Description

These Bite Me Baby Shark Cupcakes are the ultimate treat for Shark Week, beach parties, or ocean-themed birthdays! Featuring soft coconut-vanilla cake, ocean-blue swirled buttercream, whipped cream sea foam, and gummy shark toppers, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat. Kid-friendly, party-ready, and totally adorable!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cupcakes:

1 box white or vanilla cake mix

Eggs, oil, and water (as directed on box)

Blue food coloring (optional, for wave effect)

For the Coconut Buttercream:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

3–4 cups powdered sugar

2 tbsp coconut cream

1–2 tbsp heavy cream or milk (as needed for consistency)

Blue food coloring (light and dark blue for swirls)

Decorations:

Whipped cream (for topping waves)

Gummy sharks

Candy starfish or white chocolate seashells

Edible glitter or sanding sugar (optional)

Ocean-themed cupcake liners

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Instructions

Prep the Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with ocean-themed liners. Prepare cake mix according to package instructions. Add a few drops of blue food coloring to the batter for a sea-blue hue. Divide evenly among liners and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Make the Coconut Buttercream:
In a large bowl, beat softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in coconut cream and a splash of milk or cream to reach a smooth consistency. Divide frosting into 2–3 bowls and tint each with a different shade of blue.

Create the Swirl:
Spoon each color of frosting side-by-side into a piping bag to create a beautiful swirl. Use your favorite star tip and pipe a wave-like swirl onto each cupcake.

Decorate:
Top each cupcake with a dollop of whipped cream to mimic sea foam. Add a gummy shark, candy starfish, and a sprinkle of glitter or sanding sugar. Done!

Notes

Coconut cream tip: Make sure to use full-fat coconut cream for a rich, tropical flavor.

Blue swirl hack: Gel food coloring gives brighter hues and won’t water down your frosting.

Decoration ideas: No gummy sharks? Use mermaid tails, edible seashells, or even ocean-colored sprinkles.

Make ahead: Bake the cupcakes a day in advance, but frost and decorate just before serving for best presentation.

Storage: Store frosted cupcakes in the fridge (especially if using whipped cream), or freeze unfrosted cupcakes up to 1 month.