Score a Touchdown with This Easy DIY Pull-Apart Football Cupcake Cake for Game Day
Get ready to celebrate game day in the most delicious and creative way possible with this fantastic pull-apart football cupcake cake! While it might look like a professionally crafted, giant cake that took hours to assemble, the secret is out: it’s incredibly easy to make. This ingenious dessert is actually composed of individual cupcakes arranged and frosted together to form the perfect pigskin shape, making it much simpler to create and serve than a traditional cake. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any sports event, from the Super Bowl to a casual Sunday game with friends and family.
Let’s be honest, for many of us, game day isn’t just about the intense plays and thrilling moments on the field; it’s also a fantastic excuse to indulge in an array of delicious snacks and treats. While I might not be the most avid sports fan, my enthusiasm for themed food and delightful desserts is absolutely undeniable. There’s something truly special about gathering with loved ones, surrounded by festive decorations, and a spread of treats that perfectly match the occasion.
I find immense joy in hosting parties or attending get-togethers where every detail, especially the food, contributes to the overall theme. I might have even gone a *tad* overboard with my son’s first nautical-themed birthday party, meticulously crafting gummy fish on skewers to resemble tiny fishing rods. It was a labor of love (and a little “overboard,” pun intended!), but seeing the joy on the kids’ faces made every bit of effort worthwhile. This passion for themed treats makes game day an ideal opportunity to unleash my creativity in the kitchen.
So, when the wonderful team at Skip Hop (who generously sponsored this post) approached me to develop a fun game-day treat for kids using their charming mealtime zoo products, my answer was an enthusiastic, “Absolutely, YES! Can I possibly make a DIY pull-apart football cupcake cake?!” It was the perfect alignment of my love for themed desserts and their commitment to creating engaging products for children.
Our family has been a long-time admirer and user of Skip Hop products. In fact, that same son I mentioned earlier? His very first backpack was an adorable dog-themed backpack, which we purchased when he was just two and a half years old. He’s now seven, and believe it or not, we still use it regularly! It’s a testament to the durability and timeless design of their products.
For those who’ve been following my culinary adventures on Instagram, you’ll know my daughter has an *intense* unicorn obsession. Naturally, her backpack is the enchanting unicorn one, which she proudly uses every single day. Even my diaper bags for both children were from Skip Hop. Their commitment to quality, innovative designs, and thoughtful products, catering to both parents and babies, is truly remarkable. Have you seen their adorable llama collection? Or the super cute bat, hanging upside down – it’s enough to make you squeal with delight!
Beyond my personal affection for the brand, I was absolutely thrilled at the prospect of finally making a pull-apart cupcake cake. I’d admired these innovative cake designs all over the internet for years, always eager to try my hand at one. Combining that long-standing desire with my love for themed desserts, I’m delighted to present this DIY Pull-Apart Football Cupcake Cake. It’s a fun, interactive, and incredibly impressive dessert that’s perfect for your next game-day gathering!
Crafting the Perfect Pull-Apart Football Cupcake Cake
For the foundation of this impressive game-day dessert, I adapted my popular one-bowl chocolate cake recipe into perfectly portioned cupcakes. A key modification for this kid-friendly treat was omitting the coffee, ensuring no unnecessary caffeine boosts for energetic little ones, and enhancing the rich flavor profile with an increased amount of vanilla extract. This ensures a deep, comforting chocolate taste that every child (and adult!) will adore.
When it came to the frosting, a classic chocolate buttercream was the obvious choice. I opted for a rich, velvety buttercream made with softened butter, powdered confectioners’ sugar, and high-quality cocoa powder for an intensely chocolatey finish. This smooth, pipeable frosting is not only delicious but also provides the perfect canvas for transforming your individual cupcakes into a unified football masterpiece.
Kid-Approved and Taste-Tested!
Before unveiling this creation for the big game, I conducted the most crucial taste test imaginable: my own children! With a joyful call of, “Kids, who wants cupcakes?”, I presented them with these freshly baked chocolate delights. Their reaction was overwhelmingly positive; they absolutely loved them, eagerly asking for seconds. As a parent, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your homemade treats genuinely enjoyed, especially when they ask for more! Knowing these cupcakes are made with slightly healthier ingredients like whole wheat pastry flour and applesauce makes it even more of a win-win.
For an extra touch of magic and personalization, I added a delightful sprinkle surprise inside each cupcake. This step is entirely optional, but it adds an element of fun and wonder that children adore. Imagine their excitement when they bite into a seemingly ordinary chocolate cupcake only to discover a burst of colorful sprinkles! If you want to customize your football cake even further, you can select sprinkles in the colors of your favorite football teams, making it a truly unique and spirited game-day dessert.
