Easter Chick Cupcakes (Printable Version)

Festive yellow vanilla cupcakes decorated as cute Easter chicks with buttercream frosting and candy details.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# Directions:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These adorable chicks make everyone smile before they even take a bite
  • The vanilla cupcakes are incredibly moist and the buttercream is perfectly sweet
  • Kids can help with the decorating, turning baking into a fun family activity
02 -
  • Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting or the buttercream will melt right off
  • Gel food coloring is worth the extra trip to the store for that bright Easter yellow
  • Place decorated cupcakes in the fridge for 10 minutes to set the faces before serving
03 -
  • Use chopsticks to place the tiny eyes and beaks precisely where you want them
  • Work with one cupcake at a time once you start decorating, the frosting sets faster than you think

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