The Itsy-Bitsy Kitchen

recipes to feed your sweet tooth

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Cakes and Cupcakes / Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Pinterest image for ice cream cone cupcakes with text overlay

Homemade ice cream cone cupcakes are a fun and easy dessert for summer—a sweet chocolate cupcake is baked right into an ice cream cone and topped with vanilla buttercream. Who could resist?

Pinterest image for ice cream cone cupcakes with text overlay
Pinterest image for ice cream cone cupcakes with text overlay

ice cream cone cupcakes on a cake stand with a dish of sprinkles and more cupcakes behind it

OMG I’m so excited about today’s recipe! Does dessert get any cuter than a cupcake baked into an ice cream cone? NOPE!

These ice cream cone cupcakes are MADE FROM SCRATCH (except for the cones)! And the recipe is actually adapted from the first cookbook I ever owned, which I bought with my allowance when I was 7 (and which I still have to this day).

Some of the recipes in it are weird (like tuna wiggle—don’t ask) but these cupcakes never disappoint. Especially in the summer!

Why you’ll love these ice cream cone cupcakes:

  • They’re really easy to make
  • You don’t need a stand mixer!
  • The recipe is easily doubled if you need to serve a lot of people

How to make ice cream cone cupcakes

how to make ice cream cone cupcakes steps 1 and 2

  • Combine unsalted butter, water, and cocoa powder in a small saucepan
  • Stir constantly until butter is melted, then set aside

how to make ice cream cone cupcakes steps 3 and 4

  • Stir flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a a bowl
  • Add the chocolate mixture

ice cream cone cupcake batter steps 5 and 6

  • Stir to combine—the batter will be thick at this point!
  • Add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla and stir until smooth

Before you assemble your cupcakes BE SURE none of the cones have holes in them or the batter will leak out and make a mess. (I make these mistakes so you don’t have to!)

how to assemble ice cream cone cupcakes

  • Once you’ve ensured your cones are intact set each cone in a muffin cup
  • Fill the cones to within about an inch of the top of the cone and bake until a toothpick inserted into the cupcakes comes out clean

How to make vanilla frosting

Cool your cupcakes to room temp before you make the frosting, which is a simple vanilla American buttercream.

how to make vanilla frosting step by step

  • Beat unsalted butter until it’s creamy
  • Add powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and salt
  • Beat until smooth

And that’s it–it’s the easiest frosting ever.

Baker’s tip: To make chocolate frosting instead of vanilla frosting, substitute 1/3 cup of cocoa powder for 1/3 cup of the powdered sugar. Add it when you add the sugar; if your cocoa powder has a lot of clumps in it then sift it first.

Frost and decorate your cupcakes as desired. I used this open star tip and this piping bag, and of course I used rainbow jimmies and maraschino cherries too. (What’s an ice cream cone without sprinkles and cherries?)

But you could use mini chocolate chips or chopped peanuts or whatever you like to decorate them.

Can I make ice cream cone cupcakes ahead?

Ice cream cone cupcakes are best eaten the day they’re made because the cones get soggy if they sit very long.

But if you really have to, you can store them (loosely covered) in the fridge overnight after you’ve baked them. (Ideally you would bake them in the evening and serve the next morning.)

Don’t frost the cupcakes until you’re ready to serve though! The frosting makes the ice cream cones soggy.

Can I freeze ice cream cone cupcakes?

If you have uneaten cupcakes (which is a rarity but it happens) you can definitely store the frosted cones in the freezer.

I set my cones in a muffin tin, then pop them in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden the frosting. Once the frosting is set, I wrap them tightly and they last in the freezer for a couple of months.

They aren’t as good out of the freezer as when they’re freshly baked but they are still very tasty.

OK, so who’s making ice cream cone cupcakes this weekend? I’m coming over to your house—mine are all gone and it’s too hot to turn on the oven today. . .

A few more cupcake recipes
Easy Chocolate Cupcakes
Zucchini Cupcakes
Caramel Cupcakes
Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

one cupcake on a plate with a bite taken out of it in front of more cupcakes on a cake stand

Did you make these ice cream cone cupcakes? Hooray! Let me know what you think with a comment and a rating below. And post a pic on Insta! Tag @theitsybitsykitchen so I can see your creations!

5 from 9 votes
ice cream cone cupcakes on a cake stand with a dish of sprinkles and more cupcakes behind it
Print
Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
32 mins
Total Time
57 mins
 

Homemade ice cream cone cupcakes are a fun and easy dessert for summer—a sweet chocolate cupcake is baked right into an ice cream cone and topped with vanilla buttercream. 

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10
Author: Kelsie
Ingredients
Cupcakes
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk*
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 10 ice cream cones with flat bottoms
Frosting
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 2 1/2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 to 5 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • sprinkles and maraschino cherries if desired
Instructions
Cupcakes
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine the butter, water, and cocoa powder in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Stir constantly until the butter is completely melted. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  3. Stir the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Pour the chocolate-butter mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated (the batter will be thick).
  4. Add the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla and stir until smooth.
  5. Set an ice cream cone in each of 10 muffin cups. (Be sure none of the cones have holes in them or the batter will leak out and make a mess.)
  6. Fill each ice cream cone with cupcake batter to within about 1 inch from the top.
  7. Bake for 32 to 38 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Cool completely, then make the frosting.
Frosting
  1. Place the butter in a medium mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until very creamy. Add 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and the vanilla and salt.
  2. Beat on low to combine, then turn mixer to medium and beat until smooth. Add additional powdered sugar if frosting is too thin and additional milk if it’s too thick. Frost and decorate cupcakes as desired and serve.
  3. These cupcakes are best served the day they are made but they can be stored at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap, for about a day. (You can freeze tightly wrapped leftovers for up to 2 months.)

