Easter chick cupcakes (Print Version)

Festive spring cupcakes decorated as cute yellow chicks with buttercream frosting

# What You'll Need:

→ Cupcake Batter

01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 - 1/2 cup whole milk

→ Buttercream Frosting

10 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 2 cups powdered sugar
12 - 2 tbsp milk
13 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
14 - Yellow gel food coloring

→ Decorations

15 - 24 mini chocolate chips
16 - 12 orange candy-coated chocolates or mini orange jelly beans
17 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

# How to Cook:

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 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, followed by milk, then remaining dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among prepared liners. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually blend in powdered sugar, alternating with milk. Mix in vanilla and yellow food coloring until desired shade is achieved.
07 - Generously frost cooled cupcakes with yellow buttercream. Optionally dip tops in shredded coconut for a feathered effect. Place two mini chocolate chips for eyes and one orange candy for the beak on each cupcake.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These cupcakes are secretly forgiving, even if your decorating skills are questionable like mine
  • The buttercream frosting is genuinely delicious, not just sweet for the sake of being sweet
  • Kids and adults get equally excited about turning food into tiny animals
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients will prevent your cupcakes from sinking in the middle
  • Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting, or your chicks will look like they're melting
  • The coconut step is messy but creates such a better finished look
03 -
  • Use a toothpick to gently position the chocolate chips after placing them
  • If your buttercream is too stiff, add milk one teaspoon at a time
  • Wipe your piping bag between colors if you're making chicks in different shades

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