If you’re looking to brighten up your dessert table or put some pure joy into your baking routine, the M&M Cupcakes Recipe is about to become your new favorite treat. These cupcakes are delightfully soft, bursting with candy-coated chocolate, and topped with a creamy, buttery frosting that’s just begging to be showered with even more M&Ms. Whether you’re baking with kids, surprising friends, or just craving a playful spin on classic cupcakes, this recipe promises colorful fun and irresistible flavor in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this M&M Cupcakes Recipe is chosen to create the perfect cupcake: tender, rich, and packed with personality. Simple staples like flour and butter team up with bursts of chocolate candy, making each component essential for that iconic taste and festive look.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cupcake, providing structure while keeping the crumb light and soft.
- Baking powder: Adds lift for fluffy cupcakes that aren’t dense or heavy.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the sugar.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Gives richness and that classic buttery flavor—make sure it’s room temperature for the smoothest batter and frosting.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens everything up and helps create a tender crumb.
- Large eggs: Bind the batter together and add moisture for a soft, luscious bite.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the cupcakes and frosting with warmth and depth—don’t skip it!
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a silky, cohesive batter.
- Sour cream: The secret to ultra-moist cupcakes—try Greek yogurt for a lighter twist if you prefer.
- M&M candies: The star of the show! Fold these in for vibrant color and bursts of chocolate in every bite; save some for topping too.
- Powdered sugar (for frosting): Blends into the creamiest, fluffiest topping imaginable.
- Additional milk (for frosting): Gets your frosting to the perfect spreadable consistency.
- Extra M&M candies (for decorating): Scatter these on top for that eye-catching, playful finish.
How to Make M&M Cupcakes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 12-cup muffin pan with your favorite cupcake liners. This simple step makes sure your cupcakes bake evenly and pop right out when they’re done—plus, colorful liners add even more personality!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This not only combines everything evenly but also helps prevent lumps. Proper mixing here sets your cupcakes up for a perfectly tender crumb.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Now, in a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This can take 2-3 minutes, and it’s key to creating a cupcake that’s soft and airy. Don’t rush—it’s worth it!
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then pour in that luscious vanilla extract, letting the aroma set the stage for your cupcakes’ flavor profile.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Alternate adding the whisked dry ingredients and milk to your butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry. This technique keeps your batter smooth, preventing overmixing and resulting in the softest cupcakes possible.
Step 6: Fold in Sour Cream and M&Ms
Gently fold in the sour cream to add an extra dose of moisture, then carefully stir in the M&M candies. Be gentle to avoid crushing the candies, so you get those pretty, colorful spots throughout every cupcake.
Step 7: Fill and Bake
Divide the batter evenly among your lined muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting—trust me, patience pays off here.
Step 8: Make the Frosting
For the ultimate finish, beat the softened butter until creamy and then gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. The frosting should be smooth, fluffy, and easily spreadable. If it’s too stiff, add a splash more milk; if it’s too thin, a little more powdered sugar does the trick.
Step 9: Frost and Decorate
Once your cupcakes are cool, generously frost each one and decorate with extra M&M candies. This final flourish is what makes the M&M Cupcakes Recipe so visually irresistible and fun to eat.
How to Serve M&M Cupcakes Recipe
Garnishes
The best garnish is a generous handful of extra M&M candies sprinkled over the frosted tops—let your creativity shine! For a party-ready look, try a mix of mini and regular M&Ms, or add a dusting of colored sprinkles to match your celebration’s theme.
Side Dishes
Pair these cupcakes with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of creamy hot cocoa for the ultimate nostalgic treat. If you’re serving a dessert spread, a fruit salad or platter of fresh berries balances out the sweetness and adds a refreshing touch.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or holidays, arrange the cupcakes on a tiered stand and let guests pick their favorite color combo. You can even spell out names or numbers with the M&Ms on top. For a super-cute twist, bake the cupcakes in themed liners and wrap each one in clear cellophane with a ribbon for adorable party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store your M&M Cupcakes Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The cupcakes stay moist and the candies retain their crunch, keeping every bite as delightful as the first.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? Unfrosted cupcakes freeze beautifully. Place cooled cupcakes in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready, just thaw overnight in the fridge and frost fresh for a just-baked taste.
Reheating
To enjoy that “fresh from the oven” feel, pop an unfrosted cupcake in the microwave for a few seconds until just warmed. If your cupcakes are already frosted, let them come to room temperature naturally—this keeps the frosting intact and the texture perfect.
FAQs
Can I use mini M&Ms instead of regular?
Absolutely! Mini M&Ms work wonderfully in this M&M Cupcakes Recipe and actually distribute even more chocolatey goodness throughout each cupcake. They’re especially fun if you want a more colorful, confetti-like look.
What’s the secret to super-moist cupcakes?
The magical ingredient here is sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version). It adds moisture and richness without thinning the batter, ensuring each cupcake stays soft and tender long after baking.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free baking blend. Just make sure it’s a 1:1 substitute and contains xanthan gum for best results. The M&M Cupcakes Recipe is adaptable for everyone to enjoy.
How do I prevent the M&Ms from sinking to the bottom?
A quick trick: toss your M&Ms in a little bit of flour before folding them into the batter. This helps suspend them throughout the cupcakes so every bite has a pop of color and chocolate.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! The M&M Cupcakes Recipe doubles beautifully. Just use two muffin pans and rotate them halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. You’ll have a whole batch of party-ready treats in no time.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to bake up a burst of color, fun, and chocolatey goodness, you can’t go wrong with this M&M Cupcakes Recipe. Whether it’s for a celebration or simply to brighten an ordinary day, these cupcakes are sure to bring smiles. So grab your apron and a bag of M&Ms—delicious memories await!
Print
M&M Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these colorful and fun M&M Cupcakes, perfect for any celebration or a sweet treat. Soft and moist vanilla cupcakes are studded with M&M candies inside and topped with creamy vanilla frosting and extra M&Ms for a playful crunch. This easy-to-make recipe offers a festive twist on classic cupcakes, bringing a burst of color and chocolatey bites in every forkful.
Ingredients
Cupcake Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup M&M candies (plus extra for topping)
Frosting Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Additional M&M candies for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners to ensure easy removal and cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning throughout the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to create a tender cupcake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to incorporate them fully and then add the vanilla extract to infuse the batter with rich flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and the milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. This helps the batter stay smooth and airy.
- Fold in Sour Cream and M&Ms: Gently fold in the sour cream for moisture and tenderness, along with 1 cup of M&M candies to add colorful spots and chocolatey bites throughout the cupcakes.
- Fill Muffin Cups and Bake: Divide the cupcake batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cupcakes: Remove cupcakes from oven and let them cool completely in the pan before removing and frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
- Make Frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
- Frost and Decorate: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cupcakes and top each with additional M&M candies for a festive finishing touch.
Notes
- Use room-temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth, well-blended batter for softer cupcakes.
- Substitute Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to create a lighter version of the cupcakes while maintaining moisture.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
