These St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes are bursting with color and charm. Topped with fluffy green frosting, a candy rainbow, and a golden treat, they bring the spirit of the holiday to life in the sweetest way. Perfect for parties, classroom celebrations, or a fun baking project at home, these Pot of Gold cupcakes are as eye-catching as they are delicious.
I love making special treats any time of year, but it’s even more fun when there’s a holiday or theme to highlight. There’s just something about festive colors and creative decorations that make desserts feel extra special. Even though I’m not Irish, I never miss the chance to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a little baking magic. It’s the perfect excuse to break out the green, gold, and rainbow candy and turn simple sweets into something whimsical and fun.
These St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes are a great example of how a few small touches can transform a classic dessert into a holiday showstopper. A swirl of green frosting, a candy rainbow, and a gold-wrapped chocolate treat on top bring plenty of charm—plus, who wouldn’t love a dessert that looks like a tiny Pot of Gold Cupcake? Whether you’re making them for a party or just for fun, they’re sure to bring a little extra luck and a lot of smiles and will be the perfect ending to your St. Patrick's Day feast!
Ingredients
- White Cake Mix – Choose your favorite brand for a light and fluffy cupcake base. Make sure to grab the eggs, oil, and any other ingredients listed on the box.
- Vanilla Frosting – Use pre-made green frosting for convenience, or mix white frosting with a few drops of green food coloring until you get the perfect shade.
- Airheads Xtremes Candy – These rainbow strips add a fun and colorful touch. Cut them in half so they fit neatly on top of each cupcake.
- Rolo Candies – These little chocolates wrapped in gold foil make the perfect “pot of gold.” Keep them wrapped for the best visual effect.
- Mini Marshmallows – Place two on each side of the rainbow to look like fluffy clouds. Fresh marshmallows work best since they hold their shape.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the white cake mix according to the package directions with necessary ingredients (eggs, oil, etc). Fill cupcake tins ¾ full.
- Step 2: Bake as directed. Cool the cupcakes for at least one hour before decortating.
- Step 3: Spread or pipe the green frosting on each cupcake then cut the rainbow candy in half and fold in the shape of a rainbow. Place on top of each cupcake.
- Step 4: Add two mini marshmallows onto each end of the rainbow. Place a wrapped Rolo candy in front of the rainbow on each cupcake. Enjoy!
Hint: Cut the Airhead Xtreams into smaller sections so they fit on the cupcakes well.
Substitutions/ Variations
- Cake Flavor – Swap white cake mix for vanilla, yellow, or even chocolate for a fun twist. Add green food coloring for green cupcakes for an extra festive touch!
- Frosting - Use cream cheese frosting for a tangy flavor.
- Gold Candy – If you don’t have Rolos, use gold-wrapped peanut butter cups, gold sprinkles, chocolate coins, or even yellow M&M’s to represent the “pot of gold.”
- Rainbow Candy – Substitute any rainbow candy such as rainbow gummy strips, sour belts, or you can pipe a rainbow with different colors of frosting.
Storage
Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
For longer storage, place them in a single layer in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days. Let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving to soften.
Top Tips
- Only fill the cupcake liners about ¾ full to prevent overflowing and ensure a nice, rounded top.
- Warm cupcakes will melt the frosting, so be patient and allow at least one hour for cooling.
- A star tip gives the frosting a pretty swirl, but you can also spread it with a knife for a homemade look.
- If the rainbow candy strips are too long, they might topple over. Trim them slightly so they stand up properly.
- Bake cupcakes a day in advance and store them unfrosted. Decorate right before serving for the freshest look.
FAQ
You can bake the cupcakes a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container. Frost and decorate them closer to serving time for the freshest look.
Mix a few drops of green food coloring into white frosting until you get the shade you want. Start with a little and add more as needed.
Related
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RECIPE
Pot of Gold St Patrick's Day Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 13-14 oz package white cake mix, plus all necessary ingredients
- 1 16 oz can Green Vanilla Frosting or use white with green food coloring
- 1 package Airheads Xtremes candy
- 12 Rolo candies individually wrapped
- 48 mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Prepare the white cake mix according to the package directions with necessary ingredients (eggs, oil, etc). Fill cupcake tins ¾ full.
- Bake as directed. Cool the cupcakes for at least one hour before decortating.
- Spread or pipe the green frosting on each cupcake then cut the rainbow candy in half and fold in the shape of a rainbow. Place on top of each cupcake.
- Add two mini marshmallows onto each end of the rainbow. Place a wrapped Rolo candy in front of the rainbow on each cupcake. Enjoy!
Notes
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