Why You’ll Love Making This Pull-Apart Cake
The beauty of a pull-apart cupcake cake lies in its incredible simplicity and practicality, especially when entertaining. Instead of battling with a traditional cake, you simply bake a batch of delicious cupcakes, arrange them into any desired shape on a serving board, and then frost them all over to create the illusion of one large, cohesive cake. This method removes the stress of slicing and serving, which can often be messy and time-consuming, particularly at a lively party.
The serving process couldn’t be easier: guests can simply “pull apart” their desired cupcake without needing plates or utensils, making it a truly grab-and-go dessert. This convenience is a huge advantage, freeing up parents who might be engrossed in watching the game (unlike me, who’s usually focused on the snack table!) or simply want to relax and enjoy the festivities. It minimizes cleanup and maximizes enjoyment, making it a perfect choice for casual gatherings and parties with children.
How to Assemble Your Football Cupcake Cake
Creating the iconic football shape from cupcakes is surprisingly straightforward and incredibly fun. Here’s a simple guide to assembling your game-day masterpiece:
- **Shape the Football:** You’ll need 24 cupcakes for this design. Begin by arranging them on your chosen rectangular cake board or serving platter. Start in the center by forming three vertical rows, each containing four cupcakes. From there, gradually narrow the shape: add a row of three cupcakes on each side of the central block, followed by a row of two cupcakes on either end, and finally, a single cupcake at each very tip to complete the classic football silhouette.
- **Secure the Cupcakes:** Once you’ve perfectly arranged your cupcakes into the football shape, it’s crucial to prevent them from shifting during frosting. Gently lift each cupcake and spread a small dollop of chocolate frosting on its bottom. Press it back into place on the board. This tiny step makes a world of difference and will save you frustration later!
- **Frost and Decorate:** With your cupcakes secured, generously spread the delicious chocolate buttercream evenly over all the cupcakes with an offset spatula, ensuring no gaps are visible and creating a smooth, cohesive surface. This will make it look like one giant cake. To add the finishing touches, use white decorator’s icing (often sold in small tubes at grocery stores, or use a piping bag with a fine round tip) to pipe the iconic laces and stripes onto your football. Start with a central horizontal line, then add shorter vertical lines across it to mimic the laces.
Adding a Delightful Sprinkle Surprise
The sprinkle surprise is a hidden gem that takes these cupcakes from delicious to absolutely magical. It’s an optional step, but one that guarantees gasps of delight!
To create this fun effect, carefully cut a small circle, about ¼ inch deep, from the top center of each cooled cupcake. Lift out the small cake circle and set it aside. Using a measuring spoon, gently fill the cavity with your chosen sprinkles. You can use a mix of colorful sprinkles or tailor them to team colors for an extra thematic touch. Once filled, place the cut-out cupcake circle back on top and press down lightly, sealing in the surprise. Then, proceed with frosting your cupcakes as usual. The best part? Don’t tell anyone about the hidden sprinkles! Watch the pure excitement and surprise on your children’s faces (or any guest, for that matter!) when they take their first bite and discover the colorful explosion inside. It’s a fantastic way to add an unexpected element of joy to your game day celebration.
Even More Creative Pull-Apart Cupcake Cake Ideas
While a football cake is undoubtedly one of the most popular and festive pull-apart cupcake ideas, the versatility of this concept means you can create virtually any shape or design you can imagine! This makes pull-apart cakes perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any themed gathering throughout the year. The only limit is your imagination (and perhaps the size of your serving board!). Here are a few other delightful designs you could easily try:
- **A Vibrant Rainbow:** Arrange cupcakes in an arc and frost each section with different colored buttercream for a stunning and cheerful dessert.
- **A Giant Cupcake:** Perfect for a birthday, create a supersized cupcake by forming a mound and decorating it with a giant swirl of frosting.
- **An Elegant Bouquet:** Arrange cupcakes like a floral cluster. You can even decorate the cupcakes with real flowers for an impressive look if you prefer not to pipe intricate floral designs with frosting.
- **A Lucky Four-Leaf Clover:** Ideal for St. Patrick’s Day, this shape is simple yet charming.
- **A Whimsical Giant Ice Cream Cone:** Great for summer parties, frost cupcakes to resemble a scoop of melting ice cream on a cone.
- **A Princess Dress:** Perfect for a little girl’s birthday, arrange cupcakes to form the voluminous skirt of a princess gown, then add a small cake for the bodice.
