Beach Bear Cupcakes for Pool Parties and Summer Celebrations

These Beach Cupcakes are a simple and delicious way to bring summer vibes to your dessert table. Made with fluffy cupcakes topped with blue frosting to mimic ocean water, they’re decorated with crushed cookies for sand and gummy rings with teddy graham bears relaxing on top.

The combination of textures and colors makes them as fun to look at as they are to eat. You can use homemade cupcakes or a boxed mix, making this recipe as easy as you need it to be. Kids will love helping decorate these treats, and you can get creative with little umbrellas or candy accents.

Perfect for summer gatherings, pool parties, or beach-themed birthdays, these cupcakes will be the highlight of any warm-weather celebration.

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Equipment You Will Need

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Stand mixer
• Food processor
• Muffin tin
• Cupcake liners
• Small ice cream scoop or anything similar
• Knife

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Beach Cupcakes Recipe

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These Beach Cupcakes are a fun summer treat featuring blue frosting, cookie “sand,” and gummy ring floaties with teddy bears. They’re playful, easy to make, and perfect for pool parties or beach-themed celebrations.

• Total Time: 44-46 minutes
• Yield: 12–16 cupcakes 1x

Ingredients

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For the cupcakes:

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

For the frosting & decorations:

4 cups powdered sugar

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

2–3 tablespoons milk

Turquoise (or any shade of blue) food coloring

1/2 cup Teddy Grahams

8–10 Peach Rings

Air Heads rainbow candy

Umbrella toothpicks, to decorate

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard muffin tin with cupcake liners, set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and sugar. Cream until smooth.
3. Add in the milk, vanilla and eggs. Mix on low speed until combined, scraping the sides often.
4. Add in the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix on low until combined and then bump up the speed to medium for another minute. Scrape the sides often.
5. Using a small ice cream scoop or similar, divide the batter between each of the cupcake liners, filling each about ½-⅔ full.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until the centers are set. Allow to cool completely before decorating.
7. For the frosting – In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine about half of the powdered sugar, the softened butter, salt and vanilla.
8. Mix on low speed until combined.
9. Add in the remaining powdered sugar, milk and food coloring (start with just a little bit, you can always add more later).
10. Mix on low speed until combined. Then bump up the speed to medium and mix for an additional 2-3 minutes or until frosting is smooth and fluffy. Scrape the sides often. Add additional food coloring until desired shade is achieved. Set aside.
11. Place about half of the Teddy Grahams in a food processor – we sorted the whole from the ones missing limbs and place those missing a head, arm or leg in the food processor, reserving the whole ones for later.
12. Grind the Teddy Grahams into a crumb consistency. Set aside.
13. Cut the Air Head’s rainbow candy into rectangles big enough to fit a Teddy Graham. Assemble the rainbow towel with one Teddy Graham for a total of 8-10 sets. Set aside.
14. Place a whole Teddy Graham body into the center of each peach ring – total of 8-10. Set aside.
15. To assemble the cupcakes – spread an even layer of frosting over the top of each cupcake.  Use an offset spatula to easily level the top.
16. On half of the cupcakes, place a peach ring Teddy. Set aside.
17. On the other half of the cupcakes, spread the Teddy graham crumbs over about 1/2-3/4 of the cupcake surface to create the sand beach. Then place a sunbathing Teddy on the towel on the beach side of the cupcake. Finally, insert an umbrella toothpick into the cupcake, if desired.

Notes

• Storage: Cupcakes should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

• Author: Little Party Pixie
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 14-16 minutes
• Category: Sweet Treats

Step-By-Step Process

Beach Cupcakes are ideal for summer birthdays, BBQs, or any occasion where you want to add a playful seaside touch. Their bright colors and cute decorations make them a standout dessert that’s guaranteed to get smiles.

If you’re in the mood for more easy, festive recipes, take a look through the other ideas on the blog. You’ll find plenty of fun treats perfect for parties and holidays.

Enjoyed these sunny cupcakes? Try the Mango Coconut Lime Popsicles and Sweet Mini Burger Cookies—both are easy, creative, and perfect for gatherings!

© Little Party Pixie 2026