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I ran a Cupcake Decorating Class for my friends, and I came up with the design for these Easter Nest Cupcakes as a way to use a grass piping nozzle. When I popped a photo of it on my Instagram I had so many requests for the recipe! So here it is, light vanilla cupcakes with a chocolate buttercream nest, filled with mini eggs. They are super cute, great for Easter and brilliant for making with kids. Piping the nest is really easy with the right nozzle, and it doesn't matter how it turns out as nests are meant to be rustic!

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Ingredient Tips & Equipment Information

Make sure all your ingredients (particularly the butter and eggs) are at room temperature before you start baking.
I used a baking spread for the cupcakes and unsalted butter for the buttercream.
If you can't get hold of the grass piping nozzle (a Wilton 233) you can use a small open star nozzle to achieve a similar effect.
You can use any colour cupcake cases - I just loved matching the pastel shades to the colours of the Mini Eggs!
Although I provide cup measurements, I highly recommend weighing your ingredients out using digital kitchen scales. It is the most accurate way to measure ingredients and will ensure the best results. Digital scales are very low cost and can be purchased for around £12 ($16.50).
For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, please use measuring spoons and not the type of spoons you eat with. Again this will ensure accuracy and provide the best results.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to make Easter Nest Cupcakes

To make the cupcakes, mix the baking spread and caster sugar together in a mixing bowl for 5 minutes using an electric mixer. Or mix in the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Then add the eggs and vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.

Gently fold in, or whisk by hand, the self raising flour. Then divide the mixture between the cupcake cases. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until risen, lightly golden and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Leave the cupcakes to cool fully on a cooling rack. To make the buttercream, mix the softened butter for a few minutes on it's own. This is best done in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, or you can use an electric hand mixer. Then add the icing sugar, cocoa powder, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined and you have a smooth buttercream. Pipe it onto the cupcakes using a Wilton 233 nozzle (also known as a grass nozzle). Add three mini eggs in the centre.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

How long do the cupcakes last for and can they be frozen?

The cupcakes will last for 2-3 days in an airtight container in a cool place. You can freeze both the cupcakes and the buttercream. To freeze them separately, wrap the cupcakes well in cling film or put them in an airtight container. The buttercream can be frozen in a sealed tub. To freeze them decorated, freeze the cupcakes on a plate until frozen solid, then carefully wrap in cling film. Remove the clingfilm when you take the cupcakes out of the freezer to defrost, as if they defrost with it still on it could damage the buttercream.

Can you make the cupcakes with plain/all purpose flour?

Self raising flour, which is very commonly used in the UK where I am based, already contains a raising agent and a little salt too. Therefore if you want to swap it for plain or all purpose flour, you will need to add some baking powder and also a little salt if you like. Some people like to add salt to cake recipes and some don't, so I'll leave that up to you as it won't affect the bake. The general advice is to add 2 teaspoons baking powder (a measuring teaspoon, not the kind you stir your coffee with) per every 200g plain or all purpose flour. So for this recipe you'd need to add 1 + ½ teaspoons baking powder. Please note, I have not tested this recipe using plain or all purpose flour.

Is butter or a baking spread better for cupcakes?

I prefer to use a baking spread (my preferred brand is Stork) for cupcake and cake sponges. I find that they are easier to use and they make the sponge rise more. You can also use most baking spread straight from the fridge, which is handy during a last minute baking emergency!

Should you use salted or unsalted butter for cupcakes?

I always use unsalted butter and baking spread for baking. This is because if you want to add salt to your recipe, you then have complete control of the salt level. Lots of people add salt to enhance the flavour of baked goods, so when you do this you want to know exactly how much you're adding. I personally prefer not to add salt to cakes and cupcakes. However, using a salted butter or baking spread will not affect the bake negatively and won't make it taste salty.

Can the cupcakes be made gluten or dairy free?

Yes! For gluten free you can replace the self raising flour with a gluten free self raising flour blend. If you only have a gluten free plain flour blend, you will need to add baking powder. The general advice is to add 2 tsp baking powder per 200g flour, so for this recipe you'd need to add 1 + ½ teaspoons baking powder. You may also like to add ¼ tsp xantham gum for better texture. For a dairy free version, use a dairy free baking spread and dairy free milk for the cupcakes and the buttercream. For the buttercream I recommend using a block butter alternative, such as Flora Plant or the Stork Baking Block, for best results. You will also need to decorate the cupcakes with dairy free chocolate eggs, such as Mummy Meegz Chuckie Eggs or Doisy & Dam Good Eggs. Please do check the labels for everything you use to make the cupcakes if you are serving it to someone with an allergy or intolerance.

Do you need an electric mixer to make this recipe?

While you can absolutely make this recipe with a wooden spoon and some elbow grease, I do recommend using an electric mixer for the best results. The cupcakes will be lighter and fluffier when made with an electric mixer. The buttercream will also be smoother. You don't have to use an expensive stand mixer either, you can get electric hand whisks for as little as £10!

Do you have to beat the butter and sugar together for the full 5 minutes?

You don't have to, but I do recommend doing this to achieve the same results as me. I like a very slight bump or dome on my cupcakes, and for them to rise all the way to the top of the cupcake cases. I've tested this recipe multiple times and found that beating the butter and sugar together for 5 minutes achieves what I consider to be the perfect rise!

Can this recipe be made into a larger cake?

I don't have an exact bigger version of this cake, but the closest would be my Easter Chocolate Cake - check out the recipe for more details!

Can you make these cupcakes without a grass piping nozzle?

Yes! The best type of piping nozzle to use instead would be a small open star nozzle. Check out my Chocolate & Caramel Easter Nest Cupcakes for an example of how to create the nest effect without a grass nozzle.

What else can you decorate the cupcakes with?

You could use any small egg chocolate or sweets in the middle - there's Smarties eggs, mini creme eggs, Terry's chocolate orange eggs, Milkybar mini eggs, and so many more other options these days!

Troubleshooting

My number one tip for getting the best results is to read through this whole page of tips and recommendations before starting, and follow the recipe exactly. If you have any questions about this recipe, or if something went wrong and you need help, please use the comment form below and I will get back to you. You can also get in touch with me on my Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!

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