Inspired by our Children’s Birthday Cake Book, we’ve made a mini version of the iconic Swimming Pool cake. Whether for a summer pool party or as the star of a dessert table, these sweet swimming pool cupcakes are a fun and nostalgic treat.
To make these swimming pool cupcakes, you’ll need 12 cupcakes. We used this basic and easy vanilla cupcakes recipe, but have included tips for using packet mix or storebought uniced cupcakes below.
Ingredients
Method
Make jelly according to directions on packet; pour into a shallow container. Refrigerate until set.
CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM Meanwhile, beat butter until white as possible, gradually beat in half the sifted icing sugar then milk, then remaining icing sugar. Add cocoa and beat until smooth and combined.
Level the top of the cupcakes with a serrated knife
Remove 6 cupcakes from wrappers and place them upside down on a chopping board. Using a small, serrated knife, cut the top and bottom off the cupcakes leaving approximately a 4cm-high piece of cake.
Using a small round cutter or small knife, cut a small hole out of the centre of the cupcake piece to form a ring for the pool. Discard cake offcuts.
Spread Chocolate Buttercream over the top of the 6 cupcakes in wrappers.
Carefully place the cake rings on top and spread Chocolate Buttercream around the edges and top of the ring (not inside the hollowed out area).
Cut chocolate finger biscuits in half and then trim to fit the height of the pool. Position biscuits around the edge of the cupcake ring.
Push dolls through the jelly rings, to make children in rubber floats.
Mash set jelly with a fork, spoon into the centre of the cupcakes to represent water; position dolls and umbrella in jelly “water”.
Cupcakes by Cakes by Nadia French of Chaos and Couture Cakes.
Test Kitchen tips for making swimming pool cupcakes
Instead of making cupcakes from scratch you can use a 470g vanilla packet cake mix. If you’re short on time use uniced store bought cupcakes.
How long will these cupcakes keep?
Undecorated cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container for 2 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Decorated cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
