Corn on the Cob Cupcakes
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Corn on the Cob Cupcakes turn a simple box cake mix into a whimsical, backyard-cookout treat with zero special baking skills required. Rows of yellow and white M&M’s transform a frosted cupcake into a tiny ear of corn, complete with a skewer handle. These are an easy summer baking project to make with the kids, or just to surprise them with.
Want more summer treats? Try my Beach Cupcakes and my fun Cotton Candy Cupcakes. They make summer better.
Why this Corn on the Cob Cupcake Recipe is a Keeper
These cupcakes check every box for a fun, low-effort summer treat.
- 30-Minute Cupcakes: Just follow the directions on the box for the cupcake portion.
- Easy Ingredients: You only need three things: cake mix, frosting, and M&M’s.
- Family Friendly: Decorating these is genuinely fun to do together with kids.
- Adaptable: Easy to make low-carb, low-calorie, or dairy-free with simple swaps.
How Else Can I Decorate These Corn Cupcakes?
There’s a lot of room to get creative here. Try piping on little faces for the corn, or adding tiny straw hats to each cob.
A fun and festive paper liner also helps elevate the whole presentation. Let your imagination run with it.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“So cute and really tasty. Those sideways M&Ms are a genius decorating hack.”
~ Glenda
Ingredient Notes for Corn Cupcakes Recipe
A few ingredients in this corn on the cob cupcakes recipe are worth a closer look.
- Yellow Cake Mix: Any yellow cake mix works well here, prepared and baked according to the box directions.
- M&M Candies: Yellow, pastel yellow, and white M&M’s mimic real corn kernels when lined up in rows.
- Buttercream Frosting: A simple tub of prepared frosting keeps the focus on the decorating.
Variations and Substitutions for Fun Corny Cupcakes
This decorating idea is easy to adapt in a few fun ways.
➡️ Swap the Candy: Use fruit chews like starburst or lemon jelly beans in matching colors if you don’t have M&M’s on hand.
➡️ Make Mini Versions: Use a mini cupcake pan for cute, bite-sized corn cobs.
➡️ Add a Butter Pat: Shape a small piece of fondant or marshmallow into a butter pat for the top.
➡️ Build a Veggie Basket: Pair these with other vegetable-themed cupcakes for a full whimsical spread.
Special Equipment Needed for Summer Cupcakes
A few simple tools make the decorating step much easier.
- Cupcake Pan: A standard 12-cup pan works well for baking the base cupcakes. Shop Cupcake Pan
- Wooden Skewers or Corn holders: Used to join two cupcakes together and to give each corn cob a handle. Or use these cute corn on the cob holders.
- Piping Bag and Tip: Helpful for getting a smooth, even swirl of frosting before adding the M&M’s.
How to Make the Adorable Garden Cupcakes Recipe
Here’s a quick overview before you jump into the full recipe card below.
- Bake: Bake the cupcakes according to the box directions and cool completely.
- Frost: Pipe a smooth swirl of buttercream frosting onto each cupcake.
- Add the Kernels: Stand rows of M&M’s on edge around the frosting, alternating colors.
- Pair the Cupcakes: Join two cupcakes together to form one corn cob. Place on a platter.
- Add the Handle: Insert a skewer into the outside of the paired cupcakes.
Prep Ahead and Short Cut Tips for Corn Cob Cupcakes
A little advance prep makes this an easy project to finish with kids later.
➡️ Bake the Cupcakes Early: Bake them up to two days ahead and store unfrosted, well wrapped, at room temperature.
➡️ Sort the M&M’s First: Separate the yellow, pastel yellow, and white candies into bowls before you start decorating.
➡️ Let Kids Handle Decorating: Save the M&M placement step for the kids once the cupcakes are baked and frosted.
How Do You Get the Candy to Look like Corn on the Cob Kernels?
Stand the candies upright, arrange in tight rows across the frosted cupcake. Many recipes alternate white, yellow, and pastel yellow to mimic sweet corn varieties. Place a lemon starburst on top to look like a butter packet and sprinkle sugar crystals to mimic salt.
How to Store and Use Leftover Dessert
- Storing: Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the fridge if it’s especially hot.
- Using Leftovers: Leftover cupcakes are great on their own with a glass of milk or hot chocolate. Mix into smoothie bowls or use to top ice cream.
Expert Tips for Making This Cookout Dessert Recipe
➡️ Cool Completely First: I never frost a cupcake until it’s fully cool, or the M&M’s slide right out of place.
➡️ Work Row by Row: I place my M&M kernels one row at a time. Working around the cupcake so the pattern stays even.
➡️ Press Gently: I press each candy gently into the frosting so it holds in place without squishing the swirl underneath.
➡️Minis: working with 3 cupcakes side by side, secure the mini cupcakes with a skewer.
We Recommend You Try These
Summer Corn on the Cob Cupcakes
Equipment
- Wooden skewers
- Piping bag and tip
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces Yellow cake mix, prepared and baked per box directions
- 16 ounces Buttercream frosting
- M&M candies, yellow, pastel yellow, and white, as needed for decorating
Instructions
- Bake the cupcakes per the box directions. Cool the cupcakes completely.
- Pipe a smooth swirl of frosting onto each cupcake.
- Stand rows of M&M’s on their edges across the frosting, alternating white, yellow, and pastel yellow to mimic corn kernels.
- Pair two decorated cupcakes together to form one corn cob.
- Insert a wooden skewer into the outside edge of the paired cupcakes to form a handle.
Christina’s Notes
- Cool Before Frosting: Frosting a warm cupcake causes the M&M’s to slide out of place once placed.
- Stand the Candy on Its Edge: Lying the M&M’s flat won’t give you the corn-kernel texture this recipe is going for.
- Work in Rows: Placing candies row by row, rather than randomly, keeps the corn pattern looking neat.
- Secure the Skewer Well: Push the skewer through both cupcakes firmly so the paired cob holds together when picked up.
- Storage Tip: Store decorated cupcakes in an airtight container, refrigerating only if your kitchen runs warm.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
