Toy Story Cupcake

Introduction

These Toy Story cupcakes bring the charm of Andy’s room to your kitchen with a simple yet iconic alien design. You’ll use boxed cake mix for a reliable base, then pipe on vibrant green frosting to create those lovable three-eyed aliens. It’s a project that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

This recipe and accompanying image were created with the help of AI for inspiration and guidance. Results may vary depending on ingredients, equipment, and technique.

Prep & Cook Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

Boxed cake mix
PLUS ingredients called for on box
1 cup butter, softened
3-4 cups icing sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
pinch salt
2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
Green food dye, plus black food dye or just do what I did and mix blue, red and yellow to get something resembling black
Candy eyes, 3 per cupcake

Instructions

Preheat your oven according to the boxed cake mix directions. Line two muffin tins with 24 cupcake liners.
Prepare the boxed cake mix batter according to the package instructions, using the ingredients called for on the box.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
Bake according to box directions, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
While the cupcakes cool, make the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add 3 cups of icing sugar, the vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on low speed until combined.
Add 2 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. If the frosting is too stiff, add more milk, one teaspoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add the remaining cup of icing sugar.
Remove about 1/3 cup of the frosting to a small bowl. Use black food dye (or mix blue, red, and yellow dyes together) to tint this small portion a dark gray or black. Set aside.
Tint the remaining large bowl of frosting green using green food dye.
Fit a piping bag with a large round or star tip. Fill the bag with the green frosting.
Pipe a swirl of green frosting onto the top of each cooled cupcake, creating a dome shape to resemble the alien’s head.
Use a small dab of the black frosting to attach three candy eyes to each green frosting dome.
Using a small, clean paintbrush or the tip of a toothpick, dip into the black frosting and carefully draw a simple, straight mouth beneath the eyes on each alien.

Variations

Create Buzz Lightyear cupcakes by piping blue frosting and using star-shaped sprinkles or drawing white zig-zags with icing to mimic his helmet.
Make Woody-inspired treats by using a tan or peach-colored frosting and drawing on a cowboy hat and sheriff’s badge with black icing.
For a “Pizza Planet” theme, pipe a circle of beige frosting and use red icing to create a “sauce” swirl. Add small, round yellow sprinkles for “cheese.”
Skip the piping bag and spread the green frosting with a knife for a simpler, more rustic alien head.

Tips for Success

Ensure your cupcakes are completely cool before frosting, or the buttercream will melt and slide off.
For best results, use gel food coloring instead of liquid for more vibrant, intense colors without thinning the frosting.
When mixing your own black dye, start with a blue base and add red and yellow sparingly until you achieve a very dark gray or black.
If your kitchen is warm, chill the frosted cupcakes for 15 minutes to help set the frosting before serving.

Storage & Reheating

FAQ

Can I make these cupcakes from scratch instead of using a box mix?

Absolutely. Use your favorite vanilla or yellow cake recipe to yield approximately 24 cupcakes.

My black frosting looks dark gray. Is that okay?

Yes, that’s perfectly fine! A very dark gray reads as black on the cupcake and is often easier to achieve than a true jet black.

What can I use if I don’t have a piping bag?

You can use a heavy-duty zip-top bag with a corner snipped off, or simply spread the green frosting with a butter knife or small offset spatula.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes 1-2 days in advance. Store them unfrosted in an airtight container. Frost and decorate the day you plan to serve them for the freshest look.

Where can I find candy eyes?

Candy eyes are available in the baking aisle of most major grocery stores, at craft stores, or online.

Why is there salt in the frosting?

A pinch of salt balances the sweetness of the buttercream and enhances the overall flavor.