Easter Nest Cupcakes
These easy Easter nest cupcakes have a yellow cake base make from a doctored yellow cake mix. They have swirl of rich chocolate frosting and are decorated with adorable candy eggs.
Equipment
- electric mixer Either a hand mixer or a stand mixer
- 1 piping bag
- 1 Star frosting tip I like the Wilton 1M tip.
Ingredients
Cupcake Base
- 1 box yellow cake mix Any brand you like is fine
- 1 cup buttermilk Use buttermilk in place of the water your cake mix calls for. It might not be 1 cup, but most are. See note about buttermilk below.
- 1/2 cup melted butter Use melted butter in place of any oil your cake mix calls for. It might not be 1/2 cup, so check your box mix.
- 4 eggs Take however many eggs your cake mix calls for and add 1 more. My cake mix said to use 3 eggs, so I used 4 instead.
- 1 tsp vanilla optional
Chocolate Frosting
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4/6 Tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Prepare Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Prepare your yellow cake mix according to the box instructions but substitute these ingredients: Swap out water for buttermilk (or 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Swap out any oil for melted butter. Add 1 egg to however many eggs your box mix says to use.
- Mix your cake mix , buttermilk, melted butter and eggs together. Try not to overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly among the liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for the amount of time your cake mix says to for cupcakes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before adding frosting.
Make Frosting and Assemble Nest Cupcakes
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix on low speed until combined, then increase the speed to medium.
- Add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a good consistency.
- Add in the vanilla extract for a rich, smooth finish.
- Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip, frost each cupcake with a swirl of chocolate frosting.
- Gently press a few mini chocolate eggs into the center of each cupcake, creating a little nest.