I got some gorgeous flowers from Pike Place market this week. The bouquet was full of sunflowers and dahlias, and they were so stunning they made me want to bake something just as pretty! Cue this post on how to make sunflower cupcakes!!

While they might look difficult to make, they’re easier than you’d think.

They key to make these sunflower cupcakes is a leaf frosting tip. It’s the type that looks like it has a v cut out of the middle of it, and lots of different brands make this type of tip.

I like to use a Wilton 352, but any brand of leaf frosting tip will work.

How to Make these Adorable Sunflower Cupcakes

Let’s walk through each step that goes into decorating these adorable sunflower cupcakes! I’ve also included a video tutorial below.

Step 1: Make the Chocolate Cupcakes

The first step is to bake these delicious chocolate cupcakes. They need cool completely to room temperature before you can frost them, so I like the to make them first.

Step 2: Make the Yellow Vanilla and Chocolate Buttercream

As I wait for my cupcakes to cool, I usually make my buttercream.

We use my American buttercream as a base, and split it up to make both a vanilla buttercream that’s colored a golden yellow shade and chocolate buttercream.

Be sure to use gel food coloring to get a vibrant shade of yellow!

Liquid food coloring doesn’t give it quite as bright of a shade, and if you add too much it can throw off the consistency of the frosting.

Step #3: Pipe the Center of the Sunflower

Use the chocolate buttercream to pipe a 1-inch dollop on top of each cupcake.

Gently dunk the cupcakes into the finely chopped chocolate until the frosting is covered with little bits of chocolate.

Step 4: Pipe on the Sunflower Petals

Pipe two rings of yellow buttercream petals around the chocolate center. Try to make each petal similar in length and width for a consistent look.

If you don’t feel super comfortable piping, I recommend piping a few practice petals on a plate or piece of parchment paper. A little practice goes a long way!

It will also help you get the orientation of the piping tip right.

Make sure that the v of the piping tip is facing the side like in the photos below. You shouldn’t be able to see it from an overhead angle.

Repeat with remaining cupcakes then enjoy!

These cupcakes taste best fresh, but frosted cupcakes can sit out at room temperature overnight in an airtight container or be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Substitutions and Swaps in these Sunflower Cupcakes

While I love this recipe just the way it is, I know some of you might not have all these ingredients on hand!

Below are some swaps and substitutions that can be made in this recipe:

• Instant Espresso or Coffee – You can omit the instant espresso if you dislike the taste of coffee, but it just enhances the chocolate flavor in this these cupcakes. You can also use strong coffee in place of the hot water and instant espresso.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Dutch processed or dark cocoa powder will work in this recipe too.
• Melted Chocolate – Any type of chocolate will work to make the cupcake batter and frosting. You can use milk, semi-sweet, or dark. You can also use chopped up chocolate, or chocolate chips.
• All Purpose Flour – This recipe turns out best with AP flour, but you can use a gluten free flour blend or cake flour if that’s all you have on hand.
• Vegetable Oil – You can use any flavorless oil in this recipe. Canola or sunflower oil would work great!
• Vinegar – This recipe needs a bit of vinegar because it uses baking soda as a leavening agent. The vinegar activates the baking soda and helps the cupcakes rise. You can use white or apple cider vinegar.
• Unsalted Butter – You can use salted butter in place of the unsalted butter in this recipe if needed. Just be sure to omit the salt that this frosting recipe calls for. You can also use vegan butter in its place!
• Heavy Cream – Whole milk or alternative milk (soy, almond, oat) will work in this frosting if that’s what you have on hand.

Tips for Making the Best Sunflower Cupcakes:

• Ingredients at room temp mix together better. Set the cold ingredients ahead of time.
• Properly measure your flour (spoon into the cup measure, then level) or use a kitchen scale to measure your dry ingredients.
• Mix your cupcake batter just until the ingredients are incorporated. This will ensure your cupcakes are tender and fluffy.
• Use a cookie scoop to easily fill your cupcake liners. It also makes sure your cupcakes end up being the same height.
• Bang your cupcake pan on the counter before putting it in the oven. This brings any air bubbles that are trapped in the batter to the surface.
• Seal off the top of each of your piping bags with a rubber band to prevent any frosting from seeping out the top of the bag and make the piping bags easier to use.
• This recipe makes an American buttercream frosting, so it will crust as it sits out and is exposed to air! Be sure to either cover the frosting with plastic wrap if it’s made in advance, or immediately place it into your piping bags.
• If you don’t feel super comfortable piping, I recommend piping a few practice petals on a plate or piece of parchment paper. A little practice goes a long way!

Making these Sunflower Cupcakes in Advance & Storage Tips:

Make your cupcakes in advance! If stored unfrosted in an airtight container, they can last for 2 days at room temp, up to a week in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Make your frosting ahead of time too or save any leftover frosting! Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month or the freezer for 3 months. Be sure to give it a good stir once it thaws to get the consistency nice and smooth again.

Frosted cupcakes can sit at room temperature overnight or in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. However, I find frosting them right before serving is best.

Let Me Know What You Think!

If you make these sunflower cupcakes, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a rating below.

Also tag me @chelsweets and use the #chelsweets so that I can see your amazing creations on social media!

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