Easy Mushroom Cupcake Party Dessert

With the new Super Mario movie coming out, I thought I would create a cute mushroom cupcake. Cupcakes make parties go smoother and this is an easy cupcake decorating technique anyone can do without fancy piping tips.

I’ll share the cupcake recipe, an easy buttercream frosting recipe, and the steps on how to create a rounded mound to look like a mushroom. And you don’t have to stick with red or white – match your theme or pick your favorite frosting color!

Close up horizontal image of six red and white mushroom cupcakes on a wood cutout with bark placed on concrete.
These red and white mushroom cupcakes are easy to make and will WOW everyone.

RELATED READING: Easy Mushroom House Craft for Kids

How to Frost a Cupcake Into a Mushroom

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I’m serious about cupcakes. I have one of the most popular cupcake recipes on the Internet, share tons of recipes, designs, and even how to make cake box mix cupcakes to save time measuring.

I have an AMAZING easy buttercream frosting (that could become your go-to buttercream recipe) but I usually only share the piping tips I use, but not the technique. That changes today because these are easy and so much fun.

I made the cutest little Amanita muscaria cupcakes without fondant and thought they would be the PERFECT Super Mario party dessert. They’ll also work well if you’re setting up a woodland party or even a forest animal birthday party.

RELATED READING: Clay Pot Mushroom Craft for All Ages

Please Save or Share This Cupcake

If you’re in the gathering ideas” phase of party planning or you want to keep this as an option, use the sharing buttons. Share it to your Facebook profile or save it to a party pin board – either way will make this easy to find when you’re ready to begin.

Vertical close up image of red and white mushroom cupcakes placed on a wood round on concrete background.
Everyone will go wild for these woodland style cupcakes.

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Supplies You Will Need

This frosting technique is simple and doesn’t require you to tons of fancy gadgets or even a piping tip to your name. A few items to make this easy cupcake decorating idea happen are:

  • offset spatula – If you don’t have one, use a butterknife (turn the ridged edge up) to really form the edge of the cupcake.
  • ice cream scoop – Use a 1/2 cup measuring cup if you don’t have a scoop, but a lot of frosting is needed to get the center of the cupcake high.
  • piping or pastry bag for accents – A zip-top plastic bag will work with a TINY bit of one corner cut off (the opposite side of the zipper).
  • hot water in a cup which fits the spatula or knife vertically
  • clean kitchen towel or paper towel
Square close up image of red and white Amanita Muscaria mushroom cupcakes on wood rouond.
Serve up these adorable easy vanilla cupcakes on a wood plank from the craft store for a rustic look.

The Best Buttercream Recipe for This Method

You can use most any frosting for this method, however, it needs to be able to hold a small peak. A very creamy frosting might not hold its shape, so stay away from anything that doesn’t hold a peak when lifted from the bowl. You can use cream cheese frosting if it holds a slight peak.

For a sturdy frosting designed for structure AND taste, try this easy buttercream frosting recipe. I’ve had to whip out the recipe and share it with so many people that I finally just put it into a post here on the site. It’s SO good and it holds every piping technique well.

Vertical image of Wilton 2D piping tip example for frosting cupcakes.
The Wilton 2D flower tip is a fun way to add texture to a simple cupcake’s frosting.

Easy Cupcake Recipe (That Actually Tastes SO Good)

I’m not a baker – not like a “real” baker (and if you got the ‘cool mom’ reference from Mean Girls, we’re now best friends). I went to Business school for an MBA, not culinary school. So I had to make about 1,000 cupcake recipes until I found one that is now a screaming hit.

I will link this delicious and easy vanilla cupcake recipe here in case you need it. That said, this technique works with store-bought cupcakes. Scrape the frosting off, whip up a new batch of buttercream, and start from there.

Vertical image close up of vanilla cupcakes in blue liner on marble background with text which reads A Lazy Girl's Easy Vanilla Cupcake Recipe.
Create the most delicious and simple cupcakes as a base.

Party Ideas and Themes for This Cute Mushroom Cupcake Idea

This girl doesn’t need an excuse to make cupcakes – you’re like me and can make a party out of anything, I thought I would share a few ideas where these adorable cupcakes can be used.

Yield: 6 cupcakes

Mushroom Cupcake Decorating

Square close up image of red and white Amanita Muscaria mushroom cupcakes on wood rouond.

The infamous Amanita muscaria gets a chance to shine with this easy mushroom cupcake decorating tutorial. Learn how to create circles or organic shapes and create a mushroom mound with delicious buttercream frosting. Included are recipes for easy vanilla cupcakes and the best buttercream frosting. These mushroom cupcakes are perfect for a Super Mario party, a Spring fete, or a woodland forest party dessert idea.

Prep Time 45 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Bake up a batch of my Internet-famous easy vanilla cupcake recipe and let them cool completely. You can even make them a day ahead (they keep very well).
  2. Remove 1/4 cup of buttercream and set aside or put into a piping bag. Color the remaining buttercream with 3-5 drops of super red and mix until incorporated.
  3. Use the ice cream scoop to set 1/2 cup of buttercream on each cupcake.
  4. Warm the offset spatula in a cup of hot water and dry it on a kitchen or paper towel.
  5. Quickly use the spatula to create a mound of buttercream into a mushroom shape, starting from the top and pushing the excess to the bottom edge of the frosting. Remove the excess frosting.
  6. To completely smooth the cupcake, use gloves (or clean hands) and press your hand onto the mound to smooth it out.
  7. Repeat this process (warming the spatula) until you are happy with the shape. And repeat for all of the cupcakes.
  8. Use the piping bag to create circles or organic shapes to complete the fly agaric / Amanita muscaria mushroom look.

Notes

Use a gel food colorant for the most vibrant (and least taste-affecting) color.

An ice cream scoop is the perfect tool for this project, however, if you don't have one, add 1/2 cup of frosting to EACH cupcake and try to make a mound.

Remember to remove the moisture from the offset spatula before placing it onto the cupcake.

To easily create shapes without error, use a toothpick to lightly draw on circles or organic shapes (like kidney beans).

Recommended Products

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 192Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 36mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 0gSugar: 25gProtein: 1g

All nutrition information is estimated. For accuracy, please calculate your exact brands and ingredients if accuracy is desired.

Did you make this yummy recipe?

Please leave a comment or share a photo and tag me @rufflesandrain

Please Save or Share This Fun Party Cupcake Idea

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Vertical split image of red and white mushroom cupcakes on wood round.
Make these tasty dessert mushrooms with the easiest cupcake decorating technique ever.

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