I love Easter time. To me it represents everything new, fresh and bright. Spring has arrived, the flowers are starting to bloom, and the energy in the air seems to be one of happiness and hope. (though the current weather in NYC isn’t much of an indication of this!) I love the welcome of soft pastels and chocolate eggs filled with a variety of delicious fillings. As a child, my Easter mornings were spent at church in white mary janes and a fluffy floral dress (see below) followed by a near impossible egg hunt. (One time my uncle actually carved a hole out of a book and snuck an egg inside- brutal!)
I have to admit my Mom did a pretty great job at at keeping us fancy throughout the Easter’s huh? The girls’ expressions in the top-left picture are priceless.
Ha- I just had to share that…anyway! These cute “nests” can be made on any cupcake really- simply by sprinkling some toasted coconut in a little mound on top of the frosting. I used the Whopper brand “Robin’s Eggs” and nestled a couple in the coconut. The end result was as cute as can be and such an easy way to create a festive dessert for your Easter spread.
I think these Vanilla Cupcakes would also be great with coconut nests or even better- Carrot Cupcakes! (Lucky for you I am sharing a great recipe in a couple weeks!)
I used my favorite One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcake recipe and an equally easy chocolate buttercream which I am sharing below. As I said- any cupcake recipe works! This favorite recipe is simple and fast- and produces perfect results. It is definitely my new go-to chocolate cupcake recipe- anything this easy wins in my book!
PS- This is my last “real-time” post before we leave for Europe tomorrow. I will be checking my email daily, but please be patient as I may not be able to respond to questions and comments in a timely fashion. I have a full 2 weeks of posts all ready to go for you- I hope you like them! :)
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup warm water
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder (I used dutch process, but regular is fine)
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
- 2½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
- Easter egg candies for topping
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside.
- Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.
- Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each ⅔ full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.
- Cream butter for a few minutes in a mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed. Add 3 cups powdered sugar and cocoa. Mix on the lowest speed until the sugar and cocoa are absorbed by the butter. Increase speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add a little more powdered sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Toast coconut at 325F for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until evenly toasted.
- When cooled, frost each cupcake, top with toasted coconut, and nestle candy eggs inside.
Frosting recipe adapted from: Savory Sweet Life
Anne @The Cooking Campaign says
These look so beautiful! I’m in awe of them.
Cristina A. -The Batchmaker says
Have fun in your eurotrip! PS- Remember Giolittis Gelato. Trust me, you will come back and thank me on this very post once you try it! Hope your leg is feeling better too!
Audra says
Aw thanks for your concern Cristina! It’s doing much better :)
Don’t worry- I haven’t forgotten Giolittis! We’ll be there! :)
Julie @ Table for Two says
ha! these are so cute and creative. i love the little nests atop coconut flakes :) those pictures are classic! lol, makes me want to whip out some throwback photos, too!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
These are so cute! I love the coconut “nests”!
Joanne says
Okay these are seriously almost TOO cute!! I need these on my easter table, definitely.
Although, I have to admit they are out-cuted by the pictures of you and your sisters!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
How cute are these!? Perfect for Easter time and who doesn’t love more chocolate on top of a chocolate cupcake and chocolate butter cream!? Have a safe and wonderful trip :)
A farmer in the dell says
These are so stinking cute. All of those pastel colors are giving me hope that springtime and warmer weather really are arriving!!!
Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen says
Eeeeep! Too cute! I have plans to make a really similar recipe this weekend too! It’s mostly an excuse to buy those Whopper eggs. I have a weakness for them!
Gloria @ Simply Gloria says
Can’t wait for you to come back and tell us all about your trip! These look gorgeous!
Mimi @ Culinary Couture says
What’s your favorite chocolate cupcake recipe?
Audra says
Hey Mimi- It’s the one I shared in this post! :)
tara says
So cute! I love Easter too! Carrot cupcakes would be awesome.
Have fun! Can’t wait to read the planned posts! :)
Laura Jacques says
Just stumbled across your lovely blog and more importantly CUP CAKES (sorry for shouting but I am excited) I am definitely going to try them out, as I am usually much better at eating cakes than baking them- I am a florist in the UK, so, I am thinking cakes as well as flowers for my nearest and dearest this Easter!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
How adorable and festive! Perfect for Easter.
Tracey says
How cute are those pics of you and your sisters?? Seriously! I love these cupcakes, chocolate plus coconut is a major win in my book :)
Becca from cookie jar treats says
I love Easter for all the cuteness and pastel colors. Well then again I go bonkers for all holidays :)
These little nest cupcakes look adorable!
DessertForTwo says
These are so cute! And thanks for sharing those lovely family photos :)
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Those family pics are priceless!