Easter Chick Cupcakes (Printable version)
Festive yellow cupcakes transformed into cute Easter chicks with buttercream and candy decorations.
# What you'll need:
→ Cupcake Batter
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 - 1/2 cup whole milk
→ Buttercream Frosting
10 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 2 cups powdered sugar
12 - 2 tbsp milk
13 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
14 - Yellow gel food coloring
→ Decorations
15 - 24 mini chocolate chips
16 - 12 orange candy-coated chocolates or mini orange jelly beans
17 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
03 - In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
04 - Add half the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, followed by milk, then remaining dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk. Mix in vanilla and yellow food coloring until desired shade is reached.
07 - Frost cooled cupcakes generously with yellow buttercream. Optionally dip tops in shredded coconut for feathers. Add two chocolate chips for eyes and one orange candy for the beak.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These cupcakes turn an ordinary spring dessert into something that makes everyone at the table smile before they even take a bite
- The decorating process is forgiving enough for kids to help, but impressive enough that adults will want to know your secret
02 -
- Completely cooled cupcakes are non-negotiable. Warm cupcakes will melt your buttercream and make decorating frustrating instead of fun.
- Gel food coloring is worth the extra trip to the store. Liquid coloring can make your frosting too thin to hold those cute chick features.
03 -
- Keep a damp paper towel nearby while decorating to clean frosting off your fingers between cupcakes
- Place your decorated cupcakes in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving to help everything set nicely