Gone Fishing Cupcakes
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Summer is the perfect time for a little extra family summer fun in the kitchen, and these Gone Fishing Cupcakes are such a cute way to do it. With just a few extra items, you can turn simple cupcakes into fun fishing-themed treats that are perfect for summer parties, birthdays, or an afternoon baking project with the kids.
I have included a recipe for easy vanilla cupcakes and vanilla buttercream frosting to use for these, but you can absolutely take the shortcut route and use a boxed cake mix with a tub of frosting if that works better for you. That said, I really do think homemade frosting is worth the extra step because the flavor is so much better. It gives the cupcakes a more delicious homemade taste and makes the finished treats feel even more special.
Summer is also such a great time to teach kids a few basic kitchen skills, and this recipe is a fun one to make together. From mixing the batter to decorating the cupcakes with the little fishing details, there are plenty of ways for kids to help. It turns baking into a creative activity, making these cupcakes even more fun to put together and serve from scratch as part of the teaching experience.
One important thing to keep in mind when decorating these cupcakes is the pretzel stick “fishing pole”. If it sits in the frosting too long, it will start to soften. For the best look and texture, it is best to add the pretzel sticks right before serving these fun cupcakes.
Ingredients for Gone Fishing Cupcakes
FLOUR – Flour is the base of the cupcakes and gives them their structure. It helps create the soft, tender crumb that makes the cupcakes easy to decorate and enjoy.
BAKING POWDER – Baking powder helps the cupcakes rise and gives them a light texture. It works along with the other leavening ingredients to keep the cupcakes from feeling too dense.
BAKING SODA – Baking soda also helps the cupcakes rise and works especially well with the buttermilk in the recipe. It helps create a soft and fluffy texture.
SALT – Salt helps balance the sweetness and brings out the flavor of the other ingredients. Even a small amount makes a big difference in the overall taste.
BUTTER – Butter adds richness and flavor to the cupcakes and frosting. It also helps create a soft texture and gives the frosting that classic buttery taste.
SUGAR – Sugar sweetens the cupcakes and helps keep them moist. It also helps give them a tender texture.
EGGS – Eggs help hold the cupcakes together and add structure. They also contribute moisture and richness to the batter.
VANILLA EXTRACT – Vanilla extract adds warm, sweet flavor to both the cupcakes and the frosting. It is a simple ingredient that makes everything taste more complete.
BUTTERMILK – Buttermilk adds moisture and helps make the cupcakes soft and tender. It also works with the baking soda to give the cupcakes a nice rise.
POWDERED SUGAR – Powdered sugar is used in the frosting to create a smooth, sweet texture. It helps make the buttercream thick enough for decorating the cupcakes.
MILK – Milk helps adjust the frosting’s consistency, making it smooth and easy to spread or pipe. Just a little can make the frosting much easier to work with.
BLUE FOOD COLORING – Blue food coloring gives the frosting that fun water-like look, which is perfect for the fishing theme. It helps bring the whole cupcake design to life.
MINI SWEDISH FISH – Mini Swedish Fish are the cute little “fish” on top of the cupcakes. They add a fun decorative touch that makes the cupcakes instantly look fishing-themed.
PRETZEL STICKS – Pretzel sticks are used to create the fishing poles on top of the cupcakes. They add a fun visual detail and a little crunch too.
CUPCAKE LINERS – Cupcake liners help keep the cupcakes from sticking to the pan and make them easier to serve. They also give the finished cupcakes a neat and polished look.
Instructions for Gone Fishing Cupcakes
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and lining a muffin pan with cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, then set the dry ingredients aside.
In a separate large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream the butter and sugar together for about 3 to 5 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for about 1 minute after each addition. Add the vanilla along with the last egg and mix until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and beat on low speed just until everything comes together. Pour in the buttermilk and mix on low speed for about 1 minute, then increase the speed to medium and beat for 3 more minutes. This helps create a smooth batter and gives the cupcakes a nice texture.
Divide the batter evenly between the lined muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting, beat the butter in a bowl with a hand mixer until it is light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, then mix until combined. Gradually add milk until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Set aside about 1/4 cup of the frosting to keep white, then tint the remaining frosting blue with food coloring. Frost each cooled cupcake with the blue frosting and save the white frosting for the fishing line detail.
