Easter Chick Cupcakes (Printable version)
Festive vanilla cupcakes topped with yellow buttercream and decorated as cute Easter chicks using chocolate chips and orange candies.
# What you need:
→ Cupcake Batter
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - 1/2 cup whole milk
→ Buttercream Frosting
10 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 2 cups powdered sugar
12 - 2 tablespoons milk
13 - 1 teaspoon 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
# How to make it:
01 - Preheat 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 medium bowl.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Add half of dry ingredients to 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 or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, alternating with milk. Add vanilla and yellow food coloring, mixing until desired color is achieved.
07 - Generously frost cooled cupcakes with yellow buttercream. Optionally dip tops in shredded coconut for a feathered effect. Place two mini chocolate chips for eyes and one orange candy for the beak on each cupcake.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- These transform basic vanilla cupcakes into something that makes both children and grownups actually gasp when they see the platter
- The decorations are so simple that even my frosting-challenged self manages to make them look professionally adorable
02 -
- Cool cupcakes completely before frosting or your buttercream will melt right off that beautiful dome
- A piping bag with a grass tip creates the most realistic fluffy texture if you want to level up your decorating game
03 -
- Use a small pair of tweezers to place the mini chocolate chips precisely where you want them
- Wilton tip 233 creates perfect grass-like texture if you want to pipe the feathers instead of using coconut