Go Back
Mark Anthony

Summer Beach Party Cupcakes

These Summer Beach Party Cupcakes are the ultimate warm-weather dessert! With fluffy vanilla cake, blue buttercream "waves," and crushed graham cracker "sand," each bite brings sunshine to the table. Perfect for birthdays, cookouts, and poolside celebrations, they’re easy to make and always a hit.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Decorating 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 pieces
Course: Dessert
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box vanilla or white cake mix or homemade vanilla cupcake batter
  • Eggs oil, and water as directed on box
  • 1 cup unsalted butter for frosting
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 –2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Blue gel food coloring
  • Crushed graham crackers for sand effect
  • Mini umbrellas gummy rings, or candy beach toppers

Method
 

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tray with paper liners.
  2. Make the Batter: Prepare the cake mix as directed on the box. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full.
  3. Bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  4. Make the Frosting: Beat butter until fluffy. Slowly mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Tint with blue gel coloring.
  5. Frost the Cupcakes: Pipe or spread blue frosting onto each cooled cupcake.
  6. Decorate: Sprinkle crushed graham crackers on half of each cupcake to resemble sand. Add gummy rings, umbrellas, or other beachy candy decorations.

Notes

Summer Beach Party Cupcakes – Helpful Tips

Cooking Tips & Techniques
Use your favorite vanilla, lemon, or coconut cupcake base—light and fluffy flavors pair best with tropical decorations.
Allow cupcakes to cool completely before decorating to prevent frosting from melting.
Tint buttercream with gel food coloring for vibrant, beachy hues like aqua blue, sunny yellow, or coral pink.
Crush graham crackers or vanilla wafers to mimic “sand” and sprinkle over frosting for beach texture.
Top with mini umbrellas, candy seashells, gummy rings, or white chocolate starfish for playful flair.
Serving Suggestions
Serve on a tray lined with brown sugar “sand” and blue tissue “waves” for an extra fun display.
Pair with fruit kabobs, beach punch, or tropical lemonade for a themed party menu.
Perfect for pool parties, birthdays, beach BBQs, or summer gatherings.
Use name flags or themed picks to label different cupcake flavors.
Add sparkler candles or gold sugar pearls for a festive touch.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Make-Ahead: Bake cupcakes up to 2 days ahead and store unfrosted in an airtight container. Decorate the day of the party.
Refrigerator: Store decorated cupcakes in the fridge if it’s hot outside—bring to room temp before serving.
Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 1 month. Thaw and decorate fresh.
Reheat: Not needed—these are best served cool or at room temperature.
Tasty Variations to Try
Piña Colada Cupcakes: Add crushed pineapple and coconut extract to the batter.
Citrus Burst: Mix lemon or orange zest into the frosting for a bright, summery zing.
Chocolate Beach: Use chocolate cupcakes with “sand” and sea salt caramel frosting for a sweet-salty combo.
Blue Raspberry Wave: Add blue raspberry flavoring and swirl two-toned buttercream for a wave effect.
Mini Cupcake Option: Make minis for easy party bites and let guests sample a few different flavors.