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes
  • *You can substitute 1/4 cup whole milk + 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar. Mix the two, let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, then you’re ready to use it in your cupcake batter.
  • For chocolate frosting, substitute 1/3 cup of cocoa powder for 1/3 cup of the powdered sugar.

Cupcakes adapted from Kids Cooking

Related

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    June 10, 2019 at 8:00 am

    These are amazing!! I’m sure they are a hit for all the bbqs and parties!!

    Reply
  2. Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says

    June 1, 2019 at 8:23 am

    These are SO cute Kelsie!! I have been wanting to try making these, and I am thinking these would be perfect for my nieces upcoming birthdays!! So FUN!!

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      June 3, 2019 at 6:02 am

      Thank, Kelly! They’re so fun and I think she’d love them 🙂

      Reply
  3. Carlee says

    May 30, 2019 at 10:24 am

    They are definitely super cute and remind me of childhood. I don’t think Little Dude has ever had an ice cream cone cupcake… I so need to change that!

    Reply
  4. John / Kitchen Riffs says

    May 29, 2019 at 8:12 am

    Fun recipe! These are SO cute! In fact I think the word I’m looking for is adorable. 🙂 Neat dish — thanks.

    Reply
  5. Laura says

    May 28, 2019 at 9:54 am

    5 stars
    Kelsie – these are adorable! They’d be great for a potluck and probably (a bit) less messy than traditional cupcakes! Also a kid birthday party!

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      May 28, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      Thank you, Laura!

      Reply
  6. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says

    May 28, 2019 at 8:07 am

    5 stars
    Kelsie, these are absolutely the cutest! I love this idea for a dessert when we have a large crowd, and my niece and nephews will love them. I also love that you still have a cookbook you bought when you were 7! I thought I started my collection early, but I was well into my teens. Hope you had a great long weekend!

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      May 28, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      Thank you, Leanne!

      Reply
  7. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    May 28, 2019 at 7:02 am

    5 stars
    I am with you! No dessert is cuter! I love how festive these are! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      May 28, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      Thank you, Annie!

      Reply
  8. Kim Lange says

    May 28, 2019 at 6:38 am

    These look so fun, adorable and perfect for birthday parties and summer outings at our house! The kids would definitely go ga-ga over them! Pinning!! xo

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      May 28, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      Thank you, Kim!

      Reply
  9. David @ Spiced says

    May 28, 2019 at 5:11 am

    5 stars
    Uhhh, tuna wiggle? I don’t want to ask, but I’m kinda curious. And I definitely don’t want to google that one. Ick. These ice cream cone cupcakes, though? I’m on board with these! What a fun idea, and these are perfect for summer parties in the backyard, too! I feel like my Mom used to make a similar cupcake when I was younger…but my memory is a bit fuzzy there. Either way, I love this version! CUPCAKES!!

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      May 28, 2019 at 5:26 pm

      It’s tuna in an ice cream cone. An ice cream cone! The only thing I’m eating from an ice cream cone is ice cream. Or cake. Thanks, David!

      Reply
  10. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

    May 27, 2019 at 6:57 pm

    5 stars
    Kelsie! These are ADORABLE. My kids would go absolutely nuts over them. Maybe if I bribe them with one of these, they’ll eat the “tuna wiggle” I make for dinner. Ha! Isn’t stuff from your childhood the funniest? I love the story of your first cookbook. And I LOVE THESE CUPCAKES!

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      May 28, 2019 at 5:26 pm

      Haha! I can’t imagine anyone eating something called tuna wiggle, cupcakes or not! Thanks, Katherine!

      Reply
  11. Marie says

    May 27, 2019 at 5:28 pm

    5 stars
    These are so adorable. I was literally making something like this last week – I wanted cake in an ice cream cone to turn upside down on a birthday cake – but I used waffle cones and my cake batter spewed out all over the oven. Next time, I’ll just try yours.

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      May 28, 2019 at 5:25 pm

      I wish I could figure out a way to bake these in waffle cones because I like them better :). Thanks, Marie!

      Reply
  12. Milena says

    May 27, 2019 at 9:56 am

    5 stars
    The cutest idea ever! I’ll be giving it a try this summer (I know there will be ovations:). Hope you had (are still having) a great Memorial Day weekend!

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      May 28, 2019 at 5:25 pm

      Aww thanks, Milena!

      Reply
  13. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

    May 27, 2019 at 9:42 am

    5 stars
    Oh I saw the picture first, and I told myself: “Oh wow. Kelsie has created some fancy ice cream!” Then I saw the title and told my: “Oh wow! Kelsie has created even fancier cupcakes! Indeed, I’ve never a cupcake idea like that. Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      May 28, 2019 at 5:24 pm

      Haha! Thank you, Ben!

      Reply
  14. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    May 27, 2019 at 4:20 am

    5 stars
    I can see why you’re excited!!! Not only do these look super cute, I bet they taste even better! My niece would love to make (and eat) these…just like me! Pinned 🙂 Happy Monday, Kelsie!

    Reply
    • Kelsie says

      May 28, 2019 at 5:24 pm

      Thanks, Dawn!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About

photo of Kelsie Roehl     Hey there! I’m Kelsie and this is where I share my buttery, sugary, and all-around delicious recipes. I LOVE to bake and I want you to love baking too, so all of my recipes are totally do-able for the home baker.  If you need a little dessert in your life, consider this your one-stop shop for anything sweet! Need a little more info? Here you go!

Social

Follow me on:

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Never miss a recipe!

Recent Posts

  • Coconut Fudge
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler
  • Raspberry Coconut Cake
  • Twix Cookies
  • Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge

Amazon Associates Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2023 · Daily Dish Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...