Easter treats – cute birds nest cupcakes
Holidays are a special time of the year for everyone and once we have decided on the decoration of the house, it is about time to think of one of the most important elements that gathers us around the table – festive food. If you are looking for ideas for festive Easter treats we shall offer you a simple recipe for birds nest cupcakes which will be also fun to make.
To make beautiful and cute birds nest cupcakes decoration you will need some simple ingredients. Start with the vanilla cupcakes as they need to be completely cooled before decorating them. If you have a favourite recipe – use it. In case you have not – here is one for you.
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened and diced into pieces
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients – flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the wet ingredients – butter, egg, egg yolks, vanilla and sour cream, and then beat the ingredients together. Stir with a mixer for 30 seconds until all is blended. Divide the mixture evenly among 12 paper-lined muffin cups (they should each be about 2/3 full). Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
Once your cupcakes are completely cool you can start decorating them. To make a Chocolate buttercream you will need:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- Yellow and red food-coloring gel
Whip the butter until smooth and fluffy in a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer and blend it with the powder sugar, cream and vanilla until light and fluffy. Put 2-1/2 tablespoons of the frosting (without cocoa powder) into a small bowl and color with the yellow and red gel food coloring to reach the desired orange color. Add the cocoa powder to the remaining mixture and whip until well combined with an electric mixer.
Use some toasted coconut (it takes 8-9 minutes into the oven to toast) blue chocolate eggs and chocolate chips. Frost the cooled cupcakes with the chocolate buttercream frosting. Gently press three mini eggs into the center of each and sprinkle toasted coconut around them. Fill a zip-close bag with orange-tinted frosting, cut a very small tip off the edge of the bag and pipe beaks onto the eggs. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl for 20-second and with a toothpick, paint eyes onto the chicks with the melted chocolate.
Also read: Simple and Delicious Easter Sugar Cookies and Some Decoration Ideas
and
Personalized Easter Baskets Ideas- Time for Fun and Easter Egg Hunt!
