Cutest Recipe for Kids: How to Bake and Decorate Coloring Book Cupcakes

Growing up, I always loved flipping through coloring books on quiet afternoons. I can bring that same creative spark to my baking with these coloring book cupcakes. This recipe walks you through baking and decorating and highlights the tools that help each cupcake look like it popped off a page. Try them for your next get-together or family weekend.

1.  Coloring Book Cupcake Base Recipe  🧁

What You’ll Need:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup milk

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and place cupcake liners in a muffin tin.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
• Cream butter and sugar in another bowl until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Mix in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla.
• Add dry mixture in two parts, alternating with milk, and stir until batter looks smooth.
• Fill cupcake liners about two-thirds full. The batter makes 12-13 cupcakes. (We love the So Yummy by bella cupcake pan)
• Bake 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool cupcakes completely on a wire rack.

2. Vanilla Butter Icing Recipe 🎨

What You’ll Need:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1–3 tbsp milk

Instructions:

• Beat butter in a bowl until creamy.
• Add powdered sugar in two parts, mixing well.
• Stir in vanilla and salt.
• Mix in milk, a little at a time, until you get a spreadable consistency.
• If you want colors, split icing into bowls and use gel food coloring.

3.  Coloring Your Cupcakes 🖍️

What You’ll Need:

• Food-safe paintbrushes or fine piping tips
• Black edible marker or black gel for outlines
• Assorted gel food colors
• Wax paper

Instructions:

• Set the cooled cupcakes on the wax paper for an easy-clean surface to work on.
• Smooth a layer of white icing on each cupcake for a blank “page.”
• Use the marker or black gel to draw simple outlines—flowers, shapes, stars, hearts, or anything from your favourite coloring book.
• Fill in the sections using colored icing, piping bags, or paintbrushes dipped in diluted gel colors.
• Let the icing set for about 20 minutes before serving.

4. Tips for Decorating 🍬

• Test your edible marker on a spare cupcake or parchment before using.
• Gel colors give a bright look—just a dab goes a long way.
• Kids can help decorate, too—set out bowls of colored icing and let everyone design their own.

Grab your piping bags, brushes, and food colors—those finishing touches pull the whole coloring book look together. Check out these handy decorating tools below to bring these cupcakes to life at your own kitchen table. Each one helps make the process smoother and way more enjoyable.