These easy Minion Cupcakes transform Twinkies, candy eyes and blue frosting into the lovable Despicable Me characters. They are surprisingly simple to decorate, require no fondant and make an adorable dessert for a Minion birthday party, movie night or Halloween celebration.
My family has been HUGE into Minions for years. We watch every new movie, quote Gru constantly and still have Minion stuffed animals throughout our home, even though my boys are now teenagers.
They dressed as Minions for Halloween more than once, and I hosted so many Minion-themed birthday parties that I’ve lost count. I have a particular affinity for Bob because we both have two different-colored eyes!
Serve these with my Halloween Snack Mix for an easy, colorful party spread.
I originally created these Minion cupcakes for one of Elijah’s birthday parties, with him sitting beside me to make sure Dave, Jerry, Stuart, Kevin and Bob had the correct eyes, hair and height.
I expected decorating an entire Minion crowd to take forever, but all 20 Twinkie heads took approximately 40 to 45 minutes once my supplies were ready. They were a huge hit with the kids and adults, and you can even add a few purple Minions for a fun Halloween variation.
Why You’ll Love These Minion Cupcakes
- No fondant needed. Twinkies already have the perfect Minion shape, so candy eyes and black decorating gel do most of the work.
- Surprisingly easy to decorate. You do not need piping skills or cake-decorating experience to create an adorable batch.
- Every Minion can be different. Alternate one or two eyes, hairstyles and expressions to make your own Minion crowd.
- Perfect for celebrating. These Minion cupcakes are a fun dessert for birthday parties, movie nights and Halloween.
- Easy to customize. Make classic yellow Minions, add a few purple Minions or use store-bought cupcakes to save time.
Recipe Ingredients
- White cake mix – Prepare one box according to the package instructions to make 20 cupcakes. Vanilla or yellow cake mix will also work.
- White frosting – Use one 16-ounce container of prepared frosting, or make a batch of my Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. Reserve a few spoonfuls before tinting the remaining frosting blue if you plan to make purple Minions.
- Blue gel food coloring – Add as needed until the frosting resembles the bright blue of Minion overalls. I prefer gel food coloring because it creates a vibrant shade without thinning the frosting.
- Twinkies – You will need 10 Twinkies to make 20 yellow Minion heads. Each Twinkie is cut in half crosswise. Purchase an extra Twinkie if you plan to make one or two taller purple Minions.
- Black decorating gel – A fine-tip tube of black decorating gel gives you the most control when drawing the thin goggle straps, mouths and hairstyles.
- Candy eyeballs – Alternate between one and two candy eyeballs to give each Minion a different look. One package should be plenty, but you will use approximately 20 to 30 eyes.
- Purple gel food coloring – Optional, for making the purple Minion variation. A gel food coloring set with blue and purple gives you both colors needed for this recipe.
- White Smarties – Optional, for creating the crooked teeth on the purple Minions. Break Smarties candies into small, uneven pieces before pressing them into the black decorating gel.
Helpful Decorating Supplies
You do not need professional cake-decorating equipment to make Minion cupcakes, but a few inexpensive supplies make the process much easier:
- A tube of black decorating gel helps create narrow goggle straps, facial expressions and different hairstyles.
- Gel food coloring produces brighter blue and purple frosting without changing its consistency.
- Blue cupcake liners complete the Minion color scheme and make the finished cupcakes look more polished. Standard white, yellow or patterned liners will also work.
- A small offset spatula makes it easier to frost the cupcakes, cover the purple Minion and carefully transfer it into place.
- If you are transporting the finished cupcakes to a party, use a tall cupcake carrier with enough headroom to protect the upright Twinkie decorations.
How To Make Minion Cupcakes
Minion cupcakes are made by topping blue-frosted cupcakes with Twinkie halves decorated to look like Minion heads. Candy eyes and black decorating gel create the goggles, expressions and recognizable Minion hairstyles.
- Bake and frost. Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions and divide the batter among 20 muffin cups lined with blue cupcake liners. Bake as directed and cool completely, then spread blue-tinted frosting over each cupcake.
- Create the goggle straps. Cut each Twinkie in half crosswise. Use black decorating gel to draw a horizontal strap around the rounded portion of each Twinkie half.
- Choose the eyes. Use one or two candy eyeballs for each Minion, alternating the number to create different characters.
- Attach the eyes. Add a small dot of black decorating gel to the back of each candy eyeball.
