If you have a soft spot for whimsical, colorful treats that taste just as delightful as they look, you are going to absolutely adore this Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe. These petite cakes burst with vibrant hues and a heavenly vanilla flavor that’s sure to bring magic to your kitchen. Whether you’re prepping for a party, a special gathering, or just craving a fun baking project, these petit fours balance stunning presentation with straightforward steps, making them accessible even if you’re not a seasoned baker. Get ready to dive into a sweet little world of unicorn-inspired joy with every bite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients, each chosen to contribute the perfect texture, creamy taste, and dazzling colors. Don’t be fooled by the ease—each element plays a pivotal role in bringing these mystical creations to life.
- French vanilla cake mix: The base of our petit fours, ensuring moist and fluffy cakes every time.
- Large eggs (3): These provide structure and richness to the batter.
- Canola oil (1/2 cup): Keeps the cakes tender and moist without overpowering the flavor.
- Whole milk (1 cup): Adds creaminess and helps achieve that perfect cake consistency.
- Gel food coloring (pink, sky blue, black, purple): Vital for crafting the unicorn’s colorful and magical appearance.
- Vanilla frosting (2 containers): For coating and decorating those tiny cakes with smooth sweetness.
- Unicorn horn sprinkles: The enchanting finishing touch that transforms these treats into true unicorns.
How to Make Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray your petit four baking pan with a baking spray like PAM. This step is crucial to ensure your little cakes don’t stick and come out perfectly shaped.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the eggs, oil, and milk until everything is smoothly combined. This rich and silky mixture sets the foundation for a tender cake crumb.
Step 3: Separate the Batter
Divide the cake batter evenly into four small bowls—this is where the magic of the unicorn colors really begins!
Step 4: Add Color to Your Batter
Stir pink gel food coloring into one bowl, sky blue into the next, purple in the third, and leave the fourth bowl plain. These vibrant bowls of batter will soon transform into adorable multi-colored cupcakes.
Step 5: Spoon Batter into the Pan
Using a teaspoon, carefully spoon about 1 teaspoon of each colored batter into individual cavities of the petit four pan. Layer or swirl for an even more whimsical effect if you wish.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the batter for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This baking time will give you moist, springy petit fours that are just the right size for a single bite.
Step 7: Cool and Remove
Take the pan out of the oven and gently remove the petit fours onto a wire rack. Let them cool completely; this step is key before you move on to frosting.
Step 8: Prepare the First Frosting Layer
Scoop one container of vanilla frosting into a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 15 to 20 seconds to achieve a pourable consistency. This will give your petit fours a smooth, glossy coating.
Step 9: Frost the Petit Fours
Carefully pour the warmed frosting over the cooled petit fours, making sure each cake is fully coated. Let this layer set and firm up before moving to the next decorating step.
Step 10: Color the Second Frosting Batch
Divide the second container of frosting into four bowls, mixing pink, blue, purple, and black gel colors into their respective bowls. These vividly colored frostings will be used for absolutely adorable unicorn details.
Step 11: Pipe Unicorn “Hair” and Details
Fill piping bags fitted with star and round tips with the pink, blue, purple, and black frostings. Use the pink and blue for luscious swirls of “hair,” add purple dots for depth, and detail the eyes with black frosting. This is the stage where your petit fours truly come to life!
Step 12: Add the Unicorn Horn
Gently place a unicorn horn sprinkle on top of each petit four at the center, crowning your colorful creations with their signature magical accent.
Step 13: Chill Before Serving
Allow the decorated petit fours to firm up for 30 minutes so that the frosting sets beautifully. Then get ready to watch everyone’s faces light up as they taste these enchanting cakes.
How to Serve Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a few edible glitter sprinkles or mini rainbow nonpareils can elevate your petit fours to even greater levels of sparkle and charm. Fresh edible flowers also pair beautifully for a whimsical touch.
Side Dishes
Serve these petite cakes alongside light refreshments like sparkling lemonade or a fruity tea to complement their sweet vanilla flavor without overpowering the palette.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your unicorn petit fours on a pastel-colored platter, or display them on a tiered cake stand for a magical centerpiece at any celebration. For an extra special touch, place each petit four in a delicate cupcake liner that matches your color theme.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover petit fours in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh and firm. They’re best enjoyed within 3 days for optimal taste and texture.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted petit fours by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw completely and frost just before serving to maintain freshness.
