# Ingredient List:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Blue gel food coloring
→ Fondant Fish Toppers
14 - 8 ounces white fondant
15 - Gel food coloring in blue, green, orange, and yellow
16 - Edible black marker or black food coloring
17 - Cornstarch for dusting
# Recipe Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk in three additions. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
06 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes completely.
07 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla extract. Add milk as needed to reach a fluffy, spreadable consistency. Tint with blue gel food coloring to desired shade.
08 - Divide white fondant into separate portions. Tint each with desired gel food coloring using blue, green, orange, and yellow. Knead until color is evenly distributed.
09 - Shape small ovals from fondant for fish bodies and flatten slightly. Form tiny triangles for tails and fins. Attach fins and tails to bodies using a small amount of water as adhesive.
10 - Use edible black marker or a tiny brush with black food coloring to carefully dot eyes on each fondant fish.
11 - Place finished fondant fish on parchment paper and allow to air-dry for at least 2 hours or until firm.
12 - Frost cooled cupcakes with blue buttercream, swirling to resemble water. Place one fondant fish topper on each cupcake.