- Create the face. Draw a goggle strap around the Twinkie with black decorating gel, then press one or two candy eyes onto the strap. Add a smile, frown or other expression.
- Make the hair. Use black decorating gel to create spiky hair, a center part, a single curl or another playful hairstyle.
- Assemble the cupcakes. Gently press each decorated Twinkie half, cut-side down, into the blue frosting to create the finished Minion cupcakes.
How To Make Purple Minion Cupcakes
Purple Minions, also known as Evil Minions from Despicable Me 2, make a fun addition to a Minion-themed party and are especially fitting for Halloween. Make one or two to mix in with the classic yellow Minion cupcakes.
- Reserve frosting. Before tinting the frosting blue, transfer a few spoonfuls to a separate bowl. Add purple gel food coloring a little at a time until the desired color is reached.
- Cut the Twinkie. Cut a Twinkie approximately three-quarters of the way down, making the purple Minion slightly taller than the yellow Minions. Stand it upright on its cut end.
- Add purple frosting. Spread the purple frosting over the entire Twinkie, using upward strokes to create a shaggy texture. Add extra frosting to the top and pull it into wild peaks to resemble crazy hair.
- Create the goggles. Draw a black goggle strap around the Twinkie with decorating gel. Add black gel to the back of the candy eyes, press them onto the strap and hold them briefly if they begin to slide.
- Add the face. Use black decorating gel to draw a frown. Break white Smarties into small, uneven pieces and press them into the gel above the mouth to create crooked teeth.
- Transfer carefully. Insert a toothpick into the top of the Minion and slide a small spatula underneath it. Transfer it to a purple-frosted cupcake, then carefully remove the spatula and toothpick.
- Finish the base. Spread additional purple frosting around the bottom of the Twinkie to secure it and create a seamless appearance.
For another kid-friendly Halloween treat, these three-ingredient Homemade Butterfingers are an easy way to use candy corn.
Recipe Tips
- Cool completely. Warm cupcakes can cause the frosting to melt, making it difficult for the Minion heads to stand upright.
- Use gel coloring. Gel food coloring creates vibrant blue and purple frosting without thinning it.
- Cut as you go. Work with a few Twinkies at a time so the exposed cake does not dry out while you decorate.
- Decorate on a flat surface. Add the goggles, faces and hair before placing the yellow Minion heads on the cupcakes. This gives you better control over the details. A small offset spatula is especially helpful for transferring the taller purple Minions.
- Vary the designs. Alternate one and two eyes, different expressions and a few hairstyles to create a full crowd of recognizable Minion characters.
- Keep the gel light. Use gentle pressure when squeezing the decorating gel so the lines remain thin and easy to control.
- Save time. Start with prepared cupcakes from a bakery and add blue frosting and Twinkie Minion heads at home.
- Plan approximately 45 minutes. Once your cupcakes are baked and supplies are ready, decorating 20 yellow Minion heads takes about 40 to 45 minutes. Purple Minions require a little extra time.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
- Bake ahead. Bake the cupcakes up to 2 days in advance. Store them unfrosted in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Frost in advance. Cupcakes made with prepared frosting can be frosted 1 day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If using homemade frosting, follow the storage instructions for that particular recipe.
- Decorate the day of serving. For the freshest texture, cut and decorate the Twinkie Minion heads the same day you plan to serve the cupcakes. Cut Twinkies can dry out when exposed to air.
- Store leftovers. Keep cupcakes made with shelf-stable frosting in a single layer inside an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. A
tall cupcake carrier works especially well because it protects the upright Twinkie heads without smudging the decorations. If using homemade frosting that requires refrigeration, follow that recipe’s storage instructions and allow the cupcakes to return to room temperature before serving. - Avoid freezing. The cupcakes themselves can be frozen before decorating, but the fully assembled Minion cupcakes do not freeze well because the candy eyes, decorating gel and Twinkie texture may change.
If you are preparing several party desserts, my Instant Pot Fudge is another easy option that can be made ahead and stored until the celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Twinkies do I need for 20 Minion cupcakes?
You will need 10 Twinkies for 20 yellow Minion cupcakes, since each Twinkie is cut in half. If you are making one or two taller purple Minions, purchase an extra Twinkie to account for the different cut.
Do I need fondant to make Minion cupcakes?
No. These easy Minion cupcakes are made without fondant. Twinkies create the heads, while candy eyes and black decorating gel create the faces, goggles and hair.
Can I use homemade cupcakes and frosting?
