Simple Graduation Cupcakes Cap Toppers (Printable version)

Festive cupcakes adorned with edible caps, ideal for celebrations and gatherings.

# Ingredient list:

→ Cupcake Base

01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

→ Buttercream Frosting

09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt

→ Graduation Cap Toppers

14 - 12 mini peanut butter cups or chocolate squares for nut-free option
15 - 12 chocolate square candies
16 - 12 pieces string licorice or sour candy strips for tassels
17 - 12 mini M&Ms or candy pearls for cap buttons
18 - Melted chocolate or frosting for assembly

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then incorporate vanilla extract.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
04 - Add half the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture and blend. Add milk, then add remaining dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
06 - Beat softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until fluffy and spreadable.
07 - Apply buttercream frosting to each cooled cupcake with a decorative swirl.
08 - Place chocolate square candy flat-side up. Attach mini peanut butter cup upside-down in center using melted chocolate or frosting. Secure licorice piece as tassel and mini M&M or pearl as button. Allow to set.
09 - Place each assembled graduation cap topper on a frosted cupcake.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • These cupcakes look impossibly fancy but come together faster than you'd think, which means less stress and more time enjoying the party.
  • The graduation caps are pure theater—people genuinely light up when they see them, and that feeling never gets old.
  • You can customize the colors and candies to match any school or celebration theme, making each batch feel personally yours.
02 -
  • Don't bake the cupcakes on convection mode unless you reduce the temperature by 25 degrees—they'll brown too fast on the outside before the inside is done.
  • The caps will set faster if you refrigerate them for 10 minutes after assembly, which also makes them less likely to slide off the cupcakes.
03 -
  • Room-temperature butter and eggs mix together more smoothly than cold ones, which means better texture in your finished cupcakes.
  • If you're making these for a nut-free celebration, check every candy label carefully—sometimes chocolate is processed in facilities that also handle nuts, even if the candy itself doesn't contain them.
Go back