My girls live and breathe Disney’s Frozen. My oldest believes that she is Elsa, my youngest — well, she is infatuated with Kristoff. (No really, she is!) And the soundtrack, well I am pretty sure I have listened to it every time I have been in the car since Christmas.
Her birthday is in March, but K is already planning a Frozen birthday party. That’s a long way away, but in the mean time I thought it would be fun to make some Frozen-inspired cupcakes. And what’s the perfect Frozen cupcake? Why blue velvet of course!


- 2 ½ cups cake flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp. dark blue food coloring
- 1 tiny dab violet gel food coloring
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. white vinegar
Buttercream Frosting Ingredients
- 2 ½ sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 ½ cups confectioners sugar (10 oz)
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp. heavy cream
To give them just the right Frozen look I decorated my cupcakes with Wilton baking cups and Wilton Sugar Pearl Sprinkles.
Tip – The recipe calls for a dab of violet gel food coloring, which I used. It looks pretty, but it is darker than I anticipated. Next time I make Frozen cupcakes, I will forgo the violet.

Blue Velvet Cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Insert cupcake liners or spray cupcake pan with non-stick spray.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar. Whisk vigorously until well combined and smooth. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and whisk until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
Divide the batter evenly in the cupcake tray, filling each hole about ¾ fill. Bake for 17-19 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly pressed with your fingertip and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cupcakes cool for a few minutes. Remove them from the pans to cool completely.
Buttercream Frosting
In a large bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer for about 20 seconds. Add the confectioners sugar and salt and beat at medium-low to incorporate the sugar. Increase the speed the medium and beat until filly combined, about 30 seconds, scrapping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Add the vanilla and heavy cream and beat on medium speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium-height and beat for about 4 minutes, or until the mixture is very light and fluffy. You may need to scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Frost the cupcakes once they are completely cool.

The Clean Up
When I bake, I make a crazy mess. I mean seriously. Should it really take this many dishes to make cupcakes? Really?

This giveaway has ended.
This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Dawn. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Blue Velvet Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups cake flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk at room temperature
- 1 tbsp. dark blue food coloring
- 1 tiny dab violet gel food coloring
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. white vinegar
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Insert cupcake liners or spray cupcake pan with non-stick spray.
-
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar. Whisk vigorously until well combined and smooth. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and whisk until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
-
Divide the batter evenly in the cupcake tray, filling each hole about ¾ fill. Bake for 17-19 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly pressed with your fingertip and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cupcakes cool for a few minutes. Remove them from the pans to cool completely.
KV says
I need Dawn Ultra when food is stuck on a casserole dish.
Trisha W. says
Macaroni and Cheese can be a messy one to clean up after.
Cynthia R says
I need Dawn Ultra when I make my stuffed shells.
shelly peterson says
Dawn would work great when I make Lasagna.
Kristin F says
I need Dawn Ultra for my crockpot – it’s so hard to get clean after cooking!
Liz says
The sink! Always messy.
Sara Zielinski says
Definitely the cupcake pan!
Andrea says
I need Dawn Ultra anytime my husband decides to cook his “famous” spaghetti. Somehow everything gets stuck to the pots.
Melissa says
My dishwasher is out of commission so dawn works wonders
Uplifting Families says
We make a bunch of grilled chicken in our house and it makes a huge mess. Also, mac n cheese. I always soak my pots and pans in dawn before I put them in the dishwasher.
I love how the cupcakes turned out.
Jessamine D. says
I need Dawn Ultra on my baked lasagne. 🙂
Heather Johnson says
Baking casseroles usually means that I end up scrubbing a pan for days!
Maisha Davis says
The deep freezer and microwave stand
Jennifer says
when we make banana muffins from our rotten bananas that are leftover they always get stuck in EVERYTHING after I mash them :/
Leann Lindeman says
I have dishes sitting on the counter right now from last nights dinner that need some Dawn!
