-dye effect.

    7. Bake: Fill liners ⅔ full. Bake 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then cool completely on a rack.

    8. Buttercream: Beat butter until creamy (1 minute). Add powdered sugar, salt, and 1 Tbsp cream; beat on medium-high 2 minutes until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and Skittles Flavor Extract; adjust cream/extract to taste and consistency.

    9. Color & pipe: If desired, stripe a piping bag with rainbow gel colors, fill with buttercream, and pipe swirls. Garnish with Skittles (optional). Serve.