Yes. Use your favorite homemade vanilla or yellow cupcakes and my Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. Boxed cake mix and prepared frosting make these cupcakes faster, but homemade versions work just as well.
Can I make Minion cupcakes without Twinkies?
Twinkies provide the recognizable yellow color, rounded shape and correct proportions, so they are the easiest option for this design. You can experiment with a similarly shaped yellow sponge cake, but the finished Minions may look different.
What occasions are Minion cupcakes good for?
These Despicable Me cupcakes are perfect for a Minion birthday party, movie night or character-themed celebration. Add purple Minions for an especially fun Halloween dessert.
More Fun Party Desserts
If you are planning a birthday party, Halloween celebration or movie night, try one of these fun desserts next:
- Snickers Fudge is a homemade version of a Snickers bar in fudge form, complete with layers of chocolate, caramel, peanuts and nougat.
- Candy Corn Cake is a colorful Halloween dessert inspired by the classic fall candy.
- Caramel Apples are a must-make fall treat that kids can help decorate with their favorite toppings.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats require no baking and are easy to make ahead for parties.
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Easy Minion Cupcakes With Twinkies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix plus ingredients called for on the package
- 16 oz white frosting (1 container)
- blue food coloring as needed
- 10 Twinkies
- 1 tube black decorating gel
- 30 candy eyeballs
Optional Purple Minions
- purple gel food coloring
- 1 Twinkie (additional)
- white Smarties broken into small pieces
Instructions
- Bake cupcakes. Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions. Divide the batter among 20 lined muffin cups and bake as directed. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.
- Color frosting. Place the frosting in a medium bowl. If making purple Minions, reserve a few spoonfuls in a separate bowl. Add blue gel food coloring to the remaining frosting a little at a time, stirring until the desired shade is reached.
- Frost cupcakes. Spread the blue frosting evenly over the cooled cupcakes.
- Cut Twinkies. Cut each Twinkie in half crosswise to create 20 Minion heads.
- Create goggles. Draw a horizontal goggle strap around the rounded portion of each Twinkie half using black decorating gel. Add a small dot of gel to the back of one or two candy eyes and press them onto the strap.
- Add faces and hair. Use black decorating gel to draw mouths and hairstyles. Vary the number of eyes, expressions and hair designs to make each Minion different.
- Assemble cupcakes. Gently press each decorated Twinkie half, cut-side down, into the blue frosting. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Optional Purple Minions
- Color frosting purple. Add purple gel food coloring to the reserved frosting until the desired shade is reached.
- Decorate the purple Minion. Cut approximately one-quarter off one end of an additional Twinkie, leaving a taller piece for the purple Minion. Stand it upright on the cut end and cover it completely with purple frosting, pulling the frosting upward into shaggy peaks to create wild hair.
- Add the face. Use black decorating gel and candy eyes to create the goggles and frowning mouth. Press broken pieces of white Smarties into the gel to create crooked teeth.
- Finish the cupcake. Carefully transfer the purple Minion to a cupcake. Add purple frosting around the base to hold it upright.
Notes
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting so the Minion heads remain upright.
- Gel food coloring creates vibrant blue and purple shades without thinning the frosting.
- Decorate the Twinkie halves on a flat surface before placing them on the cupcakes for better control.
- Cut and decorate the Twinkies the day you plan to serve them for the freshest texture.
- Decorating 20 yellow Minion heads takes approximately 40 to 45 minutes once the supplies are ready. Purple Minions require additional time.
- Store assembled cupcakes in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If using homemade frosting that requires refrigeration, follow that recipe’s storage instructions.Decorate the Twinkie halves on a flat surface before placing them on the cupcakes. This gives you better control when adding the eyes, goggles, mouths and hair.
Nutrition
Megan Porta is a comfort food recipe creator who specializes in easy family meals and Instant Pot desserts, and the founder of Pip and Ebby. She has been cooking for three decades and developing recipes for over fifteen years, helping home cooks make reliable, cozy recipes for real life.
Looks very very nice. Very nice Job ! I made a link of your article to my blog related to the minions word (www.planetminion.com), I hope you are ok with thatCheers
thank you sooo much for your talented info!! I never knew that wilton made candy eyeballs and im loving your purple minion! Believe it or not im making these for my daughters 13th birthday party!
Awwwe! These minion cupcakes are so incredibly cute! I love them! What a creative idea, I love it! Thanks for sharing!
Awww these minions are so cute.Love your creativity!!
Do you have a picture of the completed project?
I will be the hero in my sons class. thanks for this.