Easter Basket Cupcakes Coconut (Printable Version)
Colorful cupcakes adorned with coconut grass and candy eggs, ideal for festive celebrations.
# Ingredient List:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Frosting
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar
11 - 2-3 tablespoons milk
12 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Decorations
14 - 1 1/4 cups sweetened shredded coconut
15 - Green food coloring
16 - 36 mini candy-coated chocolate eggs
17 - 12 sour candy belts or licorice ropes
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
04 - Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
06 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla, beating well. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is achieved.
07 - In a zip-top bag, combine shredded coconut with a few drops of green food coloring. Seal the bag and shake until the coconut is evenly tinted.
08 - Frost each cupcake generously. Sprinkle or gently press the green coconut grass onto the frosting. Arrange 2-3 candy eggs in the center of each cupcake. Insert a sour candy belt or licorice rope into each cupcake to create a basket handle.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They are ridiculously fun to make with kids who get to color coconut and arrange eggs
- The combination of fluffy vanilla cake with sweet frosting and crunchy coconut is texture perfection
02 -
- Make sure your cupcakes are completely cool before frosting or the frosting will melt right off
- Start with just 2 drops of green food coloring and add more gradually since a little goes a long way
03 -
- Wear gloves when coloring the coconut to avoid staining your hands green
- Insert the candy handles at a slight angle rather than perfectly straight for a more natural basket look