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Disney Cars Lightning McQueen Cupcakes Recipe

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This Disney Cars Lightning McQueen Cupcakes recipe requires a good amount of prepwork the day before, but if you’re having a party the effort will be worth it when you see the delight on the kids’ faces.

Cars Lightning McQueen Cupcakes Recipe From Val's Kitchen

The Disney movie Cars is one of my youngest son’s favorites. The third installment in the franchise will be released in theaters next week. To celebrate, I have a special cupcake recipe, baked up just for you. The recipe requires a good amount of prepwork the day before, but if you’re having a party the effort will be worth it when you see the delight on the kids’ faces. Here’s instructions for how to make them.

Lightning McQueen Cupcakes

Makes 12 cupcakes

Equipment Needed

  • cookie sheet
  • parchment paper
  • 5 bowls
  • cupcake liners
  • cupcake pan
  • medium star tip and pastry bag
  • hand mixer and large mixing bowl OR stand mixer
  • medium ice cream scoop
  • 5 piping bags fitted with #2 tip
  • red, black, blue, and yellow food dyes
  • Lightening McQueen’s eyes image from google
  • pen or pencil to trace the image
  • piece of white paper

Nordicware Baker's Half Sheet (2 Pack), SilverNordicware Baker’s Half Sheet (2 Pack), SilverKirkland Signature Parchment Paper, 205 sq ftKirkland Signature Parchment Paper, 205 sq ftLibbey 6.25oz Bowls with Lids, 16-Piece SetLibbey 6.25oz Bowls with Lids, 16-Piece SetWilton Recipe Right Nonstick 12-Cup Muffin PanWilton Recipe Right Nonstick 12-Cup Muffin PanWilton 300 Ct Rainbow Bright Std Baking CupsWilton 300 Ct Rainbow Bright Std Baking CupsHamilton Beach Hand Mixer with Snap-On CaseHamilton Beach Hand Mixer with Snap-On CasePyrex Smart Essentials 4-Quart Glass Mixing BowlPyrex Smart Essentials 4-Quart Glass Mixing BowlHamilton Beach Stainless 6-Speed Stand MixerHamilton Beach Stainless 6-Speed Stand MixerPyrex Prepware 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl SetPyrex Prepware 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl SetOXO Good Grips Medium Cookie ScoopOXO Good Grips Medium Cookie ScoopBaker's Secret 10x16 Cooling Rack, Set of 2Baker’s Secret 10×16 Cooling Rack, Set of 2Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup SetPyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup SetCook’s Pro Adjust-A-Measure Set, 3-PieceCook’s Pro Adjust-A-Measure Set, 3-PieceWilton Disposable 16Wilton Disposable 16″ Decorating Bags, 12 PackWilton 411-7367 Quick Change CouplerWilton 411-7367 Quick Change CouplerWilton Icing Bag Ties, 12 count packageWilton Icing Bag Ties, 12 count packageWilton 2104-2531 Deluxe Decorating Tip SetWilton 2104-2531 Deluxe Decorating Tip Set

Ingredients

Ingredients for Icing Transfers

  • 2 egg whites
  • 1.5 cups powder sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cream of tarter
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

Ingredients for Cupcakes

  • 1 box of french vanilla cake mix
  • 3 eggs
    1/2 cup softened unsalted sweet cream butter
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla bean paste

Frosting Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
  • 2.5 cups powder sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3-5 tbsp heavy whipping cream
  • red food coloring

Cars Lightning McQueen Cupcakes Recipe From Val's Kitchen

Instructions

Instructions for Icing Transfers

Locate an image of Lightning McQueen’s eyes on the internet and print it out.

Place a piece of paper on top of the image.

Use a pen or pencil to trace the image onto the white paper about 3-4 times, leaving the drawings 4 inches apart.

Place the paper with the copies onto the cookie sheet

Fit a sheet of parchment paper onto the cookie sheet and tape the edges so that you have a smooth flat area

Combine the powdered sugar, egg whites, cream of tarter and vanilla using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed.

If the royal icing is still a yellow soup, add in 1/2 cup powdered sugar.

Continue to mix until you get stiff peaks.

Divide the icing evenly into the five bowls.

Add a few red drops into the first bowl and mix until combined, then add a few more drops to get the shade of red that you want.

Add a few blue drops to the second bowl.

Add a few yellow drops to the third bowl.

Add a few black drops to the fourth bowl.

Leave the white icing in the fifth bowl as is.

Scoop the icing colors into a piping bag.

Using the black icing, outline the place lines on Lightning’s eyes.

Use the red icing to fill in the top part.

Use the white icing to fill in the bottom part.

Use the blue icing to add two blue dots for eyes.

Use the black icing again to add a dot into the center of the blue dot to make the pupils.

Use the yellow icing to pipe on 24 small yellow dots for Lightning’s headlights below Lightning’s eyes .

