Easter chick cupcakes (Printable)
Festive yellow cupcakes decorated as cute chicks for Easter spring gatherings.
# What You'll 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 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 the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners and set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
04 - Add half of the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until incorporated. Pour in the milk, then add the remaining dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
05 - Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely in the pan before transferring to a wire rack.
06 - In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, and beat until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract and add yellow gel food coloring a few drops at a time until the desired chick-yellow shade is achieved.
07 - Generously frost the cooled cupcakes with the yellow buttercream using a spatula or piping bag. For a feathery texture, optionally dip the frosted tops into shredded coconut. Press two mini chocolate chips into the frosting for eyes and place an orange candy-coated chocolate or jelly bean sideways for the beak. Use a small dab of frosting to help decorations adhere if needed.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cuteness factor is absolutely through the roof, plus theyre genuinely delicious vanilla cupcakes underneath all that decoration
- Kids can practically do the decorating themselves, making it the perfect kitchen activity for holiday weekends
02 -
- Wait until cupcakes are completely cool before frosting or your buttercream will melt right off
- A grass piping tip creates that perfectly fluffy chick texture if you want to skip the coconut step
03 -
- If your buttercream is too stiff, add another teaspoon of milk until it reaches spreadable consistency
- These cupcakes actually taste better on day two when the flavors have had time to mingle