Football Cupcakes

Football season is here at last, and what better way to celebrate than with these super cute and easy football cupcakes? Imagine soft, moist cupcakes topped with bright green buttercream frosting that looks just like fresh grass, plus a little chocolate buttercream football complete with the classic white laces. These delightful treats are perfect for game days, party get-togethers, or that big Super Bowl celebration you’ve got planned!

Why You’ll Love These Easy Football Cupcakes

No matter if you’re a football fanatic or just love tasty snacks, these cupcakes will win over everyone. They taste amazing and have a fun, playful vibe perfect for kids and adults alike. The chocolate cupcakes are really simple to make—and here’s a little secret—you don’t even need a mixer! The buttercream frosting is just as easy to whip up. Honestly, you can use whatever cupcake recipe you prefer because these cupcakes truly shine with the frosting and cute decorating on top.

Let’s talk decorating because it’s so quick and totally beginner-friendly. These cupcakes look fancy, but they’re really easy to pull off! You just pipe a fun squiggly football shape, add some lines for the laces, and then pipe lots of “grass” around it with a special piping tip. It’s also a perfect way to get the kids involved, so you can all have some giggles and crafty fun together!

What You’ll Need

Cupcakes

Like I said, you can use any cupcake recipe you love—even store-bought cupcakes work well! For this batch, I went with my favorite homemade chocolate cupcakes for that rich, deep flavor you just can’t beat. Not into chocolate? Try vanilla instead. I have two great vanilla recipes: one uses butter for that classic taste, and the other is oil-based, which makes cupcakes super moist. Feeling adventurous? Marble cupcakes that mix chocolate and vanilla are fun too.

You could also try red velvet cupcakes for a pop of color or funfetti cupcakes to add sprinkles of excitement. Want to get festive? Swap out sprinkles to match your favorite team’s colors! And since fall is creeping up, pumpkin cupcakes make a cozy, tasty choice.

If you’re sticking to my chocolate cupcake recipe, here’s what you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour – Measure your flour carefully to get the best cupcake texture. I love using a kitchen scale, but the spoon-and-level method works great too.
• Sugar – Good old granulated sugar does the trick perfectly.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – Regular unsweetened cocoa powder is my go-to. You can use Dutch-process cocoa, but your cupcakes might not rise as much, so either fill your liners a bit more or expect a slightly smaller batch.
• Baking soda – Don’t skip this one! It’s the secret to soft, fluffy cupcakes.
• Salt – A little pinch helps bring out all the other flavors—without it, your cupcakes could turn out kind of bland.
• Egg – Use large eggs for the best texture. Medium or extra-large eggs can throw things off a little.
• Milk – Whole or 2% milk works great here. Buttermilk’s a nice option, too—it adds a bit of tang and makes the cupcakes extra tender. Either way, your cupcakes will stay moist.
• Vegetable oil – Oil keeps cupcakes moist and means no need to cream butter, so no mixer required!
• Vanilla extract – A splash of vanilla adds warmth and depth to every bite.
• Hot water – This lets the cocoa powder “bloom,” making the chocolate flavor super deep and rich. You can use cooler water, but the chocolate won’t be quite as bold, and the cupcakes might lose a little moisture.

Buttercream

• Unsalted butter – Make sure it’s room temperature for smooth, creamy frosting with no lumps.
• Powdered sugar – This gives your frosting that fluffy, thick texture perfect for piping. Feel free to adjust the amount a bit, but keep it thick enough to hold its shape.
• Vanilla extract – Classic vanilla flavor makes buttercream sing.
• Heavy whipping cream – You can swap in milk, but heavy cream makes frosting extra silky and rich.
• Salt – Just a pinch balances the sweetness so your frosting isn’t too sugary.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – I use regular unsweetened cocoa powder for chocolate buttercream, but if you want a richer chocolate flavor, try a darker one.
• Green gel icing color – Gel colors like Wilton or Americolor are my favorites. Americolor’s squeeze bottles are especially handy when you want to control how much color you add.

Supplies

Before we start decorating, gather these tools to make the process smooth and fun. Having the right supplies helps you get the look just right:

• Piping Bags – You can find sturdy piping bags at Walmart, Michaels, or Hobby Lobby. I prefer Wilton brand because they hold up well. Avoid flimsy bags—they can be frustrating to work with.
• Couplers – These little things fit between your piping tip and bag. They make switching tips easy without emptying your frosting. Wilton’s couplers work well, but most brands and craft stores have them.
• Wilton tip 21 – Perfect for piping the football shapes. Easy to find at craft stores.
• Wilton tip 3 – Or use #2 or #4 for the laces. You can pick the thickness you like best.
• Wilton tip 233 – This is the “grass tip” that creates the cool grass effect around your footballs.

How To Make Football Cupcakes

You’ve got everything ready—ingredients, tools, and probably a bowl of eager taste-testers nearby. Now, let’s turn those cupcakes into game-day stars! Decorating is surprisingly easy, and believe me, your friends will be impressed.

Start by filling a piping bag with chocolate buttercream and fit it with the Wilton 21 tip. Hold the bag at about a 45° angle just above the cupcake surface. Pipe a zig-zag shape that looks like a football—narrow at one end, wider in the middle, then taper off again at the other end. This football shape will sit perfectly on top of your cupcake, making everyone smile.

Next up, take a large piping bag filled with green buttercream and attach the Wilton 233 grass tip. Pipe grass all around the football by squeezing and holding the bag close to the cupcake. Lift the tip gently upwards while still squeezing to create those taller grass blades, then release pressure, pulling the tip away. Keep going until you have a nice grassy border surrounding your football cupcake.

Last but not least, grab a small piping bag filled with white buttercream topped with the Wilton 3 tip. Pipe the white laces on each football. Start by drawing one long line down the center of the football shape, then add three shorter lines crossing it to mimic the laces on a real football. It’s the perfect finishing touch!

And just like that, you have a batch of adorable, delicious football cupcakes ready to wow your friends and family. Now you can kick back, relax, and enjoy the game with some seriously tasty treats in hand!

How to Store These Cupcakes

To keep your cupcakes fresh and looking their best, store them in an airtight cupcake carrier or place them in a single layer inside a container that’s tall enough to protect that gorgeous frosting. You can leave them on your kitchen counter at room temperature for up to 24 hours. If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to dig in, let refrigerated cupcakes sit out for a bit so the frosting softens up and tastes just like it did fresh out of the piping bag!