Chocolate Easter Egg Nest Cupcakes
These treats combine moist chocolate cake with a charming nest of chocolate frosting, topped with colorful egg candies.
Equipment
- Muffin tin
- Cupcake liners
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Piping bag with a star tip
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup boiling water
CHOCOLATE EGG NEST FROSTING
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 24 mini chocolate egg candies
Instructions
CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the oil, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Blend Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
CHOCOLATE EGG NEST FROSTING
- Cream Butter: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until creamy.
- Add Sugars and Cocoa: Gradually add confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder, mixing on low speed until incorporated.
- Mix in Vanilla and Cream: Add vanilla extract and heavy cream, beating on high speed until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Pipe Nests: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe nests onto each cooled cupcake. Place 2-3 mini chocolate eggs in the center of each frosting nest.