If you are going to be using dark or nonstick baking pans, lower the temperature to 325°F (162. 78°C). How much water, oil, and eggs you will need will depend on what brand of cake mix you are using. If you lost the box, try finding the instructions on the company website; they often will have them posted there. Plan on using about 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water, ½ cup (120 milliliters) of oil, and 2 to 3 eggs.

If you want to fill the wells with batter directly, you will need to wipe them down using a paper towel soaked with vegetable or canola oil first.

A box of cake mix will be enough to make 24 to 30 regular-sized cupcakes. It will make even more mini-sized cupcakes, but fewer of the jumbo-sized ones. Cover and refrigerate any leftover batter. When you are done baking the first batch, let the pan cool for 15 minutes, then fill it with the rest of the batter. You may need to bake this new batch 1 to 2 minutes longer than the first one. [1] X Research source

Regular-sized cupcakes will need 15 to 20 minutes. Mini cupcakes will need 10 to 15 minutes. Jumbo cupcakes will need 20 to 30 minutes.

To make your frosting colored, add a few drops of liquid food coloring, and give it a quick stir with a fork or whisk. To make the cupcakes more interesting, dip them into a bowl filled with chopped walnuts, colored sugar, or sprinkles. [3] X Research source Mix and match the frosting. Try chocolate frosting on white cupcakes, and white frosting on chocolate cupcakes.

To make colored buttercream, stir in a few drops of food coloring. You can use a spatula to spread the buttercream on, or an icing bag to pipe it on. If you want to create a swirling effect with more than one color, just stack the colored buttercreams on a piece of cling film and roll it, sandwiching them before applying.

To make colored icing, add 2 to 3 drops of liquid food coloring. To make the icing flavored, use 2 to 3 tablespoons of orange juice or lemon juice instead of water. For a hint of chocolaty flavor, add 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder into the icing sugar before you add the water. Add some sprinkles or a Maraschino cherry for a burst of color.

A Maraschino cherry is a classic topping atop white icing. Sprinkles, colored sugar, sugar strands are great for swirled on buttercream frosting. Flower-shaped sugar/candy are dainty, and perfect for spring or girlish cupcakes. Chopped walnuts are great for chocolate frosting.

If it is near Saint Patrick’s Day, try using green icing. You can also use white frosting and add some green sprinkles instead. If the cupcakes are for a baby shower, use pink frosting if it is a girl, and blue frosting if it is a boy. If it is around spring, try using white icing and flower-shaped sprinkles. If it is around winter, try using blue icing and snowflake-shaped sprinkles.

If it is near Valentine’s Day, try finding some liners with hearts on them. You can also use pink or red lines. If your cupcakes have a Halloween theme to them, consider using some matching Halloween-themed liners. You can also use orange or black ones. If the cupcakes are for a birthday party, try finding some liners that say “Happy Birthday” on them, or have balloons and streamers printed on them. You can also use liners that match the colors of the party. If it is around spring, try using liners with flowers on them. If it is around winter, try using liners with snowflakes on them.

Red-velvet is great when paired with cream cheese frosting. Yellow is great when paired with chocolate frosting. Birthday or Funfetti cake mixes are a basic white or yellow cake, but with sprinkles.

Consider matching the color to the upcoming holiday. For example, if it is February, you can make the cupcakes red or pink in honor of Valentine’s Day. If it is March, you can make them green in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day.

You can use more sprinkles if you want.

If you are adding chocolate pudding, consider adding some instant coffee as well. This will help intensify the chocolate flavor.