Rainbow Nerds Cupcakes
One thing I have learned about being a short female in society is that people are generally not very intimidated by me.
Also, they call me “honey” and “sweetie” and nicknames like that a lot, which I really don’t mind so much. It makes me feel all loved and mothered.
But the bad thing about not being intimidating is that people approach me a lot. To ask for directions (worst idea EVER, people…I’m the one who has physically reenact the route so I can figure out right from left), to ask me where the grocery store keeps the Velveeta…I am a walking encylopedia helper person.
And truly, I don’t mind helping people. Mostly, it’s men that are between the ages of like 17-55 that I wish would be a little afraid of me. I guess I’ve watched too many episodes of Dateline and 48 Hour Mystery, because if you are a man who isn’t related to me and you are between those ages, I assume you are probably a kidnapper/murderer person. And the whole time you are talking to me, I am busy figuring out an escape route, trying to make eye contact with someone who looks stronger than you, and inconspicuously pulling out a few of my hairs and dropping them on the floor.
DNA always wins, duh.
So strong is my fear of being approached by strange men, that I hesitate to do things like eat alone. The other day I was at the mall and found myself craving a cinnamon sugar pretzel. No big deal, except for that those things are so darn messy, there is no respectable way to eat one on the go.
Obviously, this would require sitting down.
At the mall.
Where there are lots of people walking by.
Torn between my love of cinnamon-sugar and my fear of being approached by strange men, I called my husband to weigh the pros and cons.
And you know, I almost wish I hadn’t called my husband because it was so confusing. You’d think that he would be GLAD that I was trying to be safe and avoid strange men, but he spent the whole conversation half-listening and then trying to convince me that it isn’t possible to sharpen a knife and eat a cinnamon- sugar pretzel at the same time.
Which I beg to differ.
Not only is it probably possible, but it would guarantee my safety. Um yeah…pretty sure women with sharp knives don’t ever get stolen. Especially if they are scowling while they sharpen said knife.
So instead, I sat and ate my cinnamon sugar pretzel while smiling and looking all short and vulnerable and child-like. Not scary at all.
It’s a miracle I’m still alive, really.
So I guess the point of all this is to tell you that these cupcakes almost didn’t get made. But thankfully, I made it out of the Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Incident alive (no thanks to you, HUSBAND), and here they are.
Which is a good thing because OMG how have any of us lived without Rainbow Nerd Cupcakes in our life?
These need to happen for you. It’s like sugar and color and all the good happy things of the land baked into a cupcake liner.
I flavored part of the batter with instant grape Kool-Aid (the kind with sugar in it) and swirled it in. You could totally skip this step, but I thought it added a fun twist. I also flavored the frosting three different flavors, but if you don’t have the time or inclination, just triple the amount of one of the Kool-Aids and flavor the whole batch.
(click here for printable recipe)
INGREDIENTS
- White cake mix, (or your favorite white cake recipe) plus ingredients to prepare
- 4 Tablespoons instant grape (sweetened) Kool-Aid mix
- 1 cup of rainbow Nerds
Preheat oven to 350. Line 24 muffin tins with liners.
Prepare cake batter as directed on box or recipe. Set aside 1 cup of batter and mix in the grape Kool-Aid Mix. Mix the cup of Nerds in the white batter. Spoon white batter into liners, filling about 1/2 full or a little less. Top with a spoonful of grape batter and swirl with a sharp knife. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched.
Remove to a cooling rack and let sit until completely cool.
Frosting:
- 4 sticks of butter, softened
- 7 cups powdered sugar
- 4 Tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons lemon extract
- 2 Tablespoons each of instant grape, orange, and fruit punch Kool-Aid (or 6 Tablespoons of one)
- Red, orange, and purple gel color
- Additional Nerds for garnish
In the bowl of a mixer, beat butter, milk and lemon extract on medium speed until smooth. Add powdered sugar and beat on low until just combined. Increase speed to medium high and beat for two minutes, until light and fluffy.
Divide frosting into three bowls and add 2 Tablespoons of Kool-Aid powder to each. Add corresponding coloring to each until desired color is reached. Frost or pipe onto cupcakes using a large open star tip. Garnish wish additional Nerds.