Use the black icing to pipe on 48 medium sized black circles for the tires.

Set aside for 1 day to dry.

Lightning McQueen Cupcakes Recipe From Val's Kitchen

Instructions for cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 350 f.

Place cupcake liners into the cupcake pan.

Place the cake mix, butter, milk, and vanilla bean pasta into a medium mixing bowl and mix until combined

Using a medium ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into the cupcake liners and fill about 3/4 of the way full.

Bake in the oven for about 21 minutes.

Remove from the oven and place aside to cool.

Frosting Instructions

Using a standing mixer, combine all ingredients except the food coloring into the bowl and mix on medium speed

If your frosting starts looking like powdery rocks, add another tablespoon of heavy whipping cream.

Mix until you see creamy stiff peaks.

Separate the frosting into three bowls.

Add red dye into one bowl and mix until combined. Add a few more drops in to get a bright red.

Fit the star tip into the piping bag.

Scoop the red frosting into the piping bag.

Twist the top of the piping bag and squeeze the frosting down.

Frost the cooled cupcake from the outer edge.

Gently peel off Lightning’s eyes and place onto the top center of the cupcake.

Add two yellow dots in the corner below the eyes for the headlights.

Add 4 black dots, 2 on each side, for tires.

Enjoy!

Cars Lightning McQueen Cupcakes Recipe From Val's Kitchen

Disney Cars Lightning McQueen Cupcakes

Cars Lightning McQueen Cupcakes Recipe From Val's Kitchen

Instructions

Instructions for Icing Transfers - Locate an image of Lightning McQueen's eyes on the internet and print it out. Place a piece of paper on top of the image. Use a pen or pencil to trace the image onto the white paper about 3-4 times, leaving the drawings 4 inches apart. Place the paper with the copies onto the cookie sheet Fit a sheet of parchment paper onto the cookie sheet and tape the edges so that you have a smooth flat area Combine the powdered sugar, egg whites, cream of tarter and vanilla using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed. If the royal icing is still a yellow soup, add in 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Continue to mix until you get stiff peaks. Divide the icing evenly into the five bowls. Add a few red drops into the first bowl and mix until combined, then add a few more drops to get the shade of red that you want. Add a few blue drops to the second bowl. Add a few yellow drops to the third bowl. Add a few black drops to the fourth bowl. Leave the white icing in the fifth bowl as is. Scoop the icing colors into a piping bag. Using the black icing, outline the place lines on Lightning's eyes. Use the red icing to fill in the top part. Use the white icing to fill in the bottom part. Use the blue icing to add two blue dots for eyes. Use the black icing again to add a dot into the center of the blue dot to make the pupils. Use the yellow icing to pipe on 24 small yellow dots for Lightning's headlights below Lightning's eyes . Use the black icing to pipe on 48 medium sized black circles for the tires. Set aside for 1 day to dry.

    Instructions for cupcakes - Preheat the oven to 350 f. Place cupcake liners into the cupcake pan. Place the cake mix, butter, milk, and vanilla bean pasta into a medium mixing bowl and mix until combined Using a medium ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into the cupcake liners and fill about 3/4 of the way full. Bake in the oven for about 21 minutes. Remove from the oven and place aside to cool.

      Frosting Instructions - Using a standing mixer, combine all ingredients except the food coloring into the bowl and mix on medium speed If your frosting starts looking like powdery rocks, add another tablespoon of heavy whipping cream. Mix until you see creamy stiff peaks. Separate the frosting into three bowls. Add red dye into one bowl and mix until combined. Add a few more drops in to get a bright red. Fit the star tip into the piping bag. Scoop the red frosting into the piping bag. Twist the top of the piping bag and squeeze the frosting down. Frost the cooled cupcake from the outer edge. Gently peel off Lightning's eyes and place onto the top center of the cupcake. Add two yellow dots in the corner below the eyes for the headlights. Add 4 black dots, 2 on each side, for tires. Enjoy!

        Did you make this recipe and love it?

        I'd love to see it! Please tag me @valmg on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. Thanks for your support!

        pat.

        Sunday 11th of June 2017

        With another Disney Cars bering released, bet this will be a party fav.

        My Teen Guide

        Thursday 8th of June 2017

        Really cool idea for cupcake decoration. My daughter, nephew and nieces would love these cupcakes and gobble them up in seconds! They are all so excited to see the movie Cars 3!

        Polarbelle

        Thursday 8th of June 2017

        These are sooo cute! They loook (and probably taste) fantastic! thanks for sharing.

        sara

        Thursday 8th of June 2017

        These cupcakes are super cute! I totally think I can make these myself.

        Kiwi

        Thursday 8th of June 2017

        Well arent these the cutest things?? Adorables and great simple breakout on how to make these just in time for the movie!

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