Leann Lindeman says
I have dishes sitting on the counter right now from last nights dinner that need Dawn!
Heather says
My lasagna pan needs Ultra Dawn! It’s always a cheesy baked on mess!
Elisabeth says
I could definitely use Dawn Ultra after lasagna!
Tandi says
Dawn Ultra would be so handy on the grill grates after smoking a brisket!!!!
latanya says
baked macaroni and cheese dish
David says
Scrambled eggs is the one thing that is a nightmare to clean up afterwards.
Stacey b says
Baking Christmas cookies always makes a big mess here!
Beth @ TheAngelForever says
We made sidewalk chalk the other day and Dawn would have helped with the mess when we were finished. I have a feeling we will be making more of that this summer.
shaunie says
Our baking mess is blueberry pies that constantly need Dawn
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
We’ll be making our own homemade tomato sauce this year from our garden, I’m sure I’ll need lots of Dawn!
Nicole Sender says
My stove top and oven door needs Dawn Ultra!
Maria Beas De Bonilla says
I love cupcakes and I’m eager to try all new recipes ! Thanks for sahring.
Bohemian Babushka (@BBabushka) says
Lasagna is the Dawn dish at my house! Gracias for the Giveaway.
B smith says
These looks yummy!
Marti Tabora says
Every time I make oatmeal cookies I could really use Dawn. I make such a big mess with all the dishes.
Nancy says
I need Dawn Ultra every time my daughter helps me in the kitchen 😉
Dianne says
I use Dawn daily in cleaning dried rice and grits from casserole dishes. I let it sit over night and the next day it is easy to clean. I always use it in cleaning my grill which I use regularly.
Natalie Brown says
Hello! A mess that needs Dawn Ultra in my kitchen is when I make lasagna or banana bread. Thanks!!
Birdiebee says
Making ice water cake with vanilla frosting requires the help of Dawn.
Heather Hayes Panjon says
Those Messy Brownie Pans Could Use The Power Of Dawn!
michelle riebeek says
My frying pans
Amber Stokes says
Fun recipe! Gotta love Frozen. 🙂 That frosting looks delicious, and the cupcakes are so pretty!
I’m getting ready to relocate for a job, and I’m sure Dawn Ultra would come in handy, especially since I’m going to have to cook more for myself. 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway!
~Amber
Virginia Rowell says
My stuffed peppers pan needs Dawn Ultra.
Eloise Carlson says
My casserole dish after making lasagna definitely needs a little clean up from Dawn Ultra! Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway!
furygirl3132[at]comcast[dot]net
Vera K says
Our popcorn pot needs Dawn Ultra.
Emily says
Would have to be the lasagna pan, it’s the worst.
kerry R. says
My dishwasher is also broken! So I could use the dawn to hand wash everything.
Carla S says
I need dawn ultra for my casserole dishes when I make a casserole with oil or meat in it. I need it for my cookie sheets, too.
rachel says
Dinner every night! Especially for baked chicken
brienna says
Four kids + two have birthday parties within a month = in dyer need of Dawn ultra lol!!
June Lisle says
My pans could always use the help of Dawn.
ken ohl says
when I make baked chicken
Betty says
broiling – we do kabobs and those pans always need some extra help
Leigh Borders says
I need Dawn for my muffin pans I use!
Stephanie Grant says
I’m going to have to say my worst baking mess that needs Dawn Ultra is my Slobber-knocker Pork Chops!
suzanne says
Cleaning up the frying pans after bacon and eggs.
dina says
it’s great for a macaroni and cheese pan!
Sarah L says
Any time I cook in the kitchen I need Dawn.
Thanks for the contest.
Shannon says
Any of them really? I am a messy cook!
Shana Elliott says
My entire kitchen needs Dawn! lol
Jessie C. says
I need help cleaning muffin pans.
Jessica To says
I need help scrubbing out my casserole baking dishes!
Tricia says
Yummy!
