Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

Glow in the Dark CupcakesWow a crowd with frosted treats that glow! Thanks to a trick with gelatin and tonic water, cakes of all kinds can sport a neon finish that illuminates like a glow stick.There are two ways to create these Glow in the Dark Cupcakes – an “Express Way” and a “Made from Scratch” version that is akin to a buttercream frosting. The key is introducing tonic water into the mix. So, whatever recipe you use, make sure you have tonic water and gelatin. Pair either version with any cupcake recipe.

You Will Need:1 container white frosting: vanilla, cream cheese or plain white will all work. Do not use the “fluffy” or “whipped” options.1 box of gelatin – Lime/green works best, but orange also gives off a nice hue.

1 cup warm/hot water

1 cup plus 2-4 tablespoons tonic water (you can often find this in the alcohol section or the juice/pop aisle at your local grocer)

Neon food coloring – optional

Directions:

1.       Place the frosting in a mixing bowl.

2.       Stir in 2-4 tablespoons of tonic water directly into the frosting. Use enough to infuse the frosting, but not so much it makes it too watery.

3.       Optional – Feel free to mix in any neon food coloring. Just make sure it is the same color of your chosen gelatin hue.

4.       Frost cupcakes any way you like. (Using a plastic sandwich bag with one corner trimmed works wonders.) Place them in the freezer to set for 5-10 minutes.

5.       Mix the gelatin in 1 cup warm/hot water and let cool for 5-10 minutes in the fridge.

6.       Add 1 cup of tonic water to the gelatin mixture and stir.

7.       Dip cupcakes in the tonic and gelatin mix and let it set in the freezer for 5 minutes. Repeat at least 5 times.

8.       Let completed cupcake sit in the light for 10 minutes and then serve under a black light to intensify glow.

Made from Scratch Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

You Will Need:

1 cup butter

5 cups powdered sugar

5 tablespoons tonic water

1 tablespoons pure vanilla

Directions:

1.       Cream together butter and sugar in a mixing bowl fitted with a whisk on low speed.

2.       Mix in tonic water and vanilla at a low speed and increase speed to medium. Whip for 3 minutes.

3.       Frost cupcakes and freeze for at least half an hour.

4.       Mix the gelatin in 1 cup warm/hot water and let cool for 5-10 minutes in the fridge.

5.       Add 1 cup of tonic water to the gelatin mixture and stir.

6.       Dip cupcakes in the tonic and gelatin mix and let it set in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. Repeat at least 5 times.

7.       Let completed cupcake sit in the light for 10 minutes and then serve under a black light to intensify glow.

*This version tends to take longer to set, hence the slightly longer periods in the fridge/freezer.

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