If you buy 2 large $1 boxes of Rainbow Nerds, you will have plenty for this recipe.
I hope you enjoy!! Have a wonderful Monday!!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I realize you could be doing more important things with your time. Like watching the news or washing socks. I hope you stay awhile. Much more fun than socks, I promise. 
Wow… colorful and fun! My knda cupcake!
Emily@SoDomesticated recently posted..Easy Tuna Casserole…
*kinda* cupcake…ooops, I hate when I have a typo!
Emily@SoDomesticated recently posted..Easy Tuna Casserole…
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! You’re back! These look so sugary good!
First of all, that sounds like exactly the conversation I would have with my Fiance on the phone. I am way over paranoid too (or just the right amount of paranoid? I mean, I am, like yourself, still alive).
I can’t tell you how many times my friends, family, and neighbors have seen me running so they pull up to talk to me through their windows and I leap over mailboxes and shrubs to get away from what I think is an abductor! haha
Sarah @TheExPatBride recently posted..Project Honeymoon: Day 3
These are adorable! And your story definitely made me laugh. I’m not so paranoid about myself but when it comes to my daughter . . . EVERYONE is a suspect. :)
FUN FUN FUN!!! Love these.
I am under the firm belief that if you look mad or agitated that people won’t come up to you…add a knife into the mix and you’re pretty safe.
shelly (cookies and cups) recently posted..Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Cake Batter Buttercream
Oh how fun! So colorful, fun, and takes me back in time…I loved snacking on nerds candy as a kid! Happy to find your blog on Facebook, your blog is just beautiful:-) Take care, Terra
How cool is it that you used Kool Aid?! And I’m glad you survived by the way. I’m 5 feet tall. Do people always hug you? People hug me bc I am little and I feel weird about it sometimes lol
Katrina @ In Katrina’s Kitchen recently posted..Let’s Celebrate with a Little Giveaway!
Oh my gosh! I have the same problem with people approaching me to ask for directions, money, etc, etc, etc… I keep asking my daughter “Do I look like a nice person??” But you’ve given me the answer… I’m not intimidating! My daughter says it’s because I look gullible…
as ALWAYS i love your stories just as much as i love your recipes! this one really made me laugh because i could see myself doing the same thing (really, while on a job interview, i got one of those “feelings” about my possibly new boss, and i purposely left my cell phone on, and in my hand, “just in case” something “happened”, and if it did, i would drop the phone so my boss couldn’t see it and then csi would be able to “ping” the phone to find out where i was, i have also left messages on my own voice mail telling whoever would listen the last place i was, along with any kind of strange license plates numbers…….and WAY BACK WHEN, when i would go on dates, i would actually ask my date for their drivers license and i would keep it in my pocket until it was over – if something happened to me, i figured that they would forget about the license and they would immediately know who did it once i was found- i finally had to get over this one because those were usually the last date that i would have with that guy).
so, thank you, again, for this post!!!!
I have a friend who is absolutely nuts over nerds. She will LOVE these Awesome recipe!
Alida recently posted..Alida’s Weekly Recap – 8/14-8/20
my youngest turns 3 next month and I am totally doing this for his birthday party. I’ve gone to cupcakes instead of a big cake for parties so that it’s easier since you don’t have to have a knife and forks and such. Thanks for the recipe and idea
So glad you didn’t get abducted! And these cupcakes are just so fun!!
Glory/ Glorious Treats recently posted..Wedding Shower Lingerie Cookies
So, my kids are telling me if I was a good mom or loved them they too would be eating delicious colorful, fun nerd cupcakes like in the picture! Poor deprived children, probably going to cry themselves to sleep tonight! LoL
I’m so glad you’re safe and sound! Next time call me, there’s strength in numbers. And we could split a pretzel.
Amy | She Wears Many Hats recently posted..Simple Rib-Eyes
You make me laugh every single time :) I’m 5′ tall and am known for doing the side mouth whisper to my kids ,”Don’t make eye contact” as we walk through the mall.
WOW! These are so colorful, my son would LOVE them. {err, and I have a thing for nerds, they are impossibly addictive!}
Robyn | Add a Pinch recently posted..Slow Cooker Beef Ziti Recipe
Kristan, You always make me laugh, but I think you are getting even funnier!!! Such fun cupcakes! I made confetti cookies today that are sort of similar. Have a great week and stay safe!
Sue recently posted..Peanut Butter~Oatmeal~Chocolate Chip Cookies
these look oh so awesome! I can’t believe i never thought of nerd in cake before. i am jealous of how your mind works. and don’t feel bad about the route enenacting thing cause I have to do it too. :)
mis-cakes recently posted..What They Don’t Tell You
I’m with you. I hate when strange men ask me for directions or come up to me. Once I accidentally screamed! I should carry around these cupcakes to hand off to weirdos and run away. Wouldn’t that confuse them?!
Katrina recently posted..Baked Sweet Potato Fries
These are so colorful and cute!!! I definitely needed a rainbow to get me going this morning. Nerds can never hurt either!!! I just love the ideas all the talented bakers like you come up with.
I call it “Sweet Inspiration.” ?
Tara @ The Butter Dish recently posted..A Scone To Call Her Own
I think strange men might be approaching you because you are cute. :)
AND, I think kiddo would be crazy for these cupcakes!
bridget {bake at 350} recently posted..You choose . . .
Nice recipe!! I love these nerds, my favourites are the grape’s ones, so colorfull and tasty. Thanku for your recipe.
Oh yes know how this is like.
People never tend to take me serious when I am angry (which is almost never), you know what they do? They smile. They just start to smile!!!
Its alright to think I am a sweetie, just like you mentioned, but to constantly get this smiley face a la: awww look at her, she is trying to be angryyyy… Is frustrating.
I have been a fan of Nerds since 1998 when I did this student exchange in Canada (Iam in Germany).
So this is awesome, love the colors too. Thanks for a wonderful post!
Blessings…
niner
niner // We Choose Organic recently posted..Colorful 3-Layer Cake
:O) I am glad you are still alive and able to bring colorful treats to share . I think next time you venture out you should wear a Karate uniform w/ a black belt on it and a headband Karate kid style….. The people will stay away from you for a few reasons… #1.) they will think you are a black belt in karate and will think you can unleash a can of whoop a$$ at any moment , #2) They might think you are crazy and no one wants to consciencely engage w/ said crazy person or #3.) you could be both crazy and a black belt in karate. Either way people will totally be intimidated and walk by you with their eyes looking at their shoes. Yo can sit happily at the mall smiling away eating your cinnamon pretzel in peace. :O)
Oh did I mention that I LOVE Nerds (the candy). I am so going to make these for my SIL birthday. granted it is in April but these are definitley on the to do list. :O0
If you can’t look mean….go for crazy, it works just as well.
You are SO creative! I would never have thought to put Nerds in cupcakes. Remember Nerds ropes? It was Nerds like glued onto a giant, jelly roll. Good times.
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite recently posted..Layered Oreo Cake Bars
It’s so true, isn’t it? Not only do I watch Dateline & 48 Hours, I now found a new cable channel that has lovelies like Wicked Women and I’mma Mob Mamma, or something. So now not only am I wondering about every man between 17 & 55, the women are starting to give me the heebie-jeebies too.
But not enough to stop me from getting a soft pretzel. And yes, I would have to sit because I need to dip it into that lovely epicurean creation known as Cheese Sauce. (my mouth is watering at the thought).
ColleenwithMurals&More recently posted..Be Different, Act Normal
I love NERDS. Nerds + Cupcakes! yes!!
oh and I agree, I hate when strangers try to start a conversation with me or ask me questions lol
Angie @ Bigbearswife recently posted..Peanut Butter Truffle Cheesecake
OMG is right! They look terrific, but your cinnamon-sugar incident was SO hysterical, I read it to my husband who was laughing the whole time!
Ann recently posted..Disney’s Hollywood Studios
I am soooo excited about these cupcakes!! This is the perfect snack for the first day of school! My son LOVES mixing his nerds with food :) his latest was putting nerds in his jello. THANKS – You truely are AWESOME!
These cupcakes look so yummy. And I have a tendancy (sp?) to be drawn to multi colored colorful things so I think Im going to steal the pic and link it back to here. Just because I want to stare at it on my blog. :)
P.s. You are so funny, your stories always put a smile on my face. :)
Randie recently posted..Vegas Trip
hahahahaha!!! I am laughing so hard at your post! I am the same way…lol. I totally do the whole “while your talking to me I’m plotting my escape plan thing”…lol…funny stuff and YUMMY cupcakes! I have 3 little nerd’s at my house that will go crazy over these…oh actually 4 if you count my husband ;)
Candy
I love Nerds (the candy AND the people). This looks awesome, I never would’ve thought to use them in cupcakes. But I guess that’s why you have this blog and I don’t! :D
Oh…my…GOODNESS! Those cupcakes look SO great! And your story definitely made me laugh (as usual) :)
Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist’s Kitchen recently posted..Kunafa, Konafah, Kanafeh
OMG, I do not remember the last time I had nerds. These could be the most fun cupcakes ever!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet recently posted..Best Dessert Ever
My brother has a shirt that says I am a cannibal and a box of Needs beside it…lol, and always remember {I’m sure JD has already informed you of this} that little people have WAY better ninja skils than beastly bulking ones. If not, its always perfectly reasonable to carry mace and a tazer :-)
sweetsugarbelle recently posted..Chocolate Peanut Butter Creme Cookies for Mikey
These are too cute. Where do you come up with such cute and inventive ideas? I will have to make these for my little cookie monsters!
Giselle recently posted..Pokie Knot flower cookies. . . .with ladybugs
Just pick your nose while eating your pretzel. Problem solved. :) Cupcakes lookin’ GOOD and well…colorful. :)
Nikki @Pennies on a Platter recently posted..The Simplest Tomato Sauce
I have the opposite problem. Being a 5’11 female means that most be are intimidated by me. I go out of my way to be approachable so I don’t seem intimidating.
you rock! thanks for doing what you do….apparently i had been taking you for granted because i was just assuming you’d always be here when i needed a laugh or a recipe. sorry. please forgive me! :)
These look delicious! I’m so glad you’re back, this is my go-to baking site :)
I have posted a few of my baking results, and am planning to keep going with new recipes and desserts! Please check it out, it would mean so much !
Thanks,
Sarah :)
I know my boys would love these! thank you for sharing :)
These are so much fun! I just have to try them out! Do the nerds actually stay crunchy inside I wonder? I would think they would get more chewy than anything else…We shall see..thank you for posting!
Wow – these cupcakes are gorgeous! Love the nerds, the layers of frosting, all of it! I can tell you as a 5 foot 1 inch tall woman, I can totally relate! Hubby thinks I am paranoid!
These cupcakes are so bright and fun! Plus I love Nerds so I’m sure I’d be pretty much addicted to these.
looks good!! i will try the recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Facebook me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My life is complete. My favorite candy in a cupcake form is pure heaven! Thank you so much I cannot wait to try these!
[...] knew I had to make something special for her 21st birthday, so I decided on these Rainbow Nerds Cupcakes from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen. After all, what’s more grown up than Kool-Aid and nerds [...]
I love these recipes, but I can never get my frosting to hold shape. They kind of puddle. Is there a secret to getting the swirls to stay? I’ve tried this one and the Chocolate Cherry Coke Cupcakes.
This is awesome! If I were a little kid I’d be so excited to have these in my party. Heck, I’m almost thirty and I’m excited to just be looking at this! These would be great for children’s parties, or even fun
[...] confessionsofacookbookqueen.com via Laura on [...]
These are cute but I’m on my second batch and it seems the nerds are melting and leaving a gloopy mess on the bottom of the cupcakes. How can I stop this from happening?
[...] I saw a recipe (and amazing photos) of Nerds cupcakes from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen, I knew I had to make them. Fast forward to a year or so [...]
I was wondering could we put a gusher inside the cupcake? I know it doesnt need anything else but I saw another blog about peanut butter eyeballs and it had a gusher inside of it and I would really like to do that with these. My question is should i put it in the cupcake before baking or should i do it after it bakes and cools and just cut a little hole in the top to put the gusher in?