Transfer the white frosting to a piping bag and pipe a squiggly fishing line across the top of each cupcake. Place a mini Swedish Fish at one end of the line and a pretzel stick at the other end to create the fishing pole. For the best texture, add the pretzel sticks just before serving so they stay crisp.
Pipe the white frosting in a squiggly line across each cupcake. Add a mini Swedish Fish to one end and a pretzel stick to the other end for the fishing pole. Add the pretzel sticks just before serving so they stay crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a boxed cake mix for these cupcakes?
Yes. If you want to save time, a boxed cake mix works great for this recipe. You can also use store-bought frosting, though homemade frosting will give the best flavor.
Do I have to make homemade frosting?
No. Store-bought frosting can work if you want a shortcut, but homemade buttercream usually tastes much better and is easier to color and decorate with.
What kind of food coloring should I use?
Blue gel food coloring works especially well because it gives bright color without thinning the frosting too much. Regular liquid food coloring can also work if that is what you have.
Can I decorate the cupcakes ahead of time?
You can frost the cupcakes ahead of time, but it is best to add the pretzel stick fishing poles right before serving so they stay crisp.
Why do the pretzel sticks need to be added later?
If the pretzel sticks sit in the frosting too long, they can soften from the moisture. Adding them just before serving helps keep them firm and crunchy.
Can kids help make these cupcakes?
Yes. This is a great recipe to make with kids, especially when it comes time to decorate. They can help frost the cupcakes and add the fish and fishing poles.
Can I use a different cupcake flavor?
Absolutely. Vanilla works great, but chocolate or even a boxed mix in another flavor would work too.
What can I use instead of Swedish Fish?
If you cannot find mini Swedish Fish, you could use another small fish-shaped candy or fish-shaped graham crackers that fit the theme.
Do I need a piping bag for the white frosting line?
A piping bag works best, but you could also use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off if needed.
How should I store the cupcakes?
Store the cupcakes covered at room temperature for a short time or in the refrigerator if needed, depending on your frosting. Just wait to add the pretzel sticks until serving time.
Can I make the cupcakes a day ahead?
Yes. You can bake and frost the cupcakes ahead of time, then add the finishing decorations right before serving.
Tip and Tricks
- Use gel food coloring. It gives the frosting a bright blue color without thinning it out.
- Cool the cupcakes completely first. This makes frosting and decorating much easier.
- Pipe the white frosting with a bag. A piping bag or a zip-top bag makes it easy to add the fishing line.
- Keep the frosting simple. A smooth layer of blue frosting works great and gives the cupcakes that water-like look.
- Let kids help decorate. This is a fun recipe for kids to help with, since they can place the Swedish Fish and pretzel fishing poles on top.
- Use mini Swedish Fish for the best look. The smaller size works especially well on cupcakes and keeps the decorations balanced.
- Add the pretzel sticks right before serving. That keeps them crisp instead of soft.
- Make the cupcakes ahead and decorate later. This makes the recipe easier and keeps the decorations looking their best.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
- Beach Party Cupcakes
- Patriotic Cupcakes made with a white cake mix
- Cupcakes with Strawberry Butterflies
- Strawberry Cupcakes
Gone Fishing Cupcakes
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 2 ¼ cup flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup butter room temperature
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 3 eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 ¼ cup buttermilk
Frosting:
- ¾ cup butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 4 or so Tbsp of milk
- blue food coloring
Decorations:
- 24 pretzel sticks
- 24 mini Swedish fish
Instructions
Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar together with a hand mixer for 3-5 minutes until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minute after each addition. Add vanilla in with the last egg.
- Add the dry to the wet ingredients. Beat on low speen just until combined.
- Add in the buttermilk. Beat on low speed for 1 minutes, then on medium for 3 minutes.
- Divide batter between lined muffin cups. Fill 3/4 full and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool before frosting.
Frosting:
- Beat butter in a bowl with a hand mixer until fluffy. Add in powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until combined. Gradually add milk to desired consistency, then color with blue food coloring.
Decorate:
- Pipe the white frosting in a squiggly line across each cupcake. Add a mini Swedish Fish to one end and a pretzel stick to the other end for the fishing pole. Add the pretzel sticks just before serving so they stay crisp.
