Easter Bunny Chocolate Cupcakes
Cute chocolate bunny cupcakes with fluffy vanilla frosting, perfect for Easter.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix about 15.25 oz, plus water, oil, and eggs as listed on the box
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 36 mini vanilla marshmallows for bunny tails and decoration
- 1/2 cup white candy melts
- 1/2 cup pink candy melts
- 24 edible candy eyes or 24 chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to the temperature specified on the chocolate cake mix box and line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.
- Prepare the chocolate cake batter according to the package directions using the water, oil, and eggs listed on the box.
- Divide the batter evenly among the 12 cupcake liners, filling each about two thirds full.
- Bake the cupcakes for the time indicated on the box, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cupcakes cool, make the frosting by beating the softened butter in a large bowl with a mixer until light and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla bean paste to the butter, beating on medium speed until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost the tops with a generous swirl of vanilla frosting to create a fluffy bunny body shape.
- Press 2 to 3 mini marshmallows onto the back of each cupcake to form a bunny tail and extra fluff.
- Melt the white candy melts in a microwave safe bowl in 20 second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Melt the pink candy melts in a separate microwave safe bowl in 20 second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Pipe or spoon the white candy melts onto a sheet of parchment paper in small ear shapes, then add a smaller line of pink candy melt in the center of each ear and let them harden completely.
- Gently lift the hardened candy ears from the parchment and insert two ears into the frosting on each cupcake.
- Place two edible eyes or chocolate chips on the front of each cupcake to create a bunny face and serve.
Notes
- Use a reduced sugar or higher protein chocolate cake mix if you want to better support blood sugar or lower carb goals.
- Make the candy melt ears a few hours ahead so they have plenty of time to harden before decorating the cupcakes.
- Make the candy melt ears a few hours ahead so they have plenty of time to harden before decorating the cupcakes.