Cakes & CupcakesNo. 9950 · The 2026 edition
Glowing Mini Cupcakes
Glow-in-the-dark mini cupcakes? Yes, thanks to a secret ingredient—tonic water!
Our own summary of the original by Candace Braun Davison — the full post and photos live at delish.com.
These spooky treats start with chocolate cupcakes topped with white buttercream. A special glaze made with Jell-O and tonic water gives them an eerie green glow after a series of dips and freezes.
Ingredients
Directions
- Prepare the chocolate cupcakes using a box mix or your own favorite recipe, following the package or recipe instructions.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely, then spread a layer of vanilla buttercream frosting on each one. Place them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) until the frosting becomes firm.
- To make the glowing glaze: bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small pot. Whisk in the entire package of Jell-O (pineapple gives the brightest glow) until fully dissolved, then remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup of chilled tonic water and let the mixture cool to around room temperature, but not long enough for it to set. Gently shake the pot every few minutes to prevent thickening; this should take about 10–15 minutes.
- Dip the frosted top of each cupcake into the glaze, covering the frosting completely. Return the dipped cupcakes to the freezer for a few minutes to let the glaze harden. Repeat the dipping and freezing process four more times for an optimal glow effect, then serve immediately.
More photos
Photos hosted by delish.com.
