Adorable Easter Animal Cupcakes

Name: Adorable Easter Animal Cupcakes
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 140 g light brown soft sugar; 100 g self-raising flour; 50 g cocoa powder; 1 tsp baking powder; 2 large eggs; 135 ml vegetable oil; 4 tbsp milk; 300 g icing sugar; 150 g unsalted butter, softened; 250 g ready-rolled white fondant icing; 1 set orange, yellow, pink and black gel food colourings; 50 g white mini marshmallows

Delight your family with these charming Easter cupcakes featuring a rich chocolate sponge and whimsical fondant decorations. Perfect for holiday parties, these chicks, bunnies, and sheep are as fun to make as they are to eat!

Servings12 Portions

Prep Time45 Mins

Cook Time20 Mins

Difficulty

Intermediate

Ingredients

light brown soft sugar
140 g
self-raising flour
100 g
cocoa powder
50 g
baking powder
1 tsp
large eggs
2
vegetable oil
135 ml
milk
4 tbsp
icing sugar
300 g
unsalted butter, softened
150 g
ready-rolled white fondant icing
250 g
orange, yellow, pink and black gel food colourings
1 set
white mini marshmallows
50 g

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/gas 4). In a large mixing bowl, combine the light brown soft sugar, self-raising flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and a small pinch of salt.

In a separate jug, whisk together the large eggs, vegetable oil, and milk. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, whisking continuously until the batter is smooth and well combined.

Line a 12-hole cupcake tin with paper cases. Divide the batter evenly among the cases and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cupcakes have risen and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the buttercream icing by beating the icing sugar and softened unsalted butter with an electric whisk until the mixture is pale and fluffy. If the icing is too stiff for piping, whisk in a splash of milk to reach a smooth, pipeable consistency.

To decorate the chicks: Tint a small piece of fondant orange and another tiny piece black. Color a few tablespoons of icing yellow and pipe two blobs onto a cupcake (a larger one for the body and a smaller one for the head). Add black fondant eyes, a small orange cone for the beak, and pinched orange strips for the feet.