Amy Ballou says
casserole dishes
Chaz May says
When i am cooking lasgna
Jane says
EVERYDAY MESSES! All the time……………………………….
Tammy says
These cupcakes look wonderful…I love the twist of blue velvet. We always use Dawn – its the best for getting grease off plastic food containers. It’s even great for giving the dog a bath…kills the fleas and keeps them away.
Thanks for hosting this fun giveaway. Passing by from Melt In Your Mouth Mondays.
Toodles,
Tammy<3
Sarah says
Baby bottles. Every day…sigh.
Maria Malaveci says
My cake pans……!
saralynns2 says
Out of sight, out of mind- those pans that I leave sitting overnight with ickiness in them need extra TLC from Dawn 🙁
Nancy Loring says
I need dawn ultra for whenever my kids cook. They make the biggest mess for me to clean up. Also they never make anything for me.
Julia says
I need it for getting stains out of clothes (mix one part dawn dish soap and two parts Hydrogen Peroxide in a spray bottle and spray on clothes before washing and it gets almost anything out!) Thanks for hosting the giveaway! <3
Natalie says
My mom always used blue dawn with us kids and now we use it with ours. best way to have fun washing dishes!
Natalie J Vandenberghe says
anytime my husband cooks, I need Dawn to help me clean up.
Your cupcakes look great!
Wes Hovorka says
I need it to clean my casserole dishes.
Madaline says
A good Southern girl I love red velvet cake/cupcakes! These blue velvet ones look delish!!
Lori Hart says
I’m probably the only person on the planet that has not seen Frozen, but your cupcakes look amazing. I found your recipe over at the Turn it Up Tuesday’s link party. I host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you linked up this recipe. I’m sure our partygoers would love it as much as I do. Have a wonderful day!!
Kelly Tupick says
All the pans and cookie sheets i use are beat and touch the clean. These could all use some Dawn after cooking. The scrubbing is getting tiring.
Amanda says
These look so fun and so yummy! I wish I had a reason to throw a frozen inspired party just so I could serve these! Thanks for the recipe! You did a great job! We would love it if you linked up with our party this week!
Pure Grace Farms says
Thanks for coming by the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. Love your post and appreciate you taking the time to share.Pinning today!
Blessings,
Shari
michelle oakley warner says
i need some dawn ultra when i make bread pudding and i forget to grease the pan. its a nightmare.
Tina W says
It’s canning season so I always have a pot with some boiled-on jam goop that needs to be soaked.
Robin says
Dawn is the best at cleaning my fryer.
Jessica @ Sweet Menu says
I just red velvet – never tried blue velvet before though – yum!
Divachyk // Relaxed Thairapy says
Hi Jen, I’m coming to you from the WUW linkup. I’m one of the guest cohosts. I love red velvet everything but never tried blue velvet anything. I will file this away and use next time when my next sweet treat fix hit. All of my pans can use a little cleaning pick me up.
jen says
Thanks so much. I had never tried blue velvet either, but it is just as delish!
Ashley says
I am the SAME way when I bake cupcakes! Seriously, how many mixing bowls and spoons can I possibly use?! Not to mention the amount of confectioners sugar that seems to miss the bowl 🙂 Love this idea!
brittany says
A lot of things I cook I need dawn afterwards to clean up. I would say a cake.
Helga says
I would use it when I fry meta and eggs or bake breads.
steven weber says
The pots and pans in my house need Dawn.
Christy Peeples DuBois says
Just about everything in the kitchen needs it if it’s been any grease involved in any way. Like bacon, sausage, etc.
Anne says
Beautiful cupcakes! I love red velvet, but thought I might add in some blue velvet for the upcoming holiday.
AmySD says
I need Dawn whenever food sticks in my crock pot. The cupcakes are beautiful!
Rebecca Parsons says
I made a cake with two layers so I had a bit of a mess. Dawn is the best there is when it comes to cutting grease!
Dawn Keenan says
I use Dawn all the time. It works great. Just last night, it cleaned the stuff from the bbq grill like it was nothing.
nickie says
Definitely the cupcake pan!
