Easy Easter Cupcakes!

Friday 25 March 2016



Now I know I'm usually a total health freak, but I am human so I do indulge in a treat now and then. It's not exactly something you can avoid at Easter time and I was really in the mood to do some baking for my family. These are really simple and fun to make, perfect for chilling over the long weekend!

I haven't made cupcakes in a while and was starting to really crave them. I've used this recipe for Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes so many times because it's the best I've ever found. The credit goes to Glory for spending so long experimenting to find the right mix so the rest of us don't have too (bless her!) Her blog is full of amazing treats if you want to go have a look, although it always gives me the biggest sugar craving!


For 15-16 cupcakes, you will need: 

1 1/4 cups cake flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup oil (vegetable, canola or extra light olive oil)
1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk plus 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar or lemon juice- add acid to the milk then set aside for 5 minutes before using)

Here's what to do: 

Preheat your oven to 175*C

Line muffin tins with paper cases. 

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together with a whisk and set aside.

In another bowl with an electric mixer, beat the eggs for 10-20 seconds. Add the sugar and continue beating for 30 seconds. Add the vanilla and oil, beat again.

Reduce mixer to a lower speed, slowly add half of the flour mixture. Add half of the buttermilk, then the rest of the flour, and then the other half of the milk. Beat until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and combine any remaining mix. The batter will be thin.

Pour the mix into the prepared muffin tins and fill them 2/3 full.

Bake for 12-14 minutes

Cool for 2 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.

Make sure to wait until your cupcakes have completely cooled before icing them!

Now comes the fun part of making these puppies look cute.





I used the American buttercream icing recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks, Tea with Bea. I've used it again and again to get the perfect icing for whatever I'm making. I actually only made half of the mixture since it's set for 24 cupcakes.


175g butter, cut into cubes and softened
3 and 1/2 cups icing sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, makes the mixture whiter!)

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until it's light and fluffy. Stir in the milk, vanilla, and lemon.

Spoon into a piping bag and cut off the corner. Pipe the icing in a spiral on top of the cupcakes.



For the toppings, I crumbled some Cadbury Flake on top and then placed a couple of mini-eggs in the middle.

And you're done!




 How cute are these? I love how they turned out and my family were really impressed too. You could easily do a chocolate version of this instead of the vanilla if you wanted an extra fix this weekend.

I hope you all have a great Easter holiday!

What Easter treats are your favorite?
Steph x.



24 comments :

  1. Seems like such a simple yet fun recipe, Easter is the perfect time fr a spot of baking.

    Tasha x
    sincereblonde.com

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    Replies
    1. It really is! I love baking at Easter : ) Glad you liked it!

      Steph x.

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  2. They're so cute! I think I'm going to have to try them!

    Amelie | A Wanderer's Adventures

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! Let me know if you do : )
      Steph x.

      Delete
  3. Oh these looks so cute and yummy! I am meant to being so good but all this Easter yumminess if killing me! 🙈

    www.leenyloves.blogspot.co.uk // LeenyLoves

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha thanks! Me too : ( I even made healthy hot cross buns but I really wanted to make these! I hope you had a great Easter holiday.
      Steph x.

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  4. I also use the same vanilla recipe as you hahah! I often like to add choc chips to mine as well :) Your decoration is so pretty and nice though, I don't think I could ever make mine as pretty

    Kathy x
    www.alongcamekathy.blogspot.co.nz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No way! It's a great recipe, right? Chocolate chips would be so good, I must do that. The decoration is so easy! Yours would look lovey too : )
      Steph x.

      Delete
  5. These look amazing! I wish I had some time to do Easter baking everyone is producing some great treats and it is making me jealous xxx

    Thrifty vintage fashion

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! You can always make them a little later ; ) I hope you have a lovely Easter!
      Steph x.

      Delete
  6. Yummy, these look delicious! You can never go wrong with vanilla cupcakes :) have a wonderful easter time x

    Sara / AboutLittleThiings

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    Replies
    1. Agreed! Never fails to be delicious. I hope you have a lovely Easter too Sara : )
      Steph x.

      Delete
  7. Mmmm these look fit =]

    emyii90.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  8. These look amazing! have a lovely easter

    Parie x
    classandglitter.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Parie! Have a very lovely Easter : )
      Steph x.

      Delete
  9. Eeek, these look so cute! Definitely want to make them! Have a great Easter! :) xxx

    Sarah / Sarah Smiles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Let me know if you do make them : ) Have a great Easter lovely!
      Steph x.

      Delete
  10. These look delicious, and so cute! I'll try anything that has a Flake on top! I love them so much, but sadly I haven't had one in quite a while.

    Amanda | bullet-ing.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Amanda! Flakes are so yummy : ) I hope you have a great Easter!
      Steph x.

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  11. These look effing AMAZING. My easter just got a million times better ha ha.

    Ps. Did I mention that your photography is KILLIN' it!?

    Katie.
    xx LA-COCO-NOIRE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha thanks so much! You can't have too many treats at Easter : ) Hope you have a great one!
      Wow thank you : D
      Steph x.

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  12. These look awesome Steph. I am craving mini eggs really bad now! :p We usually stock up from when home when Easter is upon us but we completely forgot this year! :p They are the best! xx

    Lucy x |~ SweetIsAlwaysInStyle || Lifestyle Blog ~

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lucy! Oh no! Mini Eggs are my new favorite Easter treat : ) I hope you and Kelly had a lovely Easter!
      Steph x.

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