It’s not everyday you can go to the circus but you can bring the circus to you. I love how these circus ticket cupcakes turned out. Made with box cake mix, frosting and fondant make this the perfect treat for a birthday and classroom parties, movie nights or just when you want to throw a circus party. 

Circus Ticket Cupcakes

Yields: One dozen decorated cupcakes

Ingredients

1 box white cake mix (plus required eggs, oil, and water as directed on box)
3-4 oz. white fondant
2-3 oz. red fondant
1 black edible ink marker
1 stick butter, softened
2 cups icing/confectioners’ sugar
2-3 tbsp milk
Sprinkles

Directions for Cupcake Decorating

Bake cupcakes according to box directions. Allow to cool.

In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar and milk with an electric mixer.

Gradually increase the electric mixer to high and once all ingredients are well combined, scoop buttercream into a piping bag with Wilton tip #12 attached.

Frost each cupcake and then garnish with sprinkles.

Directions for Fondant Circus Ticket

As the cupcakes cool down (they need to be completely cool before adding any sort of decorations/icing), make the fondant circus tickets: use a rolling pin to roll out white fondant until it’s about 1/3 of an inch thick.

Use a paring knife to cut the white fondant in 12 rectangles, 1 inch x 2 inches in size.

Roll out the red fondant until it’s about ¼ of an inch thick. Cut out 24 strips, about 3 inches (or more) in length and ¼ of an inch wide.

On the top and bottom of each white fondant rectangle, press a red fondant strip. Trim where necessary.

Use edible black marker to write out the word “TICKET.”

Using the end of Wilton icing tip #12, trim out a demi-circle from the corner of each fondant ticket.

Place one fondant ticket on each cupcake. Serve and enjoy!

How to Make Circus Ticket Cupcakes

Circus Ticket Cupcakes

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Print

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix (plus required eggs, oil, and water as directed on box)
• 3-4 oz. white fondant
• 2-3 oz. red fondant
• 1 black edible ink marker
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 2 cups icing/confectioners’ sugar
• 2-3 tbsp milk
• Sprinkles

Instructions

Directions for Cupcake Decorating

1. Bake cupcakes according to box directions. Allow to cool.
2. In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar and milk with an electric mixer.
3. Gradually increase the electric mixer to high and once all ingredients are well combined, scoop buttercream into a piping bag with Wilton tip #12 attached.
4. Frost each cupcake and then garnish with sprinkles.

Directions for Fondant Circus Ticket

1. As the cupcakes cool down (they need to be completely cool before adding any sort of decorations/icing), make the fondant circus tickets: use a rolling pin to roll out white fondant until it’s about 1/3 of an inch thick.
2. Use a paring knife to cut the white fondant in 12 rectangles, 1 inch x 2 inches in size.
3. Roll out the red fondant until it’s about ¼ of an inch thick. Cut out 24 strips, about 3 inches (or more) in length and ¼ of an inch wide.
4. On the top and bottom of each white fondant rectangle, press a red fondant strip. Trim where necessary.
5. Use edible black marker to write out the word “TICKET.”
6. Using the end of Wilton icing tip #12, trim out a demi-circle from the corner of each fondant ticket.
7. Place one fondant ticket on each cupcake. Serve and enjoy!

If you’re looking for other circus or carnival themed party ideas, check these out!

Circus Popcorn Cupcakes – These cupcakes are made with marshmallows to look like popcorn and great for circus or carnival themed parties. 

DIY Popcorn Bar – Next time you have a family movie night try having a DIY Popcorn Bar. Kids will have fun adding toppings to their popcorn before the movie starts.

DIY Snack Box – Create a DIY snack box using a gift box, scissors and tape. It a great way for kids to fill the box up with candy, drinks and snacks and carry it.