I love baking things that surprise people and evoke questions like "how did you do that?!" These Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes are a great way to trick and delight your family and friends. They look exactly like mini ice creams, but in fact hidden inside the cone is cake and the 'ice cream' on top is buttercream! You'll be surprised at how easy they are to make too, it's just a normal cupcake recipe but you bake them inside the cones which are wrapped in foil to protect them in the oven. If you make sure to buy the ice cream cones with the flat bottoms they will stand upright for easy baking and displaying. Then your Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes will be ready for all your summer parties and events!
Step by step...
To start, I prepared the ice cream cones by cut out strips of foil and wrapping them around each cone. I placed my cones into a cupcake tin.
To make the cupcake batter I started by creaming together the butter and sugar, then I whisked in the eggs and vanilla extract.
Then I added the self raising flour and whisked until smooth.
I divided the mixture between the cones, and baked them for 25 minutes until golden.
For the buttercream I mixed the icing sugar and butter together, then added vanilla extract and whisked until smooth. I piped it onto the Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes using a star nozzle for the ice cream effect, then I added chocolate flake and sprinkles.
I really love the texture of the crunchy cone against the soft cake and the sweet buttercream. My boyfriend scoffed down a few of the Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes and my brother was a big fan too. As expected, I got plenty of questions about how I did it from my friends and colleagues!
Vanilla is always a winning flavour, but you could do a chocolate cupcake recipe instead, or add some lemon zest to the sponge. You could also add strawberry or chocolate sauce to decorate. There really is so many ways to be creative with this base recipe!
Recommended equipment & ingredients*
| Cupcake tin | Electric hand mixer | Piping bags |
| Flake bar | Jem 1E Piping nozzle | Ice cream cones |
| Mixing bowls | Cooling rack | Kitchen scales |
*I earn a small amount of money if you buy the products after clicking on the links. You will not be charged anything extra for this. Thank you for supporting The Baking Explorer!
Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the sponge
- 12 Flat bottomed ice cream cones
- 175 g Butter or baking spread
- 175 g Caster sugar
- 3 Eggs large
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 175 g Self raising flour
For the buttercream
- 200 g Butter or baking spread
- 400 g Icing sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
For decoration
- 4 Chocolate flakes, cut into thirds optional
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 160C Fan/180C/350F/Gas Mark 4, cut out strips of foil and wrap them around the ice cream cone. You don't need to cover the bottom with foil. Place them into a cupcake tin
- Cream together the butter and caster sugar, using a silicone or wooden spoon, until smooth
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk well
- Whisk in the self raising flour
- Divide the mixture between the 12 cones
- Bake them for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out clean. Carefully remove the foil and leave to cool completely, preferably on a cooling rack
- Make the buttercream by mixing together the butter and icing sugar, then add the vanilla extract and mix until smooth. You can do this by hand or with an electric whisk
- Pipe the buttercream onto each cupcake using a piping bag fitted with a nozzle. Or spread on with a spoon
- Insert a third of a chocolate flake into each one and add your choice of sprinkles, then get ready to surprise your family and friends!
If you like this, check out more of my Cupcake recipes!
Pin for later!
Jacqui Bellefontaine
These are such fun and would be fabulous for a kiddis party too bad my kiddies are all grown. Might just have to make them for fun anyway. Thank you for linking to #CookBlogShare
thebakingexplorer
Oh yes, they're fun for kids old and young!
Lesley Garden
What a great idea, these would make a fab addition to my kids Birthday parties. Lovely photos too. Thank you for sharing to CookBlogShare
thebakingexplorer
Thanks Lesley! Yes they'd great for a party 🙂
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery
I LOVE baking cakes inside ice cream cones! It looks so cute & infinitely customisable! They'd be amazing for a baby shower or birthday party! Thanks for sharing! #cookblogshare
thebakingexplorer
Yes totally customisable! I love that part about them 😀
Jenny Walters
You are so creative!These are fabulous and such fun.My daughter would squeal with delight if I made these.Love your instructions too. Very easy to follow. Maybe even I could give them a go!!thankyou for sharing at #FiestaFriday
thebakingexplorer
Thanks Jenny! Let me know if you do!
Cat | Curly's Cooking
So cute and perfect for the summer, especially for kids who will love these.
thebakingexplorer
Thanks Cat, yes they're sure to be a hit with the kids!
Amy
Oh my goodness, these cupcakes are so cute. Thank you for sharing on Mix it up Monday.
thebakingexplorer
Thanks Amy!
Helen Costello
Oh so cute! Love them with sprinkles on. Thanks so much for joining in with #Bakeoftheweek
thebakingexplorer
Thanks Helen! I love how you can decorate them any way you want 😀
Julie
Tried these but my cones went soggy. Any suggestions?? Why would they do that?
thebakingexplorer
Soggy after being baked? Or were they stored for a while before being eaten? If you didn't let them cool enough, and put them in an air tight container then that would make them soggy because of the residual heat creating moisture in the tub. Besides that, I have no idea why this would happen, unless it's to do with the quality of the cones. I think the brand I used is called Askeys.
Tom Baker
Looked amazing when made - 10/10
Amy
Baked these and my friends and family went crazy for them! Thankfully no one was too disappointed that they weren’t actually ice cream because they were just so delicious!
Surprisingly easy to make considering how incredible they look. Will definitely be making these again soon (I have to, my first batch we’re gone in less than a day!)
thebakingexplorer
I'm so happy to hear this Amy!! Thanks so much for letting me know 😀
Mari
These look sooo goood! I love cupcakes 😀 x Thank you for putting this post together!
Diana
How do you make these without being soggy?
thebakingexplorer
Hi Diana, did you make them and part of it went soggy? The cone might go soft around the top where the buttercream touches it after a little while, be beside that there should not be any soggyness.
Alicia
Do you have to make them on the day? Or can they made the day before needed?
thebakingexplorer
Hi Alicia, they can be made the day before. Just keep them in a cool, dry place and in an airtight container.
Sophie
Absolutely LOVED this recipe! Super easy to follow and loved the pictures alongside. First time making these and I will definitely be making again!!
thebakingexplorer
Thanks so much for the lovely feedback Sophie!
Emily
Such an easy to follow recipe and they look so impressive. I took them to a birthday gathering recently and everyone was amazed with them! They tasted delicious and I love that you can decorate them to your preference. I will be making these again!