Description
These Easter cupcake ideas bring springtime charm to your dessert table. Bird nest cupcakes with speckled egg frosting are topped with blue buttercream, toasted coconut “nests,” and mini chocolate eggs. The cocoa-flick technique creates realistic speckles, making them a must-try coconut nest dessert. Perfect for an Easter cake or cupcake recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to serve.
Ingredients
Cupcakes (makes 12):
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 1/2 tsp baking powder
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1/4 tsp salt
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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3/4 cup sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 tsp vanilla extract (or 1/2 tsp vanilla + zest of 1 lemon)
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1/2 cup milk
Buttercream Frosting:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
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2-3 tbsp milk or cream
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Blue gel food coloring (aqua or teal)
Decorations:
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1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
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36 mini candy-coated chocolate eggs (like Cadbury mini eggs)
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1 tsp cocoa powder + 1 tsp water (for speckling)
Instructions
1. Bake Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with 12 paper liners. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest (if using). Alternately add flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with flour. Divide into liners and bake 18–20 minutes. Cool completely.
2. Make Buttercream:
Beat butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then vanilla and 2 tbsp milk. Beat until fluffy. Add blue gel food coloring a little at a time until a Robin’s egg blue is reached. Adjust texture with more milk or sugar if needed.
3. Toast Coconut:
Toast coconut in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring until golden. Let cool on a plate.
4. Frost & Assemble:
Frost cupcakes with blue buttercream. Roll edges in toasted coconut to form a nest shape. Create a small indent on top of each. Place 2–3 mini eggs into the indent.
5. Speckle Effect:
Mix cocoa and water. Dip a clean food-safe brush into the mix. Flick bristles over cupcakes to create tiny cocoa spots for a speckled look. Practice first on parchment.
6. Serve:
Display on a platter. These beautiful speckled egg cupcakes are sure to wow at Easter brunch or dessert tables!
Notes
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Try lemon zest for a bright spring flavor.
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Use a piping bag for more precise frosting domes.
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Kids love helping with the speckling step!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Assembly Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American / Spring
