... Print

Class of 2026 Graduation Cap Cupcakes

A close-up of a vanilla Graduation cap cupcake topped with dark chocolate frosting, candy accents, and a chocolate bar mortarboard.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make high-impact graduation cap cupcakes for your celebration using simple ingredients like chocolate squares and candy for easy, themed treats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tub chocolate frosting
  • 1 package square chocolate graham crackers or thin chocolate wafers
  • 1 package small, colorful candies (like M&M’s or similar) for tassels
  • 1 tube yellow or white decorating gel/icing (optional, for year)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chocolate cupcakes according to the box directions, substituting water, oil, and eggs as listed. Add vanilla extract to the batter.
  2. Line a muffin tin with paper liners and fill each cup about two-thirds full.
  3. Bake the cupcakes according to the package directions for your altitude. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
  4. Prepare the frosting according to package directions or use store-bought frosting.
  5. Once cupcakes are cool, frost the top of each cupcake evenly with the chocolate frosting. This forms the base of the cap.
  6. Take one square chocolate graham cracker or wafer. This will be the top of the graduation cap. Place it flat on top of the frosted cupcake, slightly centered.
  7. Create the tassel: Place a small cluster of your colorful candies near one edge of the square cracker, letting a few hang slightly over the edge. This mimics the tassel hanging off the cap.
  8. If desired, use the decorating gel to pipe the year ‘2026’ onto the center of the chocolate square.
  9. Arrange your easy graduation desserts on a serving platter for your party.

Notes

  • For school color cupcakes, use food coloring in the batter or use frosting in your school colors instead of plain chocolate.
  • If you cannot find square graham crackers, you can carefully cut larger crackers into squares before placing them on the frosting.
  • These themed treats for the Class of 2026 look best when made the day before the party and stored covered at room temperature.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/graduation-cap-cupcakes-recipe/