Dina@Kitchen Dreaming says
Thanks for coming and linking up at #The Weekend Social. Please be sure to come back next week.
Lisa V. says
Lasagna is usually a challenge.
Amy Pratt says
My eggplant parmesan never leaves the pan willingly. Dawn has to help.
Tari Lawson says
I could really use Dawn ultra when making my lasagna.
April Brenay says
my husband makes pasta from scratch its always a mess!
Sue Ellison says
I use Dawn on everything especially greasy dishes and pans with sauces like spaghetti. Dawn is the best on grease!
Debbi Wellenstein says
When i cook or bake, everything needs Dawn Ultra!
Sarah Hall says
When my husband burns chili on the kettle, I need Dawn Ultra.
Jill Myrick says
The pan that is left over after making homemade lasagna needs Dawn in our home.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Lesley F says
My lasagna pans!
Penny Snyder says
My spaghetti sauce pan!!!~
Debra Hall says
when my son makes grilled cheese omg
Angela Cisco says
When I make baked spaghetti
CJ Huang says
I like how you switched out the usual red velvet for blue to match Frozen. 🙂 Think of all the different color possibilities. 🙂 Stop on by and share this or any other recipe with us on Five Friday Finds!
CJ Huang says
I like how you switched out the usual red velvet for blue to match Frozen. 🙂 Think of all the different color possibilities. 🙂 Stop on by and share this or any other recipe with us on Five Friday Finds!
Gwenni B says
When I make breakfast – usually hash browns are the greasiest, so the pans I use are a pain to clean.
kim says
My kids love homemade chicken fingers and I make a lot of mess with the breading then frying them the grease it all needs a lot of dawn
deana c says
My lasagna pan needs dawn ultra.
Missy says
My I always use Dawn in my pan after making enchiladas.
Francine Anchondo says
all my pans need help lol
Robin says
I really need it when we make lasagna.
kathy pease says
I would need dawn when I make tacos they are so messy
tammie venne says
my whole house is a mess
Brittney House says
I would say when we make pasta dishes or anything that needs to be baked.
Carolyn G says
My casserole dishes
Ellie W says
Frito pie dishes. My family loves it, but I hate he clean up.
Mary Cloud says
My pan I use to bake meatloaf in
annabella @ centurytel dot net
Denise says
Love this idea. Great inspiration as Emma loves Frozen and her bday is coming up. Thanks!! Oh and featured on Share it Sunday this week.
Danielle Papsis says
My crockpot needs the help of Dawn.
cynthia Painter says
Any casserole that bakes for a long time with cheese…like mac and cheese.
Peter G says
Baked Ziti, the glass baking dish needs Dawn!!
Stephanie Galbraith says
Our kitchen is always the center of attention with a cook in the house. It itself needs the help of Dawn to keep it clean.
Lorena Keech says
My lasagna pan almost needs a blowtorch to get it clean.
Bryan E. says
Thanks for the giveaway…a greasy serving tray that held last nights barbecued chicken needs some Dawn & a bit of elbow grease !
tina reynolds says
My baking and casserole pans need help
amanda whiltey says
my pots and pans need this!
McKim says
My lasagna pan needs it!
Erica C. says
Would be good for lasagna dishes.
Rosanne says
Blueberry pie spilling over
wendi watson says
My 14 year old now has an obsession with cooking and baking brownies or whatever he can try out my whole kitchen needs dawn the full size! lol
Breanne says
Lasagna dishes
Brandy says
My lasagna dishes always need Dawn ultra.
Kirsten says
I could use it any time my husband cooks. 🙂
Laurie Emerson says
My lasagna pan desperately needs Dawn Ultra. I love making lasagna but have to scrub the pan out over and over again as the lasagna sauce spills out onto the pan itself and then sticks to it.
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
Thanks so much for linking up to Freedom Fridays – pinned and will be sharing this on Facebook !