Easter is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen, especially when it comes to festive treats that bring smiles to everyone’s faces. These Easter Bunny and Chick Cupcakes are not just adorable to look at, but they’re also delicious and surprisingly simple to make. The combination of fluffy vanilla cupcakes topped with playful animal designs makes them an instant hit at any spring gathering.
What I love most about these cupcakes is how they transform a basic recipe into something magical through simple decorating techniques that even beginners can master. Children especially delight in these cute creations, making them perfect for family Easter celebrations or spring-themed parties.
Why You’ll Love This
- Kid-friendly project that doubles as a delicious dessert
- Uses simple decorating techniques that don’t require special tools
- Can be prepared ahead of time and assembled when needed
- Customizable with different colors and flavors to suit your preferences
- Makes a stunning centerpiece for your Easter dessert table
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Vanilla Cupcakes (or your favorite cake mix)
- 1 recipe Fluffy Vanilla Frosting (or store-bought frosting)
- Yellow and white sprinkles
- Large and mini marshmallows
- Pink colored sanding sugar
- Black decorator icing
- Jelly beans (pink for bunny noses)
- Orange colored gum or M&Ms (for chick beaks)
- Yellow food coloring (for chick frosting)
Instructions
- Bake vanilla cupcakes according to your recipe or package directions. Allow to cool completely before decorating.
- Make vanilla frosting according to your recipe, or have store-bought frosting ready. For the chick cupcakes, tint half of the frosting yellow using food coloring.
- Mound and smooth three or four tablespoons of white frosting on top of each cupcake to create a domed surface for the bunny face.
- Cut large marshmallows in half diagonally to create the bunny ears. Dip the cut side in pink sanding sugar (the sugar sticks to the soft inside). To prevent sticking, lightly coat scissors with cooking spray before cutting marshmallows.
- Insert the sugar-coated marshmallow ears into the frosting at the top of the cupcake, with the pink sides facing inward.
- Cover the entire frosted surface with white sprinkles to create the bunny’s fur.
- Cut mini marshmallows in half and place them on the lower part of the face for the bunny cheeks. Add a pink jelly bean for the nose. Use black decorator icing to pipe on small dot eyes above the nose.
- Pipe the yellow-tinted frosting onto each cupcake in a simple spiral pattern using a large plain piping tip.
- Cover the frosting with yellow sprinkles to create a feathery texture. Lightly sprinkle with yellow sanding sugar for extra sparkle.
- Add an orange piece of gum or an orange M&M for the beak. Pipe two small dots of black decorator icing above the beak for the eyes.
- Display your Easter cupcakes and serve, or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Tips & Variations
- For a homemade touch, replace the boxed mix with your favorite vanilla cupcake recipe
- Use natural food colorings like turmeric for yellow and beet juice for pink if you prefer to avoid artificial dyes
- Make lamb cupcakes by using white frosting and mini marshmallows all over the top for a wooly appearance
- Try chocolate cupcakes with the same decorations for a different flavor profile
- Add a drop of almond extract to the frosting for a subtle flavor enhancement
- For a dairy-free option, use coconut cream-based frosting instead of traditional buttercream
Serving Suggestions
These cupcakes make a beautiful display when arranged on a tiered cake stand lined with artificial grass or green tissue paper. Create a little Easter scene by adding chocolate eggs and small Easter decorations around the base.
Serve alongside fresh fruit skewers and pastel-colored Easter punch for a complete spring-themed dessert spread. For brunch gatherings, pair with savory items like mini quiches and fruit salad for a balanced offering.
Notes
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days
- For best results, decorate cupcakes the same day you plan to serve them
- If making ahead, store unfrosted cupcakes in the freezer for up to 1 month and decorate after thawing
- The decorations may soften if refrigerated for too long, so add them as close to serving time as possible
FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the cake mix with a gluten-free vanilla cake mix. Just make sure all your decorations are also gluten-free.
How do I prevent the marshmallow ears from falling over?
Make sure your frosting is thick enough to hold them. You can also insert a toothpick through both marshmallows to help them stand upright.
Can I make these cupcakes in advance for a party?
You can bake the cupcakes 1-2 days ahead and store them in an airtight container. It’s best to decorate them the day of your event for the freshest appearance.
What can I use instead of coconut for the bunny fur?
If you’re avoiding coconut, you can use white sprinkles or white chocolate shavings to create a similar textured appearance.
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