Q&A for How to Make Glow in the Dark Cupcakes

Neon food coloring helps show that green color when the cupcake glow in the dark. It's best to use that type when making the frosting.

You can use other colors, but green is the best color, because it shows more easily. The darker the color, the more easily it will be seen.

Yes, in order for the cupcakes to glow, you must have black light.

No, unless you can procure quinine another way. Tonic water is non-alcoholic (just a bit bitter), so there's no issue unless your kid is allergic to quinine (highly uncommon).

No, tonic water is not alcoholic.

Yes, because it will help the cupcakes glow. Neon food coloring helps show the green color when the cupcake glows in the dark; it's best to use that type when making the frosting.

No.

Yes, that should be just as effective, although it might take a bit longer.

The gelatin is there to coat the icing, helping the tonic water to adhere, so an unflavored gelatin would work for this. However, since tonic water has a bitter flavor, a flavored gelatin can help mask the taste.

This method keeps the cupcakes intact while producing a spooky glowing frosting. If you want to just put tonic water on a cupcake, you'll still get some glow, but it may cause the frosting or cake to disintegrate, and the effect won't be as dramatic.

Definitely. This is a great recipe to make ahead of time for a party or get-together.

This recipe makes enough glow-in-the-dark frosting for 12 cupcakes. If you want to make more, just adjust the proportions!

You can definitely do it with cakes or cookies! Just make sure you make the icing glow in the dark before you put it on the cake or cookies.