Adorable Vanilla Bunny Cupcakes (Printable version)
Charming vanilla cupcakes with coconut-coated buttercream, marshmallow ears, and candy faces. Perfect for Easter and spring celebrations.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/4 tsp salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk
→ Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar
11 - 2 tbsp milk
12 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
→ Decorations
14 - 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
15 - 24 mini marshmallows
16 - Pink sanding sugar or edible pink glitter
17 - 24 candy eyes or mini chocolate chips
18 - 12 pink jelly beans or pink candies
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
04 - Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three batches, alternating with milk. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
05 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
07 - Frost cooled cupcakes with a generous layer of buttercream. Dip each frosted cupcake into shredded coconut, pressing gently to adhere, creating a fur effect.
08 - Cut each mini marshmallow in half diagonally. Dip the sticky cut side into pink sanding sugar to create the inner ear detail.
09 - Insert two marshmallow ears into each cupcake. Add two candy eyes and a pink jelly bean nose. Use extra coconut to create cheeks if desired.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- The combination of sweet coconut fluffy frosting and moist vanilla cupcake creates the perfect bite of spring in every mouthful.
- Kids and adults alike cannot resist grabbing these adorable treats first at any gathering.
02 -
- Cupcakes must be completely cooled before frosting or the buttercream will melt and slide right off taking the coconut with it.
- Work quickly when dipping marshmallows in sanding sugar because the sticky cut side dries fast and the sugar will not adhere properly.
03 -
- Toast about half of the coconut in a dry pan until golden brown and mix it with the white coconut for a multicolored fur effect that looks incredibly realistic.
- Use a clean pair of tweezers to place the tiny candy eyes exactly where you want them without getting frosting all over your fingers.