- **A Cute Bunny:** An adorable option for Easter or a spring celebration, using frosting to create ears and a fluffy tail.
I’m already brainstorming my next themed pull-apart cupcake cake project. The possibilities are truly endless, and the joy these creations bring is immeasurable!
If you’re a parent, you know that children can be the toughest critics. My son, for instance, has no qualms about sharing his honest (and sometimes brutal) opinions, once famously telling me that a dinner I’d lovingly prepared was “like a little bit good, but not that good.” Thanks, buddy!
However, with this football cupcake cake, there were absolutely no critiques, only resounding praise! The only comment I received this time was an eager, “Can I have another one?” For me, that’s a clear indication of success – a win, or perhaps, a well-deserved touchdown!
Need More Delicious Dessert Recipes?
If you loved this fun and easy cupcake cake, you’ll definitely want to explore more of my dessert creations. Whether you’re craving something fruity, chocolatey, or just a classic cookie, I’ve got you covered with a variety of crowd-pleasing recipes perfect for any occasion:
- Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Frosting: A bright and tangy treat perfect for spring or summer.
- Chocolate Chunk Coffee Cookies: A sophisticated cookie with a rich, deep flavor.
- Easiest Semi Homemade Cherry Pie: Simple to make but tastes like you spent all day baking.
- Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies: The quintessential comfort cookie that everyone loves.
- Crispy and Chewy Giant Funfetti Cookies: A festive and fun cookie that’s perfect for celebrations.
Each recipe is designed to be approachable and delicious, ensuring you can whip up impressive desserts without stress. Happy baking!
Pull Apart Football Cupcake Cake
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Ingredients
For the cupcakes
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tbsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 eggs, large
- 3/4 cup milk, lowfat
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup applesauce, all natural
For the buttercream
- 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp milk
Equipment
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13×9 cake board
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white decorators icing (sold in a small tube in grocery store)
Instructions
For the cupcake
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Preheat your oven to 350° F and line a cupcake tin with baking liners enough for 24 cupcakes.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 tbsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
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Mix on low speed to combine for 30 seconds. Add in the 2 eggs, one at a time mixing continuously on low speed. Slowly add in the 3/4 cup milk, then the 3/4 cup water, 1 tbsp vanilla, and 1/2 cup applesauce. Mix on medium speed for 1 minute or until mixed well. Remove and mix with a spatula to make sure everything from the bottom of the bowl got incorporated into the mix.
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Fill the cupcake liners up ⅔ of the way full with the batter. Don’t fill any higher than that or your cupcakes will overflow when baking and you won’t have enough batter for 24 cupcakes. Bake for 17-18 minutes, or until the tops are firm but still a little springy.
Make the buttercream
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You will have to clean your mixing bowl. Microwave the 1/2 cup chocolate in a microwavable safe bowl for 30 seconds at a time until fully melted. Make sure to stir in between each time too. Cool for 5 minutes.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the 1 cup butter and 3 cups confectioners sugar and mix on low, leading up to medium speed. Turn the mixer back to low and pour in the melted chocolate in a steady stream. Add the 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp milk and continue to mix until fully combined. Mix with a spatula to make sure everything is combined.
Assemble the cupcake cake
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You will need all 24 cupcakes to make the football shape. Arrange your cupcakes on the rectangle board by lining them up one line at a time. Start in the middle to make 3 vertical lines next to each other of 4 cupcakes each. Then work your way out to the end of each side with one line of 3 cupcakes, then one line of 2 cupcakes, then one cupcake to finish (on each side).
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Now that you have your template, you will lift each cupcake and spread a little dollop of frosting on the bottom then stick it back into the football shape. This helps to make sure the cupcakes wont move while you are frosting.
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If you opted for the sprinkle surprise, cut a small little circle 1/4 inch deep off the top of the cupcake, lift and put it to the side. Using a measuring spoon, fill the hole with sprinkles, then put the cupcake circle top back on and press down lightly.
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Next- put the cake in the freezer for 10 minutes. This will make your frosting easier to smooth and also minimizes crumbs! Continue here if even if you didn’t add the sprinkles.
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Smooth the frosting all over the cake with a spatula (an offset one is best), or you can fill a piping bag with the chocolate buttercream and using a round tip, outline the border of the cake and then fill in the center with the rest of the buttercream.
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To smooth the buttercream out, fill a clean spay bottle with water and lightly spray the cake. Smooth over the damp frosting with the offset spatula.
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Finish up the decorating by adding white lines to either side of the football and lines in the center.