Easter Basket Cupcakes Coconut (Printable Version)

Festive cupcakes with coconut grass and candy accents, ideal for springtime gatherings and celebrations.

# What You Need:

→ For the Cupcakes

01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk
06 - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
07 - 1/4 tsp salt
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ For the Buttercream Frosting

09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2 tbsp milk
12 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt

→ For Decoration

14 - 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
15 - 2-3 drops green food coloring
16 - 1 cup assorted mini chocolate eggs or jelly beans
17 - 12 licorice ropes or flexible candy strips

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
06 - Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
08 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
09 - In a zip-top bag, combine shredded coconut and green food coloring. Seal and shake until coconut is evenly tinted green.
10 - Frost cooled cupcakes with buttercream, then gently press green coconut on top to resemble grass.
11 - Decorate each cupcake with 2-3 candy eggs or jelly beans nestled in the grass.
12 - Curve a licorice rope or candy strip and press the ends into each cupcake to form a basket handle.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • These cupcakes stop conversations at Easter brunch every single time
  • The buttercream is accidentally perfect not too sweet, just dreamy enough
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are the difference between light fluffy cupcakes and dense sad ones
  • Overmixing the batter once flour is added creates tough rubbery cake, stop as soon as you see no dry streaks
03 -
  • Chill frosted cupcakes for 15 minutes before adding handles, they stay upright much better
  • Use kitchen scissors to cut licorice to exactly the right length for each cupcake

Return