Easter Nest Cupcakes

So after looking at just how