Easy Graduation Cupcakes {Diploma Topper}

Learn how to make easy graduation cupcakes with this step by step tutorial. Mocha coffee cupcakes are topped with swirls of chocolate frosting and decorated with homemade fondant diploma toppers. Perfect for high school, kindergarten and even university graduation parties.

My cousin graduated from high school last week and I made these cupcakes for her fun celebration. I can't believe how fast all my little cousins are growing up. Just a little while ago, I made this Graduation Cake (Cap) for my other cousin's party.

Jump to:

• Key ingredients for diploma topper
• Variations
• How to make easy graduation cupcakes?
• Tips and techniques
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More decorated cupcakes
• Recipe

Key ingredients for diploma topper

• Cupcakes- I used chocolate, but you can use any flavor.
• Frosting- Chocolate frosting pairs well with these.
• Fondant- This what you use to make the cute topper.

Variations

• Try other cupcake flavors- Such as these Funfetti Cupcakes.
• Pair with another frosting- Like this Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting or Healthy Coconut Cream Chocolate Frosting.
• Drizzle- Chocolate Ganache (2 Ingredients) on top of the icing. It's perfect for chocoholics.
• Change the color- Of the fondant bows on the diploma. You can even match the color to the school's colors, if you like. I recommend using gel food coloring as opposed to liquid.
• Turn these into Filled Cupcakes (Stuffed Cupcakes)- And add the graduate's favorite filling. Some of my favorite fillings are Chantilly Cream (Creme Chantilly) and Homemade Caramel Sauce and of course this Homemade Vanilla Pudding.
• Make other designs- I piped a swirl on top of each cupcake using a big star tip (Wilton tip 1M) but you can use other piping tips and make other designs of swirls. Check out this post on How to Decorate Cupcakes (Pipe or Frost) for more ideas plus a video tutorial.
• Simpler version- If you don't want to make these fondant toppers, I recommend using a candy mold with melted chocolate. That's also very quick and simple.
• Make a pull apart cupcake cake version- Follow the same diploma theme but make it similar to these Football Cupcakes Cake.
• Add a personal touch- Write the graduate's name on the diploma with edible pen. Or make an additional monogram following the steps from this post on How to Use Stencils (For Cake Decorating).
• Use flower toppers- For half of the cupcakes to match the many leis graduates get. Simply follow the steps on how to make Easy Flower Cupcakes and use matching colors. You can even arrange the flowered cupcakes to look like a lei.
• Make different sizes- Using various square cut outs. You can even make a large one for a cake topper.

How to make easy graduation cupcakes?

1. Bake cupcakes- And allow them to fully cool.
2. Pipe swirls of icing- On top of each cupcake.
3. Roll out white fondant- And cut out a square piece (Images 1, 2).
4. Roll it up- From one end to the other and pinch the center slightly (Images 3, 4).
5. Make a thin rope- With the pink fondant and shape it into a bow (Images 5,6,7).
6. Stick the bow- To the white roll (Image 8).
7. Place this topper- On your iced cupcakes.

Tips and techniques

• Don't decorate warm cupcakes- Instead, allow them to fully cool before icing, then add the topper.
• To speed up the drying process- You can point a small table fan at the toppers. This will allow them to dry and become firm much faster.
• Use gum paste instead of fondant- It's just as pliable and dries quicker than fondant.
• You can make these toppers a month in advance- Allow them to dry completely and store them in a covered box in a cabinet away from heat and humidity at room temperature. This way, you can assemble the cupcakes much faster. I have done this before many times when I made these Easy Flower Cupcakes (Fondant Pansy) and even these Easy Fondant Daisies (Daisy Cupcakes).
• Use store-bought fondant- If you are short on time rather than making my homemade version. It's just less stressful this way.
• Toppers must be fully dry- Before applying them to cupcakes, or else they may lose their shape. I usually let mine dry overnight, but it is a good idea to allow 36 hours of air drying time.
• Use a knife- To cut at the sides of the pink fondant rope to fit perfectly around the "scroll."
• Use water or corn syrup- To stick the bow on the topper. Also, press gently on fondant to help keeps its shape.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Room temperature- Store at room temperature in a covered box for 2-3 hours.
• Refrigerate- Store in the refrigerator in a covered box for up to 3 days without the toppers because the moisture from the fridge can make them sticky. Stick them to the cupcakes later, prior to serving.
• Freeze- Decorated cupcakes cannot be frozen because when they thaw, the fondant decorations become sticky due to condensation. However, you can store the baked cupcakes and frosting in separate sealed containers in the freezer for up to 1 month. When you are ready to assemble, just follow the instructions below in the recipe card.
• Make ahead- You must store the toppers and cupcakes separately in sealed containers. They can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer up to 1 month. When needed, thaw, place topper on cupcake, and serve.

More decorated cupcakes

• Shirt Cupcakes (Father's Day or Dad's Birthday)
• Father's Day Cupcakes (With Handyman Tools)
• Ladybug Cupcakes
• Bee Cupcakes (Bumble Bee or Honey bee)
• Dinosaur Cupcakes (Fondant Topper)

Recipe