These Hot Air Balloon Cupcakes are adorable and, best of all, they are easy to make—the perfect treat for birthday parties and baby showers.

When it is time to celebrate a birthday, or special occasion, I am always looking for something fun and simple to make like these Minion Twinkie Cupcakes, Lorax cupcakes, or these easy-to-make basketball cupcakes.

I think these adorable balloon cupcakes have the qualities I’m looking for: they are simple and fun. They would look lovely lined up at a birthday party.

What is it about hot air balloons that makes them feel so magical? Whenever I see one flying in the sky, I feel just as excited as the kids do. I knew I had to create something inspired by a hot air balloon.

Ingredients for Hot Air Balloon Cupcakes

Pre-baked cupcakes in a brown liner – I found these basket we a ve cupcake liners on Amazon that I thought worked great for this idea
16 oz. of vanilla frosting
1 cup of powdered sugar
If you want to do a flame colored frosting, you’ll need food coloring – yellow and red

For Balloons

paper straws
small balloons – I found 5-inch balloons that I think work great for this balloon cupcake idea
clear tape

Equipment Needed

Piping bag with a star tip

How to Make Hot Air Balloon Cupcakes

To frost cupcakes with a flame colored frosting, divide the frosting into three bowls

Using yellow and red food coloring, color the frostings orange, one red, and one yellow

Spoon each color separately into a piping bag fitted with a star tip

Pipe the frosting onto cupcakes

I confess – my piping skills need improvement. I’m sure your piped fire will look so much better. 🙂

Cut paper straws in half

Push the two halves into the cupcake on opposite sides

Blow up balloons to the size you would like

Use tape to tape the balloons onto the straws

Pro-Tip

Don’t get a headache from blowing up balloons; use a balloon inflator pump

Variations

Frosting – I thought that adding a flame-colored frosting would best represent a hot air balloon, but you could use any color of frosting for the cupcake. I think a white frosted cupcake would be beautiful.

Replace the straws with lollipop sticks.

Add decorative stickers to the balloons to make colorful designs on them

What to Serve With

Storage

These cupcakes are best served the day of, but if you need to make them in advance, they can be stored covered at room temperature for a couple of days.

FAQs about cheesecloth

I like to add powdered sugar to my frosting to thicken it up.

Add sour cream, applesauce, or yogurt to the batter to make cupcakes moist.

Serving Size

This recipe will make 12 hot air balloon cupcakes