Description
Hop into the joy of Easter with these Springtime Bunny Cupcakes! Fluffy vanilla cupcakes topped with vibrant green buttercream “grass” and adorned with chocolate bunnies and mini eggs make for the perfect festive treat. Fun to bake and even more delightful to decorate, these cupcakes are a must for any Easter celebration!
Ingredients
Makes 12 cupcakes
For the cupcakes:
- 175g softened butter (or dairy-free spread)
- 175g golden caster sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 175g self-raising flour
- 2 Tbsp milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the decoration:
- 100g softened butter (or dairy-free spread)
- 225g icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Green gel food coloring
- 1 Tbsp milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- 12 Maltesers Mini Bunnies (or any small chocolate bunnies)
- 80g mini eggs
Instructions
- Prep the Baking Stage
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (Gas Mark 4 / 350°F).
- Line a 12-hole muffin tin with cupcake cases.
- Whipping Up the Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Lightly beat the eggs in a separate bowl, then gradually add them to the butter-sugar mix, whisking after each addition.
- Sift the self-raising flour over the mixture and gently blend on low speed.
- Pour in the milk and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth.
- Bake to Perfection
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake cases.
- Smooth the tops with the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cupcakes are golden and springy to the touch.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Creating the Green Grass Buttercream
- Beat the butter until fluffy.
- Sift in the icing sugar, adding it gradually while mixing.
- Pour in the vanilla extract and continue whisking.
- Add green gel food coloring and mix until evenly distributed.
- If needed, add small splashes of milk to adjust the consistency for piping.
- Decorating the Easter Garden
- Spoon the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a grass nozzle.
- Pipe tufts of grass across each cupcake.
- Place a chocolate bunny in the center, ensuring it stands upright (add extra icing behind it for support if needed).
- Scatter mini eggs around the bunny for a festive touch.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: Cupcakes can be baked a day in advance and stored in an airtight container. Frost just before serving for the best presentation.
- Allergy-Friendly Swap: Use dairy-free butter and milk alternatives to make these cupcakes completely dairy-free.
- Decoration Variations: Swap mini eggs for sprinkles or edible flowers for a different Easter look!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American