Star Shaped Cupcake Tutorial

Looking to make some treats that are out of this world? Ready to add a sprinkle of magic to your baking repertoire? Get ready to blast off on a baking adventure with a tutorial that’s as fun as it is delicious – Star Shaped Cupcakes! These Star Shaped Cupcakes are perfect for a Two The Moon birthday party theme for your little astronaut. They’re also great for Star Wars parties, 1st trip around the sun birthdays or an outer space-themed dessert table. 

I made these cupcakes for a second birthday party that was themed with moons, stars and rocket ship party decorations. They fit right in with the stars and moon theme and were also so much fun to make as well as eat. 

If you love little stars and unique designs for desserts, you should also check out these Star-Shaped Rice Krispie Treats next.

Ingredient Notes

We’re dealing with dairy and egg allergies in my household, so the cupcakes I made for this recipe are very allergy-friendly. You can use a box cake mix, your favorite cupcake recipe with real eggs and butter in it, or follow along with the ingredients I chose for my cupcake base here!

Flour: 

No cake flour necessary. Sift regular flour for this recipe to remove any clumps and enjoy a fluffier texture.

Oil:

I used sunflower oil but you can use any kind of light tasting vegetable oil – like canola oil. Stay away from olive oil for this recipe, the taste is too strong.

Baking Soda: 

Baking soda has a stronger flavor than baking powder, so use it sparingly. Measure carefully to get the right amount. This is what creates ‘lift’ in your cupcakes since they contain no egg. 

Vinegar: 

I used white vinegar for this recipe. You can also try it with apple cider vinegar. Just like the baking soda, measure this ingredient carefully a little bit goes a long way. Surprisingly, the taste of vinegar isn’t noticeable in the final product. If you’re worried about it

Vanilla: 

I used pure vanilla extract. Use the good stuff for a better taste.  Don’t go with artificial vanilla extract, it won’t taste the same.

Sugar:

I used plain white granulated sugar. You can use a mixture of brown sugar and white sugar to experiment with flavor and texture if you prefer. 

Salt: 

A pinch of table salt helps bring out the flavors and balance the taste.

Water: 

This is where most cupcake recipes use milk, but for a dairy-free version water works just fine. You can also use your favorite dairy-free milk as a substitute for this ingredient.

How to make star-shaped cupcakes

Step 1: Prep

Gather your ingredients, your muffin tin, cupcake liners and tinfoil. 

You’ll need to make 5 small tinfoil pegs for each cupcake you’d like to bake. This recipe makes 12 vegan cupcakes, so I made 60 small tinfoil cylinders. 

Step 2: Make Cupcake Batter

If you’re using a box cake mix, skip this step and follow your instructions on the box. 

To make dairy-free, egg-free cupcake batter, sift together your dry ingredients. 

Then make three wells in your dry ingredients and add oil in one well, vinegar in the second well and vanilla in the third well. Then pour one cup of water over the top and mix together until fully incorporated.

Step 3: Fill Cupcake Liners

Fill your cupcake liners ¾ full with cupcake batter. Put your tinfoil pegs around the outside of your cupcake liner so they prop it into the rough shape of a star. 

As your cupcakes bake, the tinfoil pegs stay in place between the muffin tin and cupcake liners and the cupcake bakes in the shape of a star. 

Step 4: Bake Star Cupcakes

Put your cupcakes in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until they are fully cooked.

If you over bake your cupcakes, they will get tough and chewy.

Step 5: Make Frosting

To accommodate household allergies, I made my frosting using 1 cup of vegan margarine, thawed to room temperature, 5 cups of powdered sugar, a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of vanilla. 

Use a stand mixer or hand mixer until your frosting is whipped smooth and light. Then add one or two drops of yellow food coloring. 

Step 6: Decorate Star Cupcakes

Once your cupcakes have fully cooled to room temperature, you can decorate them with frosting and sprinkles. 

It’s easier to get the pointed tip of the stars by using a palette knife. These are tools that are used for painting and also for cake decorating. If you don’t have a palette knife, you can order a cheap one online, find one at your local craft store or use a small knife or small cake decorating spatula to get a similar effect. 

Use the pointed part of the palette knife to create the tip of the star then drag it down towards the middle. Use the tool to smooth out the frosting then add sprinkles.

Step 7: Serve or Store

Enjoy your star shaped cupcakes right away or store them at room temperature, in an airtight container, for up to three days before they’ll start going stale. You can store them for about 5 days in the fridge, or freeze them to keep them longer.

Star Shaped Cupcake Alternative

If things aren’t working out for you and you’re not happy with your star shaped cupcake design, you can use a small open star piping tip to create a star shaped frosting design on the top of your cupcake. 

Follow these steps to make a star shape on your cupcake top and reference my photos below! Start by piping the tops of your star tips. Next, fill in a line back towards the center of the cupcake. Then add dots of icing to fill in the rest of your star shape.

Tips for Making The Best Star Cupcakes

• Do NOT over-mix the batter if you want light, fluffy cupcakes.
• Use ingredients that are at room temperature.
• Do NOT open the oven door while baking.
• Always fill your cupcake liners about ⅔  or ¾ full.
• Baking time can vary from oven to oven, test your cupcakes to ensure they’re fully cooked.
• Allow your cupcakes to completely cool before frosting.

Final Thoughts on Star Cupcakes

Crafting star-shaped cupcakes isn’t just about creating delicious treats; it’s about adding a touch of magic to your baking. Once you’ve found the perfect theme, the little details at a party like a Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Baby Shower or a Two The Moon 2nd birthday party can make things so much fun.

Whether you’re having a great time celebrating a birthday under the stars for your little superstar, hosting a cosmic-themed party, or simply indulging in the art of baking, these star-shaped cupcakes are a reminder that a little imagination goes a long way.

As you enjoy the twinkling beauty of your star-shaped cupcakes at your big celebration, know that you’ve captured the essence of starlight in every delightful swirl. Share these treats with friends and family, who will be reminded that the most extraordinary things often come from the simplest ingredients – a dash of creativity, a sprinkle of joy, and a lot of love.

Star-Shaped Cupcakes

Learn how to make these twinkling star shaped cupcakes at home for a dessert table that will be totally out of this world!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

• bowls
• spoons
• Palette knife
• Spatula
• Cupcake pans
• cupcake liners
• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer

Ingredients

  

Cupcakes

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour if necessary
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/4 cup sunflower oil
• 11/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup water

Frosting

• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup vegan butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt
• sprinkles

Instructions

 

Step 1 Prep

• Gather your ingredients, your muffin tin, cupcake liners and tinfoil.
• You’ll need to make 5 small tinfoil pegs for each cupcake you’d like to bake. This recipe makes 12 vegan cupcakes, so I made 60 small tinfoil cylinders.

Step 2 Make Cupcake Batter

• If you’re using a box cake mix, skip this step and follow your instructions on the box.
• To make dairy-free, egg-free cupcake batter, sift together your dry ingredients.
• Then make three wells in your dry ingredients and add oil in one well, vinegar in the second well and vanilla in the third well. Then pour one cup of water over the top and mix together until fully incorporated.

Step 3 Fill Cupcake Liners

• Fill your cupcake liners ¾ full with cupcake batter. Put your tinfoil pegs around the outside of your cupcake liner so they prop it into the rough shape of a star.
• As your cupcakes bake, the tinfoil pegs stay in place between the muffin tin and cupcake liners and the cupcake bakes in the shape of a star.

Step 4 Bake Star Cupcakes

• Put your cupcakes in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until they are fully cooked.
• If you over bake your cupcakes, they will get tough and chewy.

Step 5 Make Frosting

• To accommodate household allergies, I made my frosting using 1 cup of vegan margarine, thawed to room temperature, 5 cups of powdered sugar, a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of vanilla.
• Use a stand mixer or hand mixer until your frosting is whipped smooth and light. Then add one or two drops of yellow food coloring.

Step 6 Decorate Star Cupcakes

• Once your cupcakes have fully cooled to room temperature, you can decorate them with frosting and sprinkles.
• It’s easier to get the pointed tip of the stars by using a palette knife. These are tools that are used for painting and also for cake decorating. If you don’t have a palette knife, you can order a cheap one online, find one at your local craft store or use a small knife or small cake decorating spatula to get a similar effect.
• Use the pointed part of the palette knife to create the tip of the star then drag it down towards the middle. Use the tool to smooth out the frosting then add sprinkles.

Step 7 Serve or Store

• Enjoy your star shaped cupcakes right away or store them at room temperature, in an airtight container, for up to three days before they’ll start going stale. You can store them for about 5 days in the fridge, or freeze them to keep them longer.

Keyword cupcakes, Star