Caterpillar Cupcake Pull-Apart Cake

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A caterpillar pull-apart cake is a line of frosted cupcakes arranged in a curved shape to look like a caterpillar, with one cupcake decorated as the head.

It’s easier than a traditional cake, requires no advanced decorating skills, and lets guests grab individual cupcakes without cutting.

Why You’ll Love It

  • No cake decorating skills required
  • Easier to serve than a sheet cake — guests just pull off a cupcake
  • Perfect for Very Hungry Caterpillar themed parties
  • Can be made with box mix or from scratch
  • Kids can help with decorating

Ingredients

For the cupcakes (makes 12-14):

  • 1 box vanilla or chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box), or your favorite from-scratch recipe
  • 12-14 cupcake liners in green or assorted bright colors

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring in green, red, yellow, and other bright colors

For decorating:

  • 2 large candy eyes or white chocolate chips with chocolate chip pupils
  • 1 red candy (M&M, gumdrop, or fruit leather) for the mouth
  • 2 pretzel sticks or green pipe cleaners for antennae
  • 2 small red candies or gumdrops for antennae tips
  • Assorted sprinkles (optional)

Steps

  1. Preheat your oven according to the cake mix or recipe instructions — typically 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  3. Prepare the cake batter according to package directions or your recipe.
  4. Fill each liner about two-thirds full — use an ice cream scoop for consistent portions.
  5. Bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely — at least 1 hour.
  7. While cupcakes cool, make the buttercream by beating the softened butter with a hand mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  8. Gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low speed.
  9. Add the heavy cream and vanilla, then beat on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  10. Divide the frosting into separate bowls and tint each with gel food coloring — you’ll want green for the head plus 3-4 other bright colors for the body segments.
  11. Transfer each frosting color to a piping bag fitted with a large round or star tip, or use a zip-top bag with the corner cut off.
  12. Frost each cupcake with a generous swirl of colored frosting, alternating colors as you go.
  13. Arrange the cupcakes in a curved line on a large serving board or platter, placing them close together so they touch.
  14. Position the green-frosted cupcake at one end as the head.
  15. Press the candy eyes into the frosting on the head cupcake.
  16. Add a red candy below the eyes for the mouth.
  17. Insert pretzel sticks or pipe cleaners into the top of the head for antennae, angling them outward.
  18. Top each antenna with a small red candy or gumdrop.
  19. Add sprinkles to the body cupcakes if desired.

Helpful Tips & Substitutions

Flat-top cupcakes frost better. If your cupcakes dome significantly, slice off the tops with a serrated knife to create a flat surface before frosting.

Gel food coloring only. Liquid food coloring will thin your frosting and produce pale colors — gel gives vibrant results without affecting texture.

Chill if needed. If your kitchen is warm and the frosting gets soft, refrigerate it for 15 minutes before piping.

Cupcake count. For a longer caterpillar, make 18-24 cupcakes — just increase the frosting recipe by half.

Store-bought shortcut. Use canned frosting tinted with gel colors if you’re short on time — one can frosts about 12 cupcakes generously.

Gluten-free option. Any gluten-free box cake mix works — the decoration is the same.

Secure the line. Place a thin line of frosting on the serving board under each cupcake to prevent sliding during transport.

Serving Ideas

Display the caterpillar on a large wooden cutting board or a foil-covered piece of cardboard cut to size.

Add green paper grass or lettuce leaves around the base to create a garden scene.

Place the caterpillar as the centerpiece of the dessert table at a birthday party.

For a Very Hungry Caterpillar theme, set it alongside a fruit platter and other foods from the book.

Let the birthday child pull off the head cupcake first as a fun tradition.

Make-Ahead & Storage

Bake ahead: Cupcakes can be baked up to 2 days in advance — store unfrosted in an airtight container at room temperature.

Freeze ahead: Unfrosted cupcakes freeze well for up to 3 months — thaw at room temperature for 2 hours before frosting.

Frosting: Buttercream can be made 3-4 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container — bring to room temperature and re-whip before using.

Assembly timing: Frost and assemble the caterpillar 2-4 hours before the party — the frosting holds up fine at room temperature for that long.

Storage: Cover leftover cupcakes loosely with plastic wrap or store in a cupcake carrier at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Transport tip: Assemble the caterpillar at the party location if possible — transporting it pre-assembled risks shifting.

Party-Ready Without the Stress

Pull-apart cakes give you the wow factor of a decorated cake without the pressure of smooth frosting or intricate piping.

Kids love pulling off their own cupcake, and cleanup is easier than slicing a layer cake.

This caterpillar version is forgiving, fun to make, and guaranteed to be the hit of any kids’ party.

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