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These Easter Peeps Cupcakes are the perfect festive treat for spring. With a rich, chocolatey cupcake base and fluffy green frosting, they’re topped with adorable Peeps marshmallow bunnies and Robin’s Egg chocolate candies. These cupcakes are a fun and easy way to add a little sweetness to your Easter celebration!
Easy Easter Peeps Cupcakes Recipe
This recipes makes cupcakes that are soft, moist, and topped with a creamy buttercream frosting. I like to add green coloring to the frosting so it looks like fresh grass with the Peeps bunnies sitting right on top with candy eggs. But you can also use pastel colored frosting for a cute variation to match the bunnies.
Whenever I am invited to parties, I like to bring cute desserts like these cupcakes. Of course kids or in my case, grandkids, always love the peeps bunnies and will eat their ears off first. Whether you’re making them for an Easter party, a family gathering, or just for fun, they are sure to be a hit!
Ingredients Needed for Peeps Cupcakes
For the Cupcakes
- granulated sugar- Adds sweetness and moisture.
- all purpose flour- Provides structure to the cupcakes.
- cocoa powder- Gives the cupcakes a deep chocolate flavor.
- baking powder- Helps the cupcakes rise.
- baking soda- Works with the baking powder to help cupcakes rise to be light and fluffy.
- salt- Enhances the flavor.
- vanilla extract- Brings out the chocolate flavor.
- eggs- Helps bind the ingredients.
- milk- Keeps the cupcakes moist.
- vegetable or canola oil- Adds richness and moisture.
For the Frosting
- unsalted butter, softened- Creates a creamy, smooth frosting.
- powdered sugar- Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- vanilla extract- Adds the classic flavor to buttercream, especially if using this homemade vanilla recipe.
- milk- Helps create a smooth consistency.
- Green food coloring- Just use a drop or two, until you have the vibrant green color of fresh spring grass.
For Decorating
- Peeps bunny marshmallows- A fun Easter topper.
- Robin’s Egg chocolate candies- Adds a fun, colorful touch, while also being it’s own special treat.
Variations
- Use Pastel Colors: Use yellow, pink, or blue frosting for a colorful Easter theme.
- Coconut Grass: Add shredded coconut mixed with a drop of green coloring, for a textured grass look.
- Change Flavors: Swap chocolate cupcakes for vanilla cupcakes if preferred. If you are short on time, you can also use a box cake mix too.
How to Make Peeps Cupcakes
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line a standard muffin tin with cupcake liners.
STEP 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
STEP 3: Then using a mixer, add in the eggs, vanilla, milk, and oil. Mix on low until combined, then increase to medium speed for about one minute, scraping down the sides as needed, until a chocolate batter forms.
STEP 4: Use an ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measuring cup to divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 14 minutes, or until the center is set. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.
How to Make the Frosting
STEP 5: In a large bowl, use a mixer on low to medium speed to combine the softened butter, vanilla, and half of the powdered sugar. Add the remaining powdered sugar and milk. Continuing mixing on low, scraping down the sides as needed.
STEP 6: Increase the speed to medium and whip for one minute, or until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
STEP 7: Add green food coloring, starting with a few drops and mixing until the desired color is reached. Then transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
How to Decorate Peeps Cupcakes
STEP 8: Pipe small stars over the top of each cooled cupcake to create a grassy effect. Immediately place a Peeps bunny marshmallow in the center and add Robin’s Egg chocolate candies for decoration.
Tips for Making the Best Easter Peeps Cupcakes
- Cool before frosting: Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting, otherwise the frosting will melt and won’t hold it’s shape.
- Adjust frosting consistency: add more milk for a thinner texture or more powdered sugar for a thicker texture.
- Decorate right away: Top the cupcakes quickly so the Peeps and candy stick to the frosting.
FAQ’S
Yes! Store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
If you want to make these cupcakes ahead of time, just freeze them. But keep them unfrosted, and store them in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat them, thaw at room temperature, then frost them.
I used a star tip and pipe small dollops all over the cupcake, pulling up slightly to create a textured, grassy effect. Of course, you can also just spread the frosting smoothly on top, or sprinkle chopped candies or coconut. Or, for a dirt effect, you can sprinkle crushed chocolate cookies on top before you place the bunnies on the cupcakes.
More Holiday Recipes
Desserts
Homemade Thin Mint Cookies
Appetizers
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Desserts
Peanut Butter Balls
Appetizers
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Peeps Cupcakes
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Cupcake Pan
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
For the Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoon milk
For Decorating: green food coloring, Peeps bunny marshmallows, Robin's egg chocolate candies
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line a standard muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Then using a mixer, add in the eggs, vanilla, milk, and oil. Mix on low until combined, then increase to medium speed for about one minute, scraping down the sides as needed, until a chocolate batter forms.
- Use an ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measuring cup to divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 14 minutes, or until the center is set. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.
Frosting
- In a large bowl, use a mixer on low to medium speed to combine the softened butter, vanilla, and half of the powdered sugar. Once that's combined, add in the remaining powdered sugar and milk.
- Continuing mixing on low, scraping down the sides as needed. Increase the speed to medium and whip for one minute, or until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Add green food coloring, starting with a few drops and mixing until the desired color is reached. Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Decorate
- Pipe small stars over the top of each cooled cupcake to create a grassy effect. Immediately place a Peeps bunny marshmallow in the center and add Robin’s Egg chocolate candies for decoration.
Notes
- Cool before frosting: Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Adjust frosting consistency: add more milk for a thinner texture or more powdered sugar for a thicker texture.
- Decorate right away: Top the cupcakes quickly so the Peeps and candy stick to the frosting.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My mom made these and I loved them, and my kids got a kick out of them.
These are awesome and my grandkids are loving them
These are the cutest! I love Peeps so they are super fun on top of chocolate cupcakes!