Transport your taste buds to the far reaches of the cosmos with these stunning Galaxy Cupcakes! These otherworldly treats combine fluffy vanilla cupcakes with a mesmerizing swirl of blues, purples, and blacks, topped with shimmering edible stars and a cloud of cosmic buttercream. They’re not just desserts—they’re edible works of art that will have everyone at your table starstruck.
Perfect for space-themed birthday parties, stargazing nights, or simply when you want to add some interstellar magic to your dessert table, these Galaxy Cupcakes are surprisingly achievable for home bakers. The marbled effect might look complex, but I’ll guide you through creating this cosmic wonder step by step!
Why You’ll Love This
- Showstopping appearance with minimal specialized tools—just food coloring and a few simple techniques
- Customizable colors let you create your own unique cosmic vision
- Kid-friendly activity that doubles as a fun kitchen science project
- Make-ahead friendly—bake the cupcakes a day before and decorate when you’re ready
- Adaptable recipe that works with your favorite vanilla cupcake base or even chocolate for a different galaxy effect
Ingredients
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (430g)
- 1 1/2 cups caster sugar (265g)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (125ml)
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (375ml)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons blue food coloring (optional)
- 1 batch American buttercream or Swiss meringue buttercream
- Purple coloring: 2 drops deep pink food gel + 2 drops purple food gel
- Blue coloring: 2 drops sky blue food gel
- Pink coloring: 2 drops deep pink food gel
- Silver star sprinkles
- Edible glitter (optional)
- Any galaxy or space themed sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C) fan-forced or 356°F (180°C) conventional. Line cupcake tins with 20 cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low speed until well combined, or sift together if mixing by hand.
- In a large jug, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and blue food coloring (if using) until well combined.
- Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients while mixing on low speed. Once all wet ingredients are incorporated, stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and mix for another 20 seconds until smooth.
- Fill each cupcake liner about halfway with batter. Bake for 30 minutes until the tops look slightly shiny and bounce back when lightly touched. Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Once cooled, use a cupcake corer or small knife to remove the center of each cupcake. Fill the holes with star sprinkles for a surprise inside.
- Divide your prepared buttercream frosting into three separate bowls. Color one purple (using pink and purple gel), one blue, and one pink according to the color combinations in the ingredients list. Mix each thoroughly with a spatula.
- Fit a piping bag with a Wilton 6B tip and place it in a tall cup. Add 1 teaspoon of each colored frosting, alternating colors, until the bag is just over half full.
- Place each colored frosting in separate piping bags. Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap and pipe lines of each color side by side, leaving about an inch gap at the top and bottom. Roll the plastic wrap into a log, twist the ends, and snip off one end. Place this into a piping bag fitted with a Wilton 6B tip.
- Pipe a swirl of frosting on top of each cupcake, starting from the outside and working toward the center. Immediately sprinkle with edible glitter and silver star sprinkles before the frosting sets.
Tips & Variations
- Color intensity: For true galaxy colors, use gel food coloring rather than liquid for more vibrant hues without affecting the batter consistency.
- Frosting alternative: Try whipped cream for a lighter “nebula cloud” effect, but serve immediately or refrigerate.
- Chocolate version: Use a chocolate cupcake base and focus on blue and purple swirls with silver accents for a different cosmic look.
- Add edible glitter: Sprinkle a pinch of edible glitter into the batter for “stars” throughout the cupcake.
- Filling option: Core the cooled cupcakes and add a bright blue or purple filling for an extra surprise.
- Time-saver: Use a boxed white cake mix as your base if you’re short on time—the galaxy effect will still be stunning!
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Galaxy Cupcakes on a black platter or cake stand scattered with additional edible stars for maximum impact. For a complete cosmic dessert table, pair with blue or purple fruit punch “cosmic juice,” vanilla ice cream with galaxy sprinkles, or black chocolate-dipped strawberries.
These cupcakes make a perfect centerpiece for space-themed parties, science fairs, or movie nights featuring sci-fi classics. Consider adding dry ice (handled safely by adults) nearby for a misty, otherworldly effect when presenting them!
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- The galaxy effect looks best when colors are swirled minimally—too much mixing will create muddy colors.
- If pearl dust isn’t available, a light dusting of white sugar can create a similar sparkling effect.
- For best results, frost cupcakes the day you plan to serve them to maintain the vibrant colors.
FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the cupcakes up to a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Frost them a few hours before serving for the freshest appearance.
My colors turned muddy. What went wrong?
You likely swirled the batters too much. For distinct galaxy colors, limit swirling to just 2-3 gentle strokes with a toothpick.
Can I use regular sprinkles instead of edible stars?
Absolutely! While star-shaped sprinkles enhance the galaxy theme, any small sprinkles in silver, white, or complementary colors will work.
How can I make these dairy-free?
Substitute the butter with a plant-based butter alternative, use almond or oat milk instead of regular milk, and choose a dairy-free frosting recipe for equally stellar results.
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