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  • Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Home » Party Planning

    Mermaid Birthday Party Cupcakes

    Published: Aug 7, 2015 · Modified: Jul 26, 2022 by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

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    Earlier in the week I shared these Clam Shell Cookies that I made for a mermaid birthday party for my twins. Today I am showing you how to make these mermaid tail cupcakes. If you are planning a mermaid party, these are a must. While it may look like the tail is made from a mold, it is actually piped candy melts. This technique will work with your favorite cupcake recipes so bake up a batch and make some mermaid birthday party cupcakes!

    These mermaid birthday party cupcakes are a must! Find out how to make them plus get the free printable template to make the tails. Make a splash at your mermaid party!

    Mermaid BirthdaParty Cupcakes

    You will need:

    • Cupcakes
    • Wilton white candy melts
    • Wilton Primary Candy Color Set
    • Small zip top bags
    • Wax paper
    • Permamant marker
    • Mermaid tail template
    • Green sprinkles
    • Frosting
    • Blue food coloring
    • Cupcake decorating kits with bags and tips
    • White pearl nonpareils

    I was inspired to make these by these mermaid tail cupcakes I saw. I made some changes with the frosting technique and by adding the nonpareils, but I think they turned out just as cute! Through trial and error I created my own mermaid tail. I drew bigger and smaller ones and this is the size that works best. To save you some work, I have included a free printable of the mermaid tail.

    To get the free mermaid tail template click here.

    mermaid tail

    Cut out your template and use a permanent marker to trace some tails on wax paper. When you fill these in with melted candy make sure you do so on the other side.

    mermaid tail template

    You will want to make the mermaid tails a few days before you need them because they are time consuming. Melt some candy melts in a bowl following package directions. You will be doing this in batches. I melted a cup at a time. When the candy melts have melted, add in your candy color. Please do not attempt to use regular food coloring with candy melts. It will ruin the consistency of the candy. I know this from personal experience. You can add as much or as little green food coloring as you like to get to your desired tail shade. Keep in mind that a little goes a LONG way so start with the smallest amount  and add from there.

    mermaid cupcakes

    Take a small zip top bag and cut a tiny triangle off the corner. Fill the bag with the melted/colored candy. You will be using this bag as a pastry bag. I must warm you that this mixture will harden quickly so you want to make these tails as fast as you can. Once you are out of melted candy in the bag, you need to dispose of the bag and use a new one for the rest of the tails. Unfortunately, you cannot use the same bag over and over because the candy hardens.

    mermaid party cupcakes

    Outline your mermaid tail template on the opposite side that you drew the tail on. My advice here is to use more chocolate than you think you will need. When I tried to skimp on the melted candy, the tails were too thin and broke when they were dry. Be sure to fill in the most narrow part of the tail with enough melted candy as that is where breaks will occur.  I started out outlining the tail first and then filling it in. Don't worry if it looks messy, you'll be covering the tail with sprinkles.

    chocolate mermaid tail

    Before the candy melts harden, shake on some green sprinkles. Set the tails out on the counter to harden. Mine did within 30 minutes. Be sure they are completely hardened before you take them off the wax paper. To remove the tails from the wax paper you can carefully lift an edge with your finger or slide and index card underneath to loosen it. If the tail breaks, you have made it too thin. I popped these in the refrigerator for a few days until I needed them.

    mermaid tails


    These  mermaid cupcakes can be made with any kind of cupcake recipe. So pick your favorite and frost them with some white frosting colored with blue food coloring. Use a pastry bag and an open star tip to pipe on the frosting in a circular motion. Sprinkle on some white pearl nonpareils.

    mermaid party cupcakes for kids

    Insert the mermaid tail into the middle of the cupcake. Push it down a little bit to make sure it doesn't fall over. Now how cool is that?

    mermaid tail cupcakes

    These mermaid birthday party cupcakes were the hit of our mermaid party. I think they turned out darling. Were they a lot of work? Yes, but you can make the tails ahead of time. And I'll let you in on a little secret. I made the cupcakes a few days before the party and froze them. I defrosted them the day before and then decorated them. They were still just as yummy and fresh and no one knew the difference.

    mermaid party

    Mermaid Birthday Party Cupcakes

    These mermaid birthday party cupcakes are a must! Find out how to make them plus get the free printable template to make the tails. Make a splash at your mermaid party!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin
    Course: Cupcakes
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 35 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 312kcal
    Author: Vicky

    Ingredients

    • 12 Cupcakes
    • Wilton white candy melts
    • Wilton Primary Candy Color Set
    • Small zip top bags
    • Wax paper
    • Permanent marker
    • Mermaid tail template
    • Green sprinkles
    • Frosting
    • Blue food coloring
    • Cupcake decorating kits with bags and tips
    • White pearl nonpareils

    Instructions

    • Print out the mermaid tail template, trace and cut.
    • Melt some candy melts in a bowl following package directions.
    • When the candy melts have melted, add in your candy color.
    • Take a small zip top bag and cut a tiny triangle off the corner. Fill the bag with the melted/colored candy.
    • Outline your mermaid tail template on the opposite side that you drew the tail on and fill in with the candy melts.
    • Before the candy melts harden, shake on some green sprinkles.
    • Use your favorite cupcake recipe and bake.
    • When cool frost cupcakes with some white frosting colored with blue food coloring.
    • Use a pastry bag and an open star tip to pipe on the frosting in a circular motion.
    • Sprinkle on some white pearl nonpareils.
    • Insert the mermaid tail into the middle of the cupcake.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg
    Try this Recipe! Pin it for Later.Mention @vickycat or tag #messforless!

    For more birthday party cupcakes check out:

    Popcorn Cupcakes                       

    Rainbow Cupcakes Tutorial

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

    Easter Activities and Recipes

    • Stained Glass Easter Cookie Recipe
    • How to Make Spotted Easter Eggs
    • M&M Easter Cookies
    • Shaving Cream Easter Eggs

    Spring Activities

    • How to Make a Mother's Day Card
    • DIY Seed Starter for Kids
    • Flower Craft Idea
    • How to Make a Paper Butterfly - Easy Craft for Kids

    Popular Recipes

    • Crack Chicken Casserole
    • Overnight Egg Casserole
    • Toasted Italian Sandwich - Food Fun Friday
    • Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

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