Simple Graduation Cupcakes Cap Toppers (Printable)

Easy cupcakes topped with adorable edible caps, ideal for celebrations and gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Cupcake Batter

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 of 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
04 - Add half the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix, then add milk, and finally add the 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 - Spread or pipe buttercream frosting onto each cooled cupcake in a decorative swirl.
08 - Place a chocolate square flat-side up. Attach a mini peanut butter cup upside-down in the center using melted chocolate or frosting. Secure a piece of licorice as the tassel and place a mini M&M or candy pearl as the button. Allow to set.
09 - Place each graduation cap topper on a frosted cupcake.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • They bake in under 20 minutes, which means you can actually pull this off even if you're running behind.
  • The graduation cap toppers look impressively fancy but require zero decorating skills or special tools.
  • One batch makes exactly a dozen, perfect for gifting or sharing at a small celebration.
02 -
  • If your frosting looks grainy or breaks, your butter was probably too cold or your powdered sugar wasn't sifted—start over with softened butter and sifted sugar and it'll come together in seconds.
  • The graduation cap toppers need to be assembled while the chocolate or frosting is still slightly tacky, so work quickly once you start sticking pieces together.
03 -
  • If you're making these for a large party, assemble the caps on the morning of and store them in a shallow container lined with parchment paper so they don't topple or stick to each other.
  • Room temperature butter creams faster and smoother than cold butter, so plan ahead by pulling yours out about an hour before you bake.
Go Back