Turtle Cupcakes
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These Turtle Cupcakes will put a smile on anyone’s face, from kids to adults. With a few simple ingredients like M&Ms and vanilla wafers, you can turn ordinary cupcakes into adorable turtle cupcakes that are perfect for a summertime treat, birthday party, or classroom treat.
There is something about these turtle cupcakes that is just so cute. Animal cupcakes like this crab cupcake, ladybug cupcake, and these Rudolph cupcakes are some of my favorite fun treats to make.
These turtle cupcakes are definitely among my favorites, especially because they are so easy to make. They’re a fantastic option for letting kids help in the kitchen, or even for them to create their own as a fun food craft.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Ingredients
- Cupcakes baked and cooled
- blue frosting
- mini vanilla wafers
- green M&Ms
- black edible marker
How to Make These Cute Turtle Cupcakes
Frost cupcakes with blue frosting.
Add a mini Vanilla wafer to the center of the cupcake
Add four M&Ms as feet to what would be the corners of the wafer
Draw two eyes on the back of an M&M and place it onto the cupcake as the head
Turn an M&M on its side and place it opposite the head as the turtle’s tail
Expert Tips
I had to go through a lot of mini wafers to find ones that weren’t broken. For eighteen cupcakes, you’ll probably open up every bag of your school snack packs.
Buy an extra-large bag of M&Ms so you can find enough green ones for the turtle cupcakes – OR – use a rainbow of colors to make colorful turtles.
Variations
Frosting: Use brown frosting for land turtles
Rainbow: Mix it up and make a variety of colorful turtles with rainbow colored M&Ms
What to Serve With
Beachy, Lake, or Pond Themes
Pretzel Rod Fishing Poles, Gone Fishing Cupcakes, Fishing Bobber Cupcakes, Beach Jell-O Cups, Oreo Cookie Frogs
Drinks
Root Beer Floats, Roy Rogers Drink, Shirley Temple Drink
FAQ’s
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Yes! Bake and frost the cupcakes. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two days before your big event. Because the cookie runs the risk of becoming mushy or stale, do not decorate until the day you plan to serve them.
Do I Need to Pipe the Frosting?
No, not at all! I simply spread the frosting onto my cupcakes.
Do I Have to Use M&Ms?
No! Although I think M&Ms are best, you can use Skittles, gumdrops, or any other round green candy for the turtle.
More Cupcakes You’ll Love
Printable Recipe
Turtle Cupcakes
Equipment
- 1 black edible food marker
Ingredients
- 18 cupcakes baked and cooled
- 16 oz. blue frosting
- 18 mini Vanilla wafers
- M&ms get a large bag, because you'll need several
Instructions
- Frost cupcakes with blue frosting.
- Add a mini Vanilla wafer to the center of the cupcake
- Add four M&Ms as feet to what would be the corners of the wafer
- Draw two eyes on the back of an M&M and place it onto the cupcake as the head
- Turn an M&M on its side and place it opposite the head as the turtle's tail
