These Easy Star Wars Cupcakes are sure to impress at any Star Wars party! Learn how easy it is to make R2D2 cupcakes and Darth Vader cupcakes in this simple and easy-to-follow recipe.
In a galaxy not so far, far away, where the Force is strong in you, young baker, is the ability to make beautiful cupcakes. Cupcakes that will bring together both the light side of the Force and the dark side.
Do you have Star Wars fans at home? From epic battles to memorable characters, the Star Wars saga has left an indelible mark on pop culture. So why not bring the intergalactic adventure to your taste buds with Star Wars-themed cupcakes?
When my kids were little, I threw a lot of themed birthday parties. One was an elaborate Star Wars party for my son's 6th birthday. It was SO fun to put together! And, throwing a Star Wars birthday party doesn't have to cost a lot or be complicated.
In this post, I'm sharing two EASY and tasty creations that will transport you to a galaxy filled with scrumptious delights: R2-D2 cupcakes and dark side Darth Vader cupcakes.
These Star Wars Cupcakes are super easy to make!
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🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
These cupcakes are so fun and easy to make -- and versatile! They are perfect for special occasions like Star Wars Day (that's May 4th in case you didn't know!). But also great for any day afternoon snacks!
🛒 Ingredient notes
These Star Wars cupcakes start with a base of fluffy vanilla and chocolate cupcakes. You can make them from scratch if you like. To save time, for this recipe we're using your favorite boxed vanilla cake mix and a box of Devil's Food cake mix.
- Boxed cake mix - You'll need one box of vanilla or white cake mix to make the R2D2 cupcakes. Then you'll need one box of Devil's Food cake mix or chocolate cake mix for the Darth Vader cupcakes. Depending on which cake mix you get, you'll also likely need some eggs, water, and vegetable oil. Be sure to read the directions on your boxed cake mix carefully to ensure you've got everything you need.
- Vanilla frosting - You can use store-bought frosting, but honestly I prefer homemade vanilla buttercream frosting. It's super easy to make, and I find that it pipes a lot better as a decorative frosting than the weird consistency of store-bought frosting.
- Food coloring - You can use liquid food coloring, but I highly recommend using gel food coloring. Gel food coloring doesn't add liquid or thin out the frosting as liquid food coloring can.
- Decorative additions - Gather up some white and blue sprinkles for the R2D2 cupcakes and red and black sprinkles for the Darth Vader Cupcakes.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
- Make the Devil's Food cupcakes according to the package directions. Then clean out the cupcake tins and dry them before placing new cupcake liners in them for the batch of vanilla cupcakes.
2. Make the vanilla cupcakes according to the package directions.
Allow both sets of cupcakes to cool on a wire rack. While they are cooling, make the frosting.
3. Make a double batch of vanilla buttercream frosting, or use your favorite store-bought frosting. Divide the frosting into four equal portions in separate bowls.
4. Leave one bowl of frosting as is. Then add blue food coloring to one bowl of frosting, red food coloring to the second bowl of frosting, and black food coloring to the remaining bowl of frosting. Swirl the food coloring with the frosting in each bowl until all of the vanilla buttercream has been turned to a different color.
5. To create the "galaxy" swirl frosting effect: Add each of the different colored frostings to their own piping bag, then cut off the tip. Place a sheet of saran wrap on the counter. Then pipe one row of red frosting onto the center of the plastic wrap. Right next to it, pipe one row of the black frosting. Repeat so you have four rows of frosting. Wrap up the piped frosting into a log, then cut off one end and twist up the other, longer plastic wrap end as you would a regular piping bag. Place the plastic wrapped log into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe frosting onto each cupcake as desired.
Then repeat the same process with the white and blue frosting for the R2-D2 cupcakes.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
You can scoop the frosting into ziplock bags, seal and twist the resealable end, then snip off the end of one corner to pipe the frosting.
Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Store unfrosted cupcakes and the frosting separately in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, then allow both to come to room temperature when you are ready to pipe the frosting and serve.
🧁 More Star Wars cupcake ideas
Want to make different Star Wars cupcakes? It's easy to make a themed cupcake for your favorite Star Wars characters!
- Use white and orange frosting for BB8 cupcakes.
- Use white and brown frosting for Princess Leia cupcakes or Chewbacca cupcakes
- White and black frosting would be great for storm trooper cupcakes.
- Green and white frosting would be fun for Yoda cupcakes.
- You can add cupcake toppers to the top of cupcake for added theme fun.
🌟 Star Wars themed party ideas
If you're throwing a Star Wars themed birthday party, here are some fun and creative ideas to take your party menu to the next level.
- Yoda Soda - Make Shamrock Shakes for green drinks to fit the Yoda theme.
- Light Saber Pretzel Sticks - lightly dip a pretzel stick into melted green or white chocolate wafers, then repeat to create a bowl full of tasty light sabers.
- Obi-Won Tons - These Air Fryer Crab Rangoons are a fun appetizer that could fit the bill.
- Wookie Cookies - Make these Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies or Chewy Chocolate Fudge Cookies for Chewbacca-themed treats.
🎉 A great recipe to fit any holiday
You can use this same recipe but different food coloring to fit almost any holiday or party theme! Some fun party ideas:
- Valentine's Day - Use white, pink, and red swirled frosting with vanilla cupcakes.
- Easter - Use pastel pink, green, and purple swirled frosting with Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes.
- Christmas - Use red and green colored frosting with red velvet cupcakes.
- New Year's Eve - Use white, gold, and silver swirled frosting with vanilla cupcakes or Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes and glittery star sprinkles.
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Star Wars Cupcakes
Equipment
Instructions
- Make the vanilla cake mix and the Devil's Food cake mix according to package directions. Divide and pour the vanilla cake batter into 2 12-cup muffin tins, then divide and pour the Devil's Food cake batter into 2 other 12-cup muffin tins. You can also work in batches.
- While the cupcakes are baking, make the Vanilla Buttercream frosting. Divide the frosting equally into four bowls. Leave one bowl plain white, add blue food coloring to one bowl, red food coloring to another, and black food coloring to the final fourth bowl. Stir each separately until you no longer see white frosting.
- When the cupcakes are done baking, allow them to cool completely before frosting. While they are cooling, prep the frosting to pipe as swirls.
Create the swirled frosting effect
- Place a section of plastic wrap about 12" x 12" onto your kitchen counter or other flat surface.
- Scoop each of the colored frostings into their own piping bag, and cut off a small circle at the end tip of each bag.
- In the center of the prepared plastic wrap, pipe a row of white frosting, then a row of blue frosting immediately next to it, and repeat. So you'll have a row of white, row of blue, second row of white, and second row of blue.
- Roll the plastic wrap up and around to create a log, then cut off one end and twist up the plastic wrap on the other end. Carefully place the log into a new piping bag that's fitted with a large star tip. Gently press from the top of the bag to pipe the swirled frosting onto the vanilla cupcakes.
- Repeat this process with a new sheet of plastic wrap and the red and black frosting. Pipe the swirled red and black frosting onto the Devil's Food cupcakes.
- Decorate with color coordinated sprinkles for each if you like.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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