How to Make Simple Owl Cupcakes with a Video
I am so excited! A few months ago I was selected to be a contributor for Martha Stewart which means I get to create fun things to share with her readers. Can You believe it? My baked goods will be on her site! Yippee! Want to see what I made for her readers the other day because I’m dying to show you? I made cute owl cupcakes and if you want to be  “The Hoot of The Party” click here.
I think the little chocolate owl cupcakes are pretty cute, but if you change the colors to pink and white you can make them for Valentine’s Day because “Hoot” doesn’t want a cute owl cupcake for Valentine’s Day? Are you ready to see the tutorial and video because if you need to deliver cupcakes to a party, why make ordinary cupcakes when you can make these easy cute little owl cupcakes? You can use your favorite cake box mix and canned store-bought frosting to make these guys and it doesn’t get much easier than this!
When you add a few Oreo centers, M&M’s and chocolate-covered sunflower seeds you will have a treat your friends and family will remember forever.
Anybody can show up to a party with ordinary cupcakes, but you aren’t ordinary, are you! You should make these simple owl cupcakes with a box of your favorite cake mix and store-bought icing so everyone will see your creative side. They may look hard to make, but I promise anyone can make these and you should get the kids to help because they’re really fun and a cute little project! Are you ready to get started?
Supplies for Owl Cupcakes:
(may contain affiliate links)
Cupcakes:
Box Cake Mix
Frosting
Cupcake Liners
Cupcake Tin
Decorating Supplies:
Chocolate Oreo’s
M&M’s
Chocolate Sunflower Seeds
Tools:
Decorating Bag fitted with a #10 tip
Coupler with ring
Small Round Cookie Cutter
Tin Foil
Sharp Knife
- Begin by making several tin foil balls about the size of a marble because that’s what we’re going to use to make the “owl shape” of the cupcakes.
- Line the cupcake tin with cupcake liners.
- Mix the cake mix according to the directions on the package.
- Fill cupcake liners halfway with the cake batter. Be careful not to overfill or they won’t be heart-shaped when they’re baked.
- Once the cupcake liners are halfway full with the cake batter, place the ball of tin foil in between the cupcake liner and the muffin tin.
- Press each tin foil ball down to the bottom of the muffin tin so the foil will push the cupcake liner in to give the cupcake a simple heart shape. “Hoot” knew making heart cupcakes was this easy?
- Next, bake according to the cake mix directions.
To Decorate the Cupcakes You Will Need:
- Oreos, Chocolate Creme Oreos, Peanut Butter Creme, Mint Creme or Double Stuffed Oreos’s-Each has a different color cream so decide what color you want for the eyes.
- M&M’s
- Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds (I found mine at a local department store)
- Knife
- Small Round Cookie Cutter
- Optional- Food Tongs
- Each owl cupcake will need seven sunflower seeds, two M&M’s, two Oreo Centers.
- If you want to use a can of store-bought frosting you will need to add about 1 cup of confectionary sugar so it will be stiff enough to make the feathers. When you use the frosting straight from the can the feathers won’t have a defined look. If you prefer to make your own frosting, make it stiff enough to hold a shape so your cupcake will look like it has the feathers of an owl.
- Place the frosting in the decorating bag. Martha has a great video to show you “How to Fill a Pastry Bag” that will help with this step.
- Pipe a dot of frosting by holding the piping bag at a 90° angle.
- Squeeze the bag until a dot forms. Release pressure on the bag as you pull the tip through the icing to make it look like a teardrop. If you need to see this step in action, there is a video at the end of this tutorial so you can see how simple it is to make frosting feathers.
- Continue until the cupcake is covered.
Now it is time to make the eyes out of the Oreo creme center.
- Make sure the Oreo’s are room temperature because it will make it easier to separate the cream from the cookie in one piece. If the cookies are cold they will break as you take them apart.
- Use the knife to cut the creme off of the Oreo cookie.
- Score the creme with a to make the marks for the eyes. Be careful not to cut through the eyes, you just need to make a shallow mark.
- Add an M&M in the center to each eye and place them onto the cupcakes.
- Next, place the sunflower nose and toes into the frosting and food tweezers will help make this step easier.
- Pipe the eyebrows at the top of the eyes and enjoy your owl cupcakes.
If you want to see this owl come to life right before your eyes, you can watch this how-to video.
When people start asking ‘hoot’ brought the cute owl cupcakes, you can smile and say you did!
Bear hugs,
Oh my goodness Lisa – that is so great getting to be a contributor for Martha Stewart! Congratulations!!! AND I love your little owl cupcakes! 🙂
Thank Kim! 😉
I love how you made the eyes using the cookies. Cool idea!!!
Thank Beth! I ate the broken ones so it made me really happy! LOL
CONGRATULATIONS! What an honor….you must be beyond giddy. I am SO happy for you! It couldn’t have gone to anyone more deserving. I am just so EXCITED for you! WAY TO GO, LISA! All of your hard work, kindness, support and talent will be recognized on a completely different level than before. I wish I could give you a great big bear hug, grab hands, and jump up and down screaming in your kitchen!!! 🙂 Again…CONGRATULATIONS!!!! YAY!!!
Oh yeah! Nearly forgot to mention that your owl cupcakes are VERY cute!! So adorable!
Congratulations again, from the bottom of my heart. (You go, Lisa!) 🙂
Thank you Janis! You are so sweet! 😉
Just wanted to add………..
YOU ARE A GENIUS…for using the Oreo cookie cream as the eye!
I got to eat the broken Oreos so it was a happy day here! LOL
Beautiful cupcakes and congratulations
Thanks Ann!!
Wow Lisa, congratulations on the Martha Stewart gig! Her readers are in for a treat!
Thanks Anne! 🙂
Great to see a Tennessee girl make the big leagues. I love your cook book and can’t wait to try these delightful cupcakes.
Thanks Shirley! Are you in Tennessee? 🙂
Yes, for the past thirty years we have lived in Franklin, Tennessee. I just got into cookie decorating a year ago. Really don’t need to be eating them, but it is such a satisfying feeling to get everything right and see the faces of my six grandchildren when I bring them for their birthday parties. Your tips and books have really simplified my cookie making. I especially love your tutorials. No talking, just the demonstration.
Howdy neighbor! Franklin is beautiful! Six grandkids! I have two (so far) and they are the joy in my life. Congrats on 6!
I’m so happy you are making cookies and finding info you need here. If you ever need anything, let me know. I am here to help. 😉
Congratulations Lisa!! I’m so happy for you!
Thanks Donna! 😉
Yippee, soo excited for you Lisa! But of course we can believe it..your creations are totally awesome!
I LOVE how you used the Oreo middle on these amazing owls! 🙂
You are next Karen! Your sweet treats are amazing!!!!!!!