As summer fades and the back-to-school season begins, parents, teachers, and kids alike are gearing up for a fresh start.
One of the best ways to celebrate this exciting transition is with a sweet, themed treat that captures the spirit of the school year — School Bus Cupcakes.
These adorable cupcakes are not only delicious but also make the perfect snack for classroom parties, back-to-school events, or even just a fun surprise for your child’s lunchbox.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through how to make these charming school bus-themed cupcakes from scratch (or using a mix if you’re short on time), how to decorate them with simple supplies, and I’ll even recommend some Amazon affiliate products to help make your cupcake creation easier and more fun.
This article includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is highly appreciated.
🎒 Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cupcakes:
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1 box yellow cake mix (or your favorite homemade vanilla cupcake recipe)
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3 large eggs
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1/2 cup vegetable oil
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1 cup water
For the Buttercream Frosting:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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4 cups powdered sugar
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2–3 tablespoons milk
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Yellow food coloring
Decorating Supplies:
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Mini Oreo cookies or black candies (for wheels)
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Small round candies (like M&Ms or Skittles for lights)
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Black licorice or piping gel (for windows and outlines)
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White fondant or candy melts (for windows, if desired)
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Piping bags and small decorating tips
🚌 How to Make School Bus Cupcakes:
1. Bake the Cupcakes:
Prepare your cupcakes by following the directions on the cake mix box. For best results, use yellow cupcake liners to match the school bus theme.
Bake and let them cool completely before decorating.
2. Make the Frosting:
While the cupcakes are cooling, whip up a batch of buttercream frosting. Beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar.
Mix in vanilla extract and milk until smooth. Add yellow food coloring until you achieve a bright school bus yellow shade.
3. Decorate the Cupcakes:
Frost each cupcake with a generous layer of yellow buttercream. Now for the fun part — the decorations!
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Wheels: Use mini Oreos or black candies at the bottom of the cupcake to represent wheels.
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Windows: Cut small rectangles from white fondant or use white chocolate pieces for bus windows. Pipe outlines using black piping gel or black icing.
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Lights: Use small round candies like red and orange M&Ms for front and back lights.
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Details: Add black licorice strips to form doors, bumpers, or roof lines.
Let the kids join in the decorating — it’s a great back-to-school activity and makes for some very sweet memories.
🛒 Recommended Amazon Affiliate Products:
Here are some handy tools and supplies that will make your School Bus Cupcake adventure easier and even more delightful:
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Wilton Yellow Food Coloring Gel – Achieve the perfect bright school bus yellow!
👉 Buy on Amazon -
Cupcake Decorating Kit – Includes piping bags, tips, and couplers to create neat frosting designs.
👉 Buy on Amazon -
Mini Oreo Cookies Snack Packs – Perfect for making cupcake wheels and great for school lunches too!
👉 Buy on Amazon -
Fondant Starter Pack (with cutters) – Create windows, doors, and more with ease.
👉 Buy on Amazon -
Reusable Silicone Cupcake Liners – Eco-friendly and colorful, ideal for baking and themed parties.
👉 Buy on Amazon
🎉 Final Thoughts:
School Bus Cupcakes are a playful, creative treat that kids and adults alike will love.
Whether you’re welcoming a new school year or celebrating a class milestone, these cupcakes are sure to bring smiles.
They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and offer a great opportunity to spend quality time with your little ones before the busy school routine begins.
So grab your ingredients, get your decorating gear, and start baking! Your School Bus Cupcakes are ready to roll. 🚍🧁
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