Make Bunny Ears Cupcakes For Easter Marshmallow Fondant

Carrot cake is a beloved classic, known for its moist texture, warm spices, and of course, its signature ingredient: carrots. This delightful cake has a rich history dating back centuries, with roots in Europe and the Middle East. The addition of carrots not only adds a unique sweetness but also helps keep the cake moist and tender. Carrot cake cupcakes are a perfect recipe for Easter for several reasons. Firstly, carrots are a symbol of spring and renewal, making them a fitting ingredient for a holiday that celebrates new life. Secondly, the individual portions of cupcakes make them easy to serve and share, whether at a large gathering or a small family brunch. Finally, the cream cheese frosting that tops carrot cake cupcakes adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the sweet and spiced cake, making them a delightful treat for all ages. Whether you’re baking for a festive gathering or simply craving a taste of spring, carrot cake cupcakes are sure to delight your taste buds and bring a touch of sweetness to your Easter celebration. This recipe combines convenience, flavor, and elegance, making it the ultimate choice for carrot cake lovers everywhere.

Why are these the best cupcakes?

Moist and Flavorful: The combination of oil, sour cream, and grated carrots ensures these cupcakes are incredibly moist and flavorful. Perfect Texture: The addition of walnuts and raisins adds a delightful texture contrast to the soft cake, making each bite interesting and satisfying. Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, making it accessible to both novice and experienced bakers. Customizable: You can easily customize these cupcakes by adding or omitting ingredients to suit your taste preferences. For example, you could add coconut flakes or pineapple for extra flavor. Great for Sharing: The individual portions make these cupcakes perfect for sharing at gatherings, parties, or as gifts. Classic Flavor: Carrot cake is a classic dessert that appeals to a wide range of tastes, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Easter bunny ears cupcakes

Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 320 °F / 165 °C/ Gas Mark 3. Line the muffin pan with cupcake liners. Dry ingredients – In a bowl, combine flour with baking powder, spices, and salt. Set aside.

Wet ingredients – In the bowl of a stand mixer, with the whisk attachment, whip the whole eggs on medium speed for a minute. Then, gradually add both the white and brown sugar. Continue to whip until light and fluffy. Then, gradually add the oil, sour cream, and vanilla extractPro tip – Adding the sugar helps improve the emulsification properties giving us the maximum volume. Combine – Next, add in the flour mixture followed by the grated carrots, fruits, and nuts. Combine well but do not overmix.Pro tip – We don’t want to activate the gluten in our flour. Bake – Divide the batter between 12 cupcake liners in a muffin pan. Bake on the middle rack for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool – Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 to 7 minutes then cool on a cooling rack.Pro tip – Always cool cakes and cupcakes completely before decorating or the frosting will melt.

Frost the cupcakes

Buttercream – In the bowl of a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, salt, and vanilla extract for a minute until creamy. Next, add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until light and fluffy. Add green food color gel for the grass and transfer to the piping bag with a grass piping tip.Pro tip – For the grass, you will need a stiff buttercream so avoid adding too much milk or cream.

Frost – Pipe the grass frosting on the cupcakes and let them chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.Pro tip – It is best to put the eggs on the cupcakes once the forsting is chilled slightly so they don’t sink in. Bunny ears Fondant – Take two small equal balls of white fondant and roll them into teardrop shapes. Then, take two smaller balls of pink fondant and roll them into teardrop shapes. Place the pink teardrop on top of the larger white teardrop. Press down and flatten into a bunny ear. Shape and twist slightly to give them character. Marshmallow – I cut two heart-shaped marshmallows in equal halves. Dust with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.6 Marshmallows,8 oz White fondant Topper – Add the bunny ears on top of the chilled grass frosting and press it down slightly so it sinks into the grass.

Creative variations

Cream Cheese Frosting Swirl: Instead of fully frosting the cupcakes, swirl a small amount of cream cheese frosting on top of each cupcake for a more rustic and decorative look. Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle caramel sauce over the frosted cupcakes for a sweet and gooey addition. Spiced Frosting: Add a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to the cream cheese frosting for a spiced twist. Carrot Cake Muffins: Skip the frosting and bake the batter in a muffin tin for a more breakfast-friendly option. Coconut Carrot Cupcakes: Fold in some shredded coconut into the batter for added texture and flavor. Pineapple Carrot Cupcakes: Add crushed pineapple to the batter for a tropical twist. Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: Use maple syrup instead of vanilla extract in the cream cheese frosting for a maple-flavored frosting.

Creative ways to celebrate with Easter cupcakes

Easter Basket Cupcakes: Arrange cupcakes in a basket-shaped display, using green-tinted shredded coconut as grass and candy eggs or chocolate bunnies nestled among the cupcakes to mimic Easter egg hunts. Easter Egg Nest Cupcakes: Frost cupcakes with chocolate frosting and top them with chocolate or candy-coated eggs arranged in a nest-like formation made from shredded wheat or pretzel sticks. Add a sprinkle of edible glitter or colored sugar for extra sparkle. Cross Cupcakes: Use a cross-shaped cookie cutter to cut out fondant or decorate cupcakes with piped frosting crosses, symbolizing the religious significance of Easter. Arrange them on a cross-shaped serving tray for a reverent display. Chick Cupcakes: Decorate cupcakes with yellow frosting and candy eyes to resemble fluffy chicks. Use orange fondant or candy corn for beaks and arrange them in a row to create a charming chick-themed display. Spring Flower Cupcakes: Frost cupcakes with pastel-colored frosting and arrange edible flower decorations made from frosting, fondant, or candy on top. Display them on a tiered stand to create a stunning garden-inspired centerpiece. Easter Bunny Butt Cupcakes: Frost cupcakes with pastel-colored frosting and top them with a bunny tail made from a mini marshmallow or cotton candy. Add bunny feet made from fondant or cookies for a whimsical touch. Easter Rainbow Cupcakes: Create colorful layers of cake batter in each cupcake liner to resemble a rainbow when sliced. Top with fluffy clouds made from frosting and a fondant rainbow decoration for a vibrant and cheerful display. Egg Decorating Cupcake Station: Set up a cupcake decorating station with plain frosted cupcakes and an assortment of colorful frosting, sprinkles, edible glitter, and Easter-themed candy for guests to decorate their own Easter cupcakes. Easter Cupcake Bouquet: Arrange cupcakes on skewers or lollipop sticks and arrange them in a flower pot filled with Easter grass or shredded paper. Add ribbon bows or decorative accents to create a charming cupcake bouquet centerpiece.

Easter Birds Nest Cupcakes Easter Chick Cookies Easter Bunny Butt Cupcakes Frosted Bunny Cookies with Royal Icing Easter Bread or Mini Italian Easter Bread