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A clear, detailed image of an individual beach-themed cupcake.

Fun Beach Cupcakes Anyone Can Make!

These easy beach-themed cupcakes are perfect for summer parties! Made with classic vanilla cake, blue frosting, Peach Rings, and Teddy Grahams floating in candy sunshine.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Baking Time 16 minutes
Total Time 46 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 cupcakes

Ingredients
  

For the cupcakes

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 ½ cup flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

For the frosting & decorations

  • 4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 - 3 tbsp milk
  • Turquoise or any shade of blue food coloring, or blue spirulina powder
  • ½ cup pulverized Teddy Grahams plain/honey, for the sand
  • 12 - 16 whole Teddy Grahams to go on top of each cupcake
  • 8 - 10 Peach Rings
  • Air Heads rainbow candy
  • Umbrella toothpicks to decorate

Instructions
 

  • Prep the oven & pans.
    Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. Set aside. Add another piece of parchment to a counter top or baking sheet as your working area to assemble the Teddy Grahams.
  • Make the cupcake batter.
    In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and creamy.
    Add in the eggs, vanilla, and milk. Mix until well combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
    In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on low to start, then increasing to medium for about a minute until the batter is smooth.
  • Fill and bake.
    Spoon the batter into the lined cupcake cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
    Bake for 14–16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
    Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
  • Make the frosting.
    In a clean mixing bowl, beat together half the powdered sugar with the softened butter, vanilla, and salt.
    Add in the remaining powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and a few drops of blue food coloring or 3 T of blue spirulina powder.
    Beat on medium-high speed for 2–3 minutes until fluffy and smooth. Add more milk or food coloring as needed to get the right consistency and shade.
  • Create edible sand.
    Place about half of your Teddy Grahams (use any broken ones) into a food processor. Pulse until they resemble fine crumbs. Set aside.
  • Build the beach scenes.
    Cut the rainbow candy into small rectangles—these are your “beach towels.” Lay one Teddy Graham on each candy towel to make sunbathers. Place a whole Teddy Graham into the center of each Peach Ring to make little gummy floaties.
  • Assemble the cupcakes.
    Spread a layer of blue frosting on each cupcake using an offset spatula or a butter knife.
    For half the cupcakes:
    Gently press a Peach Ring with Teddy Graham “floater” into the center.
    For the other half:
    Sprinkle Teddy Graham crumbs over half of the frosting to look like sand. Place the towel-and-Teddy combo on the “sand.” Add a mini umbrella toothpick to complete the beachy look.

Notes

Tips for making these cute Beach Cupcakes
  • Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Let them come to room temp before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!