If you’re looking to sprinkle some magic into your baking routine, this Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe is exactly what you need. These bite-sized cakes are bursting with enchanting colors and whimsical decorations that will make anyone’s day brighter. Not only are they visually stunning with their pastel hues and charming unicorn details, but they also deliver a moist, fluffy vanilla flavor that’s perfect for parties, gifts, or a delightful treat just because. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a fairy tale come to life on your plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind these petit fours lies in a handful of simple, essential ingredients. Each one plays a vital role: the cake mix provides that soft, vanilla base; the eggs and milk add moistness and richness; and the gel food coloring brings the vibrant, whimsical palette to life. Don’t forget the frosting and unicorn horn sprinkles for decorating; they transform these little cakes into charming masterpieces.
- French vanilla cake mix: The foundation of these petit fours, offering a classic, fluffy vanilla flavor.
- 3 large eggs: Helps bind the batter and contribute to a tender crumb.
- 1/2 cup canola oil: Adds moistness without overpowering the vanilla taste.
- 1 cup whole milk: Enhances the batter’s richness and helps achieve the perfect texture.
- Pink, sky blue, black, and purple gel food coloring: These concentrated colors create the signature unicorn look without watering down the batter or frosting.
- 2 containers vanilla frosting: One for coating the cakes and one for creating the colorful piped decorations.
- Unicorn horn sprinkles: The adorable finishing touch that gives each petit four its magical personality.
How to Make Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Make sure to give your petit four baking pan a good spray with Pam or any baking spray to ensure your cakes pop right out without sticking. This prep sets you up for success and easy cleanup.
Step 2: Mix Your Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, canola oil, and whole milk until everything is smooth and combined. This mixture is the base for your cake, so don’t rush it—make sure the ingredients are fully blended for a consistent texture.
Step 3: Divide and Color the Batter
Pour the smooth batter evenly into four separate bowls. This is where the fun begins! Add a few drops of pink gel to the first bowl, sky blue to the second, purple to the third, and leave the fourth bowl uncolored to keep that classic vanilla shade.
Step 4: Fill and Bake
Using a teaspoon, carefully spoon one teaspoon of each colored batter into each cavity of your petit four pan. This layering creates a beautiful, confetti-like effect once baked. Pop the pan into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 5: Cool Your Cakes
Once baked, gently remove your petit fours from the pan onto a wire rack. Patience is key here—let them cool completely before frosting for that perfect finish.
Step 6: Prepare the Base Frosting
Scoop one container of vanilla frosting into a microwave-safe bowl and warm it for 15 to 20 seconds until it becomes pourable. This creates a smooth glaze that will coat your petit fours beautifully.
Step 7: Frosting Time
Carefully pour or spread this warmed frosting over your cooled petit fours, making sure each cake is fully covered. Let them sit until the frosting firms up, which sets the perfect base for your artistic decorating.
Step 8: Color Your Decorative Frosting
Divide the second container of frosting into four smaller bowls—about a quarter cup each. Tint them with the same gels you used for the batter: pink, sky blue, purple, and black. Mix until each color is evenly blended and rich.
Step 9: Pipe the Unicorn Features
Fill two piping bags: one fitted with a star tip holding the pink and blue frosting, and another with a number 2 tip containing the purple and black frosting. Use the pink and blue to create swirly “hair” atop your petit fours. Dot the hair with purple frosting for a whimsical touch, then pipe delicate black eyes on the front for that magical unicorn expression.
Step 10: Add the Final Magical Touch
Carefully place one unicorn horn sprinkle on top of each petit four, right in the center. Let the frosting firm up for about 30 minutes before digging in. Your charming little unicorns are ready to impress!
How to Serve Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe
Garnishes
A few additional decorations can elevate the presentation even more! Consider sprinkling edible glitter or tiny pastel confetti sprinkles around your petit fours for sparkle. Fresh edible flowers or mini fondant stars can make the display even more enchanting for special occasions.
Side Dishes
These petit fours pair wonderfully with a light cup of tea or sparkling lemonade for a refreshing complement. For a dessert table, serve alongside a fruit platter, pastel macarons, or mini cupcakes to complete your magical spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try a whimsical presentation by arranging the petit fours on a multi-tiered cake stand or a mirrored tray to catch all their colors. Wrapping individual cakes in clear boxes tied with pastel ribbons makes for delightful party favors or gifts that will wow friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, store your unicorn petit fours in an airtight container at room temperature if you plan to eat them within 1 to 2 days. The frosting and cake stay fresh and moist, especially if you keep them away from heat and direct sunlight.
Freezing
Want to save some magic for later? You can freeze unfrosted petit fours wrapped individually in plastic wrap and placed in a sealed freezer bag for up to 2 months. Just thaw completely before frosting and decorating for best results.
Reheating
Since these petit fours are best enjoyed fresh, reheating isn’t necessary. However, if you’d like to soften the frosting a bit, you can leave them at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving or give them a gentle 5-second zap in the microwave. Be cautious not to melt the decorations.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cake batter for this Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe?
Absolutely! While the recipe calls for a box mix for convenience, homemade vanilla cake batter works beautifully and allows you to control the ingredients and sweetness level. Just be sure your batter is thick enough to hold its shape in the petit four molds.
What if I don’t have a petit four pan?
No worries! You can use mini muffin tins or silicone molds instead. Just adjust the baking time slightly and monitor for doneness. The colors and decorations will still make these treats spectacular.
Can I substitute the gel food coloring with liquid food coloring?
Gel food coloring is best because it provides vibrant color without thinning the batter or frosting. If you only have liquid coloring, use less and be aware it might affect the consistency, but it’s still doable.
Is it okay to prepare these a day in advance?
Yes! These unicorn petit fours can be made a day ahead. Just store them in an airtight container in a cool place. Refrigerate if your climate is warm to keep the frosting firm.
How do I pipe the unicorn hair and eyes if I’m a beginner?
Take your time and practice piping on parchment paper before decorating your petit fours. Use simple star and round tips, and don’t stress about perfection—the charm is in the handmade look!
Final Thoughts
Baking something as delightful and colorful as the Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe is a joyful experience from start to finish. These little cakes bring fun and whimsy to your dessert table and are sure to impress anyone lucky enough to try them. Give this recipe a go and watch how these magical treats brighten your day and spark smiles all around!
Print
Easy Unicorn Petit Fours Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 petit fours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Unicorn Petit Fours are colorful, whimsical mini cakes perfect for parties or special occasions. Made using a simple French vanilla cake mix, vibrant gel food colorings, and creamy vanilla frosting, these petite treats are decorated to resemble magical unicorns complete with piped frosting manes and unicorn horn sprinkles. The recipe is straightforward, requiring baking, cooling, frosting, and decorating steps that yield 12 charming unicorn-themed petit fours.
Ingredients
Batter Ingredients
- 1 box French vanilla cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 cup whole milk
- Pink gel food coloring
- Sky blue gel food coloring
- Purple gel food coloring
- Black gel food coloring
Frosting & Decorations
- 2 containers vanilla frosting
- 1 package unicorn horn sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously spray a petit four baking pan with non-stick baking spray to ensure easy release of the cakes.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, canola oil, and whole milk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Divide Batter: Pour the prepared cake batter from the box into the wet ingredients and mix well, then divide the batter evenly into four separate bowls.
- Add Colors: Add pink gel food coloring to one bowl, sky blue to the second, purple to the third, and leave the fourth bowl without any coloring (vanilla color).
- Fill Pan Cavities: Using a teaspoon, spoon about 1 teaspoon of each colored batter into each petit four cavity, layering or placing side by side as desired for a colorful effect.
- Bake Cakes: Place the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the cakes are fully baked.
- Cool Cakes: Remove the petit four cakes from the pan and transfer them onto a wire rack. Let them cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Base Frosting: Scoop one container of vanilla frosting into a medium bowl and microwave for 15 to 20 seconds until it becomes liquid-like for easier coating.
- Coat Petit Fours: Carefully pour the warmed frosting over each petit four to fully coat the cakes with a smooth layer of frosting.
- Set Frosting: Allow this initial frosting layer to firm up completely before moving on to decorating.
- Prepare Colored Frostings: Divide the second container of vanilla frosting equally into four bowls, about 1/4 cup each.
- Add Colors to Frosting: Add a few drops of pink gel to one bowl, blue gel to another, purple gel to the third, and black gel to the last bowl, mixing each until color is uniform.
- Fill Piping Bags: Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip with the pink and blue frostings for creating the unicorn’s mane.
- Fill Additional Piping Bags: Fill separate piping bags fitted with a number 2 tip with purple and black frostings for accent dots and facial details, respectively.
- Pipe Unicorn Hair: Using the pink and blue star-tip frosting, pipe the colorful “hair” or mane onto the petit fours to create the whimsical look of a unicorn.
- Add Purple Dots: Pipe small purple dots into the “hair” sections to add dimension and visual interest.
- Pipe Eyes Details: With the black frosting, carefully pipe eyes and facial details onto the front of each petit four to give the unicorn character.
- Place Sprinkles: Gently place a unicorn horn sprinkle at the top center of each petit four as the finishing magical touch.
- Set Final Frosting: Allow the decorated petit fours to sit for at least 30 minutes so the frosting can firm up before serving and enjoying.
Notes
- Ensure the petit four cakes are completely cool before applying the frosting to prevent melting.
- You can customize the colors of the frosting to match your party theme or preferences.
- If you don’t have a petit four pan, mini cupcake pans can be used as an alternative.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the batter or frosting.
- For easier piping, chill the frosting slightly if it becomes too warm when mixing colors.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
