Colorful Vanilla Easter Cupcakes
These Easter cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate the season! Soft, fluffy, and topped with swirls of colorful buttercream, they’re a delightful addition to your Easter brunch ideas. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or baking just for fun, these spring cupcakes are as cute as they are delicious.
Made with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, vanilla, and a touch of milk, these Easter recipes come together effortlessly. The cupcakes bake up light and golden, while the buttercream icing, colored in soft pastel shades, adds a fun and festive touch. Don’t forget the sprinkles for that extra dose of sweetness!
Looking for Easter sweets ideas or cute Easter desserts? These cupcakes are the perfect bite-sized treat for any springtime celebration. Grab your mixing bowl, some food coloring, and let’s make these spring cupcake ideas come to life!
Reasons why you’ll love this recipe♡
- Perfect for Easter & Spring – With pastel-colored icing and festive sprinkles, these cupcakes are a fun and adorable addition to any Easter brunch or spring celebration.
- Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing – Whether you’re baking with kids or serving them at a party, these cute Easter desserts are guaranteed to be a hit with all ages!
- Customizable & Fun to Decorate – You can mix and match icing colors, use different sprinkles, or add cute toppings like candy eggs or bunny ears for a creative twist!
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Servings: 6
For the cupcakes
For the icing
Equipment
Muffin tin
Step by Step Guide
Cupcakes
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/ 180°C and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then slowly blend in the flour and baking powder. Lastly, stir in the milk.
3. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup halfway. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
WANT TO SAVE THIS FOR LATER?
Icing
4. For the icing, beat the softened butter until creamy and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, and if necessary, mix in a splash of milk to reach the desired consistency.
5. Divide the icing into three bowls and add a drop of food coloring to each. Transfer each colored icing into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle.
6. Once the cupcakes have cooled, pipe the colored icing onto each cupcake in a swirling pattern. Top them off with your favorite sprinkles.
Recipe FAQ
Q: Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can bake the cupcakes a day in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Frost them just before serving for the freshest taste.
Q: How do I store leftover cupcakes?
A: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Q: Can I freeze these cupcakes?
A: Yes! Freeze the unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature and frost before serving.
Q: Can I use a different type of flour?
A: This recipe works best with all-purpose flour, but you can try cake flour for an even lighter texture. Avoid using whole wheat flour, as it may make the cupcakes dense.
Q: What can I use instead of food coloring?
A: f you prefer natural colors, try using beet juice (pink), turmeric (yellow), or matcha powder (green) for a fun and natural pastel look.
Q: Can I make these cupcakes without eggs?
A: Yes! You can substitute the egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or ½ a mashed banana for a similar texture.
Q: What if I don’t have a piping bag?
A: No problem! You can use a ziplock bag with a small corner cut off or simply spread the frosting with a butter knife for a rustic look.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Absolutely! Just double all the ingredients and bake in two batches if needed.
Q: Why are my cupcakes dry?
A: Dry cupcakes could be due to overbaking or adding too much flour. Make sure to measure the flour correctly and bake just until a toothpick comes out clean.
Q: How do I get my frosting smooth and fluffy?
A: Beat the butter until creamy before adding powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time until you get the right consistency.
Q: What toppings can I add to make them more festive?
A: Try mini chocolate eggs, shredded coconut (for a nest effect), bunny-shaped toppers, or edible flowers for an extra cute touch!
Q: Can I use a different type of sugar?
A: Yes! You can use brown sugar for a slightly deeper flavor, but keep in mind that it may slightly change the texture.
Q: How can I make these cupcakes healthier?
A: Swap out the butter for Greek yogurt, use a sugar substitute, or reduce the sugar slightly without affecting the texture too much.
Vanilla Cupcakes for Easter
Equipment
- muffin tin
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flower (55g)
- 1/4 cup softened butter (55g)
- 1/4 cup sugar (55g)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp milk
For the icing
- 1/3 cup softened butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup sprinkles
- 1 drop food coloring, gel
- 1 tsp milk (optional)
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/ 180°C and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then slowly blend in the flour and baking powder. Lastly, stir in the milk.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup halfway. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
Icing
- For the icing, beat the softened butter until creamy and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, and if necessary, mix in a splash of milk to reach the desired consistency.
- Divide the icing into three bowls and add a drop of food coloring to each. Transfer each colored icing into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle.
- Once the cupcakes have cooled, pipe the colored icing onto each cupcake in a swirling pattern. Top them off with your favorite sprinkles.