Reheating
Since petit fours are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, avoid reheating. If you prefer, let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes after refrigeration before serving.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor for this recipe?
Absolutely! While the French vanilla is perfect for a light, classic taste, you can experiment with other flavors like almond or lemon to add a unique twist to your unicorn petit fours.
What if I don’t have a petit four pan?
No worries! You can bake this batter in mini muffin tins or small silicone molds, just adjust baking time slightly and carefully monitor doneness.
Are there alternatives to gel food coloring?
Gel colors provide vibrant hues without watering down the batter, but you can use liquid food coloring—just use less to avoid affecting the texture.
Can these petit fours be made gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the cake mix with a gluten-free vanilla cake mix, and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
How long does the frosting need to firm up before decorating?
After the initial frosting pour, letting the petit fours set for about 20 to 30 minutes helps create a smooth base that’s easier to pipe detailed decorations onto.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe is a joyful way to add color, magic, and sweetness to your baking repertoire. It’s approachable, fun, and delivers impressive results that are sure to enchant friends and family alike. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and dive into this delightful project—you won’t believe how much fun creating edible unicorns can be!
Print
Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 petit fours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Unicorn Petit Fours are delightful miniature cakes bursting with vibrant colors and fun unicorn-themed decorations. Made with a classic French vanilla cake mix and naturally colored frosting, these petit fours are perfect for parties or special celebrations, offering a whimsical treat that’s as charming to look at as it is delicious to eat.
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 1 box French vanilla cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 cup whole milk
- Pink gel food coloring
- Sky blue gel food coloring
- Black gel food coloring
- Purple gel food coloring
Frosting and Decorations
- 2 containers vanilla frosting
- 1 package unicorn horn sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a petit four baking pan with baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, canola oil, and whole milk until smooth and fully combined.
- Divide batter: Pour the cake batter evenly into four separate bowls to prepare for coloring.
- Color the batter: Add pink gel food coloring to the first bowl, sky blue to the second, purple to the third, and leave the fourth bowl uncolored for a natural vanilla shade.
- Fill pan cavities: Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of each colored batter into the petit four pan cavities, layering or arranging as desired to reflect a colorful mosaic.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes: Remove the petit fours from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare first frosting layer: Scoop one container of vanilla frosting into a medium bowl and microwave for 15–20 seconds until it becomes pourable.
- Glaze petit fours: Carefully pour the warmed frosting over the cooled petit fours, ensuring each one is completely coated with a smooth layer of frosting.
- Set frosting: Let the glazed petit fours sit until the frosting firms up and sets properly.
- Prepare colored frostings: Divide the second container of vanilla frosting into four bowls (about 1/4 cup each). Add pink gel food coloring to one, blue to another, purple to the third, and black to the fourth bowl, mixing each until fully combined.
- Fill piping bags: Transfer the pink and blue frostings into a piping bag fitted with a star tip for creating textured “hair.” Put the purple and black frostings into separate piping bags fitted with a number 2 tip for detail work.
- Pipe hair: Use the pink and blue star-tipped frostings to pipe flowing “hair” designs onto each petit four, creating a whimsical unicorn mane.
- Add hair details: Use the purple frosting with a small tip to pipe small dots within the hair for added dimension and color variation.
- Create eyes and details: Use the black frosting to pipe the eyes and other facial features on the front of each petit four, bringing the unicorns to life.
- Place unicorn horn: Gently place a unicorn horn sprinkle on top-center of each petit four as the finishing decorative touch.
- Let set: Allow the decorated petit fours to sit for about 30 minutes to let all frosting decorations firm up before serving and enjoying.
Notes
- Make sure the petit fours are completely cooled before pouring the melted frosting to prevent it from melting and sliding off.
- When dividing and coloring the batter, adjust the amount of gel coloring gradually for desired color intensity.
- Using piping bags with proper tips helps create neat and professional-looking details.
- Store petit fours in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Allow refrigerated petit fours to reach room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
