Easter Chick Cupcakes (Printable)
Festive yellow cupcakes topped with fluffy buttercream and decorated as cute Easter chicks using simple candies. Ideal for spring occasions.
# What goes in:
→ 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 for eyes
16 - 12 orange candy-coated chocolates or mini orange jelly beans for beaks
17 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, optional
# Directions:
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. Mix in vanilla extract.
04 - Add half of the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, followed by the milk, then remaining dry ingredients. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
05 - Divide batter evenly among prepared cupcake liners. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk. Mix in vanilla extract and yellow gel food coloring until desired vibrant yellow shade is achieved.
07 - Generously frost cooled cupcakes with yellow buttercream. Optionally dip frosted tops in shredded coconut for a feathered texture. Place two mini chocolate chips for eyes and one orange candy for the beak on each cupcake.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These bring an instant dose of spring cheer to any table and make people smile before they even take a bite
- The decorating is foolproof enough that even little hands can help and feel proud of their creations
02 -
- Make sure those cupcakes are completely cool before frosting or your buttercream will melt right off and those chocolate chips will slide into sad positions
- Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to avoid thinning out your frosting and ending up with droopy chicks instead of fluffy ones
03 -
- If your buttercream becomes too soft while decorating, pop the bowl in the refrigerator for 10 minutes and it will firm up enough to hold those cute chick shapes perfectly
- Press the chocolate chips and orange candies gently into the frosting rather than placing them on top, which keeps them secure during transport