Lucky Charms Cupcakes

Lucky Charms aren’t just for breakfast! These Lucky Charms Cupcakes are the ultimate nostalgic treat! Made with a simple boxed cake mix and a few easy upgrades, these cupcakes are light, fluffy, and filled with colorful cereal pieces. A smooth and creamy buttercream frosting makes them extra special, and a sprinkle of Lucky Charms marshmallows on top adds the perfect finishing touch. 

Let me introduce my Lucky Charms Cupcakes. Aren’t they the best? They’re soft, fluffy, and filled with bits of cereal, topped with a dreamy buttercream, and finished with the iconic marshmallow pieces we all know and love. While they’re perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, I say there’s no need to wait for a holiday to make something this fun.

The best part? They come together quickly thanks to a simple boxed cake mix with a few easy upgrades to make them taste extra special. If you’re short on time but still want a treat that looks like it came straight from a bakery, this recipe is for you. Whether you’re making them for a party, a school treat, or just because, these cupcakes bring a little nostalgia and a whole lot of joy in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• These cupcakes are pure fun! From the colorful Lucky Charms cereal baked right into the batter to the whimsical sprinkle of marshmallows on top, they bring a little extra magic to any occasion. Whether you’re making them for St. Patrick’s Day or just because, they’re guaranteed to brighten the day.
• Starting with a boxed cake mix keeps things simple while still delivering a delicious, moist cupcake. A few easy tweaks—like swapping water for milk and adding vanilla—give the cupcakes a homemade touch without the extra effort. It’s an easy upgrade that makes all the difference.
• The buttercream frosting is perfectly smooth and creamy, with just the right amount of sweetness to complement the cereal’s crunch. The addition of almond extract gives it a subtle depth of flavor that makes it taste extra special. Plus, it’s easy to pipe or spread, so decorating is stress-free.
• Lucky Charms are a nostalgic favorite, and this recipe is a playful way to enjoy them in a whole new form. Whether you’re baking for kids or just feeling like a kid yourself, these cupcakes bring back all those childhood memories—no cereal bowl required!

Ingredients

Let’s gather up all the ingredients you’ll need to make these magical Lucky Charms Cupcakes.

Cupcakes

• White Cake Mix – A simple and reliable base that makes these cupcakes quick and easy to whip up while still tasting delicious. A few small tweaks help give it a homemade touch.
• Milk – Swapping milk for water in the cake mix adds richness and a more tender texture, making the cupcakes taste even better.
• Egg Whites – Using only egg whites keeps the cupcakes light and fluffy while maintaining their bright white color.
• Oil – Helps keep the cupcakes moist and soft, ensuring a tender crumb that stays fresh longer.
• Vanilla Extract – A splash of vanilla deepens the flavor of the cake, making it taste more like a bakery-style cupcake.
• Lucky Charms Cereal – The star of the show! The cereal pieces add a fun crunch inside the cupcakes, while the iconic marshmallows bring bursts of color and sweetness.

Buttercream Frosting

• Vegetable Shortening (Crisco) – Helps stabilize the frosting, giving it a smooth texture and helping it hold its shape, especially if you’re piping.
• Unsalted Butter – Adds creaminess and a rich buttery flavor that balances the sweetness of the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract – Enhances the overall flavor of the frosting with a warm, sweet touch.
• Almond Extract – A small but mighty addition that gives the frosting a subtle, nutty depth and bakery-style taste.
• Kosher Salt – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and bring out the flavors in the frosting.
• Confectioners’ Sugar – Creates a smooth, sweet frosting that’s light and fluffy while still sturdy enough for piping.
• Milk – Used to adjust the consistency of the frosting, making it silky and spreadable.
• Food Coloring (Optional) – A fun way to customize the frosting and match the colorful, whimsical vibe of these cupcakes. I like the AmeriColor Gel food coloring.
• Lucky Charms Cereal (for garnish) – The perfect finishing touch! The marshmallows add a pop of color and a bit of crunch, making these cupcakes instantly recognizable and extra fun.

How to Make

Let’s bake! I’ll still take you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line two cupcake pans with paper liners.
2. Begin by preparing your cupcakes according to the box directions. For this particular mix, combine the cake mix, milk, eggs whites, oil, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. With your mixer on medium speed, beat for about two minutes. (I used Duncan Hines Classic White Cake mix. I substituted milk for the water and added 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Please follow the directions on your particular package.)
3. With the batter ready, gently fold in 2 cups of Lucky Charms cereal until combined.

4. Bake the cupcakes for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for about five minutes. Then, remove the cupcakes from the pan to continue cooling.

5. Meanwhile, prepare the buttercream frosting. In a bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the vegetable shortening and butter for 3-4 minutes. Flavor with vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. Mix to combine. With the mixer on low, begin slowly adding the confectioners’ sugar, about one cup at a time. Slowly add the milk as needed to achieve the desired consistency. Add food coloring to adjust the color.

6. Use a piping bag and star tip to frost the cooled cupcakes. (Alternatively, you can skip the piping process and use a knife or spatula to frost.)

7. Finally simple garnish with more Lucky Charms cereal.

And voila! Skip the pot of gold. I’ll take a dozen of these at the end of my rainbow. There’s something about Lucky Charms that just makes you feel like a kid again, and these cupcakes capture that magic in the best way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Absolutely! While white cake mix helps the colors of the Lucky Charms marshmallows stand out, a vanilla or yellow cake mix would also work well. Even a funfetti mix could add extra color and whimsy!

Will the Lucky Charms cereal stay crunchy in the cupcakes?

The marshmallows soften slightly as they bake, giving them a chewy, almost candy-like texture, while the cereal pieces become tender but still hold some structure. If you love the crunch, add extra marshmallows on top right before serving.

How should I store leftover cupcakes?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate them, but let them sit out for a bit before serving so the frosting softens.

Can I use all butter instead of shortening in the frosting?

You can! The frosting will still be delicious, but shortening helps stabilize it, especially if you’re piping it or if the cupcakes will be sitting out for a while.

More Colorful Cakes You’ll Love

• Strawberry Crunch Cake
• Funfetti Coffee Cake
• Vegetable Garden Mini Cakes
• Cake In A Jar
• Krunch Kote Peanut Butter Cupcakes
• Surprise-Inside Cupcakes

And yes, they’re magically delicious! I hope you enjoyed this easy and fun recipe. If you like Lucky Charms and cupcakes as much as I do, you’ll definitely want to give these a try. Happy Baking!

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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Lucky Charms Cupcakes

Baked with Lucky Charms cereal, these Lucky Charms Cupcakes are a creative and tasty St. Patrick’s Day treat.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cake, cupcakes, dessert, lucky charms, st patrick’s day

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 21 minutes minutes

Total Time: 36 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 cupcakes

Calories: 277kcal

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 cup milk
• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups Lucky Charms cereal

Buttercream Frosting

• 1/2 cup vegetable shorting (Crisco)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• pinch kosher salt
• 8 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 – 3/4 cup milk
• Food coloring optional
• About 2 cups Luck Charms cereal for garnish

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line two cupcake pans with paper liners.
• Begin by preparing your cupcakes according to the box directions. For this particular mix, combine the cake mix, milk, eggs whites, oil, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. With your mixer on medium speed, beat for about two minutes. (I used Duncan Hines Classic White Cake mix. I substituted milk for the water and added 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Please follow the directions on your particular package.)
• With the batter ready, gently fold in 2 cups of Lucky Charms cereal until combined.
• Bake the cupcakes for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for about five minutes. Then, remove the cupcakes from the pan to continue cooling.
• Meanwhile, prepare the buttercream frosting. In a bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the vegetable shortening and butter for 3-4 minutes. Flavor with vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. Mix to combine. With the mixer on low, begin slowly adding the confectioners’ sugar, about one cup at a time. Slowly add the milk as needed to achieve the desired consistency. Add food coloring to adjust the color.
• Use a piping bag and star tip to frost the cooled cupcakes. (Alternatively, you can skip the piping process and use a knife or spatula to frost.) Garnish with Lucky Charms cereal.

Nutrition

Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg