These adorable football cupcakes are the perfect treat for your next tailgate party. Rich vanilla cupcakes are topped with fun football themed decorations, made from Tootsie Rolls and vanilla frosting.
![football cupcakes](https://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/football-cupcakes-8.jpg)
I just love football season!
Not because I'm really a huge football fan, but because I'm a huge fan of tailgate parties.
So this past weekend I decided to try my hand at a special treat - football cupcakes! And I have to say, they turned out pretty darn cute.
Plus, they were incredibly easy to make. And decorating the tootsie roll footballs makes for a fun family project.
![football cupcakes ready to serve](https://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/football-cupcakes-11-600x442.jpg)
Let's Make Football Cupcakes!
You'll start off by making a batch of simple vanilla cupcakes. The full recipe is below, and it's one I've used tons of times.
![getting ready to decorate football cupcakes](https://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/football-cupcakes-600x435.jpg)
When your cupcakes are ready, be sure to let them cool completely before starting on the football decorations.
Start off by adding a layer of chocolate frosting to each cupcake. If you want to make your own, you can try out this vegan chocolate ganache frosting.
![frosting football cupcakes with chocolate frosting](https://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/football-cupcakes-2-600x404.jpg)
Then comes the fun part!
We're going to make the tops of these football cupcakes out of tootsie rolls. Because who doesn't love tootsie rolls?
Place two tootsie rolls at a time on a paper plate, and microwave them for about 8 seconds.
While they are nice and pliable, roll them into a single ball.
![rolling tootsie rolls into football shapes](https://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/football-cupcakes-3-600x450.jpg)
Use a glass dish, or some other flat object, to flatten the ball into a thin pancake-like shape.
![making football toppers for football cupcakes](https://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/football-cupcakes-4-600x437.jpg)
Place your flattened tootsie roll on top of one of your football cupcakes, like a little hat. Repeat this process for each cupcake.
![adding tootsie roll tops to football cupcakes](https://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/football-cupcakes-5-600x432.jpg)
When all of your cupcakes have their football top in place, use some vanilla frosting to draw the hash marks onto each football.
![drawing hash marks on football cupcakes](https://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/football-cupcakes-6-600x422.jpg)
This will be easiest if you use a disposable piping bag. I love that I can just toss them out when I'm done. I used a size 3 frosting tip for mine!
And there you have it - the cutest little football cupcakes I've ever seen. Wasn't that easy?
![decorated football cupcake](https://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/football-cupcakes-7-600x442.jpg)
More Football Party Recipes
Like I said, tailgates are kind of my thing. So I have quite a collection of football party worthy recipes on the site.
If you're looking for some hearty finger foods for that buffet table, some of my favorites are:
And if your'e looking for some creative dips for your next football party, check out these:
- Baked Goat Cheese Dip with Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes
- Chickpea-Tomato Dip
- Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Dip
Recipe
![](https://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Football-Cupcakes-1200px-square.jpg)
Ingredients
For Chocolate Cupcake Mix:
- 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ⅔ cups sugar
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup instant dry milk nonfat
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cup water
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
For Football Cupcake Decorations:
- Chocolate Frosting
- White Frosting
- 1 large package of Tootsie Roll Midgies
Equipment Needed:
- Wilton size 3 frosting tip
- Disposable piping bag
- Flat bottomed glass dish
- Cupcake Liners
Instructions
- Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl - flour, sugar, cocoa powder, instant dry milk, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Whisk the wet ingredients in a separate bowl - water, oil, eggs and vanilla.
- Combine the dry and wet ingredients and whisk until well combined and smooth.
- Place cupcake liners in pans for 24 cupcakes. Fill each cup ⅔ full with cupcake batter.
- Bake at 350 degrees (F), for 18-20 minutes. They are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.
- Once the cupcakes are cooled, generously frost each one with chocolate frosting.
- Open the Tootsie Rolls and discard the wrappers. Take 2 Tootsie Rolls at a time and place on a paper plate. Place in the microwave and heat for about 8 seconds. Remove from the microwave and gently roll into a ball.
- Use the bottom of the glass dish to gently press the Tootsie roll down into a flat circular shape.
- Place the flattened tootsie roll on top of a frosted cupcake. Repeat this process for each cupake.
- Once all the cupcakes have a Tootsie Roll top, attach the size 3 round frosting tip to the disposable piping bag and add a few scoops of white frosting. Gently squeeze the frosting out of the bag draw the hash marks on the footballs. Repeat with all cupcakes.
Debbie Wright says
https://bakedbroiledandbasted.com/20-winning-game-day-recipes/Thanks for sharing your fabulous recipe ..YUMM!!
Nicole says
Thanks so much for including my cupcakes! Love the recipe collection - can't wait to try them out this football season. 🙂