Race Car Cupcakes with Edible Topper
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These race car cupcakes are simple and feature an edible cupcake topper! Your car loving kid will love these cupcakes, as will any racing fan. The chocolate race cars, checkered flag picks and dirt topped cupcakes ties the racing theme together. Plus, these birthday cupcakes are perfect for a Two Fast birthday party. Just follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Planing a race car birthday party? Make your own cupcakes with this easy birthday cupcake idea. I used a similar process with these dinosaur cupcakes. Making edible cupcake toppers out of chocolate or candy melts is a great way to make your cupcakes stand out without a lot of effort. Start with your favorite cupcakes, top with chocolate frosting and Oreo crumbs then add checkered flags, and a chocolate race car. And if you are making race car cupcakes to fit a two fast birthday theme, a simple addition of a number 2 cupcake pick is all you need.
Race Car Cupcake Ingredients and Supplies
To make these racing car theme cupcakes you’ll need the following ingredients:
- box cake mix: I used chocolate but you can use any flavor you like. You can also swap out the mix with your favorite homemade cake recipe, like this recipe for Matilda’s Chocolate Cake.
- oil and eggs: (Listed for following the instructions on your box mix)
- chocolate frosting: I purchased tub frosting to keep it simple and because my family likes it. But you could also use any chocolate frosting recipe you like!
- 8 oreo cookies (approximate): Only a few cookies are needed for the dirt on top of the cupcake. If you don’t want any leftover crumbs, start with fewer cookies and make more if needed.
- red candy melts: I used red to make red race cars but you can use any color(s) to fit your theme!
- plastic racing car chocolate mold: You can use any car mold you like. This one worked great to fit my needs. If it is out of stock, other potential options include this race car mold or this car mold. Keep in mind I have not purchased either of these molds.
- cupcake liners: I like using metallic yellow or gold or red cupcake liners but you can swap out those colors as well.I used the yellow found in the Wilton cupcake set but Amazon has a ton of other cupcake liner options in various metallic colors.
- checkered flag cupcake picks: I like the bold look of the checkered flag. You can use one or two as shown.
- number 2 cupcake picks: These are a nice addition if you are throwing a two fast birthday party.
I used a plastic chocolate mold to make an edible race car cupcake topper, but you could also use store-bought cars or plastic cupcake toppers or even race car sugar decorations. Amazon has a lot of different race car birthday decorations and supplies.
How to Make Edible Race Car Cupcake Toppers
These chocolate cupcake toppers are super easy to make yourself. Melt approximately 1 cup candy melts per 8 cars you’d like to make, assuming you use the same mold I did. In a small microwave safe bowl, melt in short 15-30 second intervals, stirring often. Do not over cook chocolate. Stir to completely combine. If you like a super smooth look, I recommend adding a bit of canola oil or shortening as I did.
Using a spoon, carefully drop chocolate in plastic mold, carefully filling to the top but not overflowing. It helps to add to the center and gently push out to the edges, making sure to get all crevices. Gently tap the mold on a hard surface to even out and remove air bubbles. Because this race car mold is a bit deeper, it is really easy to not overfill the mold. This results in super smooth bottoms, as long as you are careful.
Place in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to fully harden before gently removing. Smooth out edges if needed. Once set, place the plastic mold against a cutting board, flat side down, and turn it over. Gently push the race cars out of the mold. I did not have any issues with race cars breaking as I removed them.
How to Make Chocolate Dirt Cupcakes
These chocolate dirt cupcakes are so simple to make. To start, you’ll want to make your favorite chocolate cupcakes recipe or use a box mix like I did. Allow your cupcakes to cool completely before frosting. 
I used Oreo cookie crumbs. A food processor really does produce the best results but if you don’t have one you can use a ziploc bag and a rolling pin instead. You’ll be surprised how few Oreo cookies are needed to make a lot of crumbs.
Frost your cupcakes with your favorite frosting. Chocolate works best because it blends in well with the chocolate cookie “dirt”. Place your chocolate cookie crumbs in a small bowl. Tip frosted cupcake upside and gently press into the cookie crumbs, carefully rotating slightly to cover entire cupcake.
Be careful to not press too hard to add too much frosting on your cupcakes or you may push your frosting off the edges of your cupcake.
How to Make Race Car Cupcakes
Now it is time to assemble your race car cupcakes! I recommend doing this shortly before serving or before your celebration begins since the height of the cupcake pics makes them harder to store once assembled.
Top with a chocolate race car and one or two checkered flags cupcake toppers.
The checkered flags can also be used to decorate other foods at your party. I’ve used cupcake picks in other ways besides just cupcakes including construction birthday party desserts and mermaid smoothie shots.
Two Fast Birthday
If you need two fast cake ideas, these cupcakes are a great choice even as is. But you can also add a number 2 cupcake topper to tie the theme together. Doesn’t really get any easier than that!
If you need more party inspiration, check out this easy ice cream cake, which is good for any party theme, this pennywise birthday party favor printable or girls spa party favor!
Race Car Cupcakes
These race car cupcakes are so easy! Step-by-step instructions are included to make edible race car cupcake toppers for these birthday cupcakes. Also works great for a two fast birthday party.
Ingredients
- 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Delights Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix or your favorite box mix or homemade recipe
- 1 1/4 cup water*
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil*
- 3 eggs*
- 1 tub 16 oz chocolate frosting or two cups chocolate buttercream frosting
- 8 Oreo cookies
- 1 1/2 cups red candy melts
- race car chocolate mold
- 1 teaspoon oil or shortening optional
- checkered flag cupcake picks
Instructions
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Heat oven to 350°F for shiny metal or glass pan or 325°F for nonstick pan. Line two muffin tins with liners.
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Mix cake mix, water, oil and eggs in a large bowl at low speed for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium and beat an additional 2 minutes.
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Divide batter evenly to make 24 cupcakes, filling approximately 2/3 of the way full.
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Bake for 14 to 19 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes and transfer cupcakes to wire rack to cool completely.
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In a small microwave safe bowl, melt candy melts in short 15-30 second intervals, stirring often. Do not over cook chocolate. Stir to completely combine and add a bit of canola oil or shortening for a super smooth look.
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Using a spoon, carefully drop candy melts in plastic mold, carefully filling to the top but not overflowing. It helps to add to the center and gently push out to the edges, making sure to get all crevices.
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Gently tap the mold on a hard surface to even out and remove air bubbles.
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Place on level surface in the refrigerator for to fully harden before gently removing. Smooth out edges if needed.
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Place Oreo cookies in a food processor until crumbs have formed. (Alternatively, you can place cookies in a Ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin)
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Transfer crumbs to a small bowl.
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Once completely cooled, frost each cupcake with a spatula.
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Tip frosted cupcake upside and gently press into the cookie crumbs, carefully rotating slightly to cover entire cupcake. Set aside. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.
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Top with a chocolate race car and one or two checkered flag cupcake toppers, if desired, before serving.
Recipe Notes
Exact amount of candy melts will vary depending upon race car mold used for cupcake toppers.
Add a number 2 cupcake pick if desired for a two fast birthday party theme
More Car Birthday Ideas
If you are hunting for more car birthday party ideas, here are some fun options.
- make your party stand out with these gas can drinking stations and stop light table decor
- create a race car party entrance complete with VIP passes
- consider a DIY race track as featured in this vintage race car party
- set up a kids car wash station for a fun outdoor activity
- decorate your space with this balloon tower traffic light signal
