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Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

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Sometimes it’s pretty cool to be a Rock Star Mom! I love it when the kids think what I make is cool, and let’s face it, those times are few and far between, especially with teenagers. These Glow in the Dark Cupcakes will put your kids {and adults} in awe of you, but Shhh…don’t tell them…they are really easy! 

HOW TO MAKE GLOW IN THE DARK CUPCAKES

These are perfect for your Halloween Party or even a fun family Halloween Dinner. Just remember, you will need a black light to see them glow. Black lights are available at most department stores, like Walmart, Target, Ace Hardware, etc. It’s best to buy the actual black light though, we tried the light bulb and it didn’t work as well.

GLOW IN THE DARK CUPCAKES

This cupcake shoot was a first for us, taking pictures at night has a whole new challenge. And let’s not mention that our neighbors think we are even crazier now. But it was totally worth it! I love how the cupcakes turned out.

How to Make Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

Without the dark of night and the help of a black light, the Glow in the Dark Cupcakes are actually green. Let me show you how to make them…

These Glow in the Dark Cupcakes and MUCH MORE in our Ultimate Halloween eBook!

Grab your copy for only $4.88! 

Glow in the Dark Cupcakes Directions

How to Make Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

First you will need to frost your cupcakes. The recipe is below, but essentially it’s frosting with Tonic Water added. I found that using a star tip for decorating was best. We also tried orange frosting, but the white turned out best. After the cupcakes are frosted, pop them into the freezer while you make the jello.

How to Make Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

And here is where most of the action happens…jello and tonic water!

How to Make Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

Mix lime jello with 1 cup boiling water and stir about 2 minutes until dissolved.

How to Make Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

Add 1 cup tonic water to the jello. You can find tonic water near the liquor in your grocery store.

How to Make Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

Now fill a large bowl with ice water and place the bowl of jello in. Continue to stir. You want the jello to cool down, but not begin to set up. When the jello is cool to the touch, remove it from the ice water.

How to Make Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

Now it’s time to dip the cupcakes. Remove a couple at a time from the fridge and dip into the jello. Place them back into the freezer for 5 minutes. Repeat this dipping – freezing process 6 times. Be sure to stir the jello each time and watch it so it doesn’t start setting up. If it does get thick, dipping 4 times will work as well, but 6 is better.

Keep cupcakes in fridge or freezer until you are ready to serve them. And store leftovers in the fridge as well. You should be able to make them a day or so ahead, although the ones I made I used the same day.

HOW TO MAKE GLOW IN THE DARK CUPCAKES

See…I told you it wasn’t difficult! Now you can be a Rock Star Mom too!  Looking for more Halloween Party Food?

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HOW TO MAKE GLOW IN THE DARK CUPCAKES

Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Your kids will think you are a Rock Star when you make their cupcakes Glow in the Dark. Recipe from HoosierHomemde.com.

Ingredients

Frosting

  • 1 cup Real Butter
  • 4 - 6 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 5 tablespoons tonic water
  • 1-2 tablespoons Vanilla

Glow in the Dark Dip

  • 1 small box lime jello
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup tonic water

Instructions

Frosting

  1. Beat butter until smooth, gradually add powdered sugar, alternate with tonic water
  2. Stir in vanilla
  3. Frosting should be stiff for these cupcakes

Glow in the Dark

  1. Mix jello and boiling water, stir 2 minutes until dissolved
  2. Add tonic water and stir
  3. Place in large bowl with ice water and stir until jello is cool to the touch
  4. Remove jello from ice bath
  5. Remove a couple cupcakes from the freezer at a time and dip in jello mixture
  6. Place back in freezer, repeat dipping and freezing process 4-6 times

Notes

Be sure to have your frosting stiff, not super stiff though, it will work better when dipping.

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77 Comments

  1. Do you make these same day or can you do it the day before? If you can do it the day before, do you have to keep them frozen or in the fridge?

    1. Hi Julie, I made the glow in the dark cupcakes the same day so I can not tell you for sure if you can do them the day before. I “think” they would be fine, but again, I did not test it.
      Happy Baking!
      ~Liz

  2. I love this idea and thinking about making glow frosting for my daughter’s birthday party next weekend. For those who have made it — how does it taste? Do you detect the bitterness of the tonic?

    1. Hi Kristin, the glow cupcakes are good, yes you can taste the tonic a bit, but not bad.
      Happy Baking!

  3. cupcakebaby93 says:

    Will it work with any color jello instead of just the lime??

    1. I haven’t tried it with any other flavors besides lime, so I can’t tell you for sure. Sorry.

    2. divinedivax says:

      Did you try with other flavors? Interested in knowing how much it glows! Doing a neon glow in the dark party for my daughter and other colors would be great! Please let me kno your experience!

      1. I would love to know how your glow-in-the-dark party turned out. That’s my plan for my twins in the next week.

  4. WHAT? Glow in the dark cupcakes?? You are a genius! I love this!!

    I would LOVE for you to link this up at my Ginger Jamboree Link Party!!

  5. Will it glow just in the dark without a black light?

  6. How much does the lime jello affect their taste/flavor?

    They LOOK super cool!

    1. You can taste it a bit, but it’s not overpowering. Depending on how many times you dip the cupcake, there isn’t a lot of jello that sticks.

  7. Those are the coolest cupcakes EVER!

  8. OMG! I have to make these. That is so cool! Thanks for sharing. It is brilliant!

  9. Where do you buy Glow in the Dark Dip?
    Thanks!

  10. Megan @ Megan's Munchies says:

    How Cool Are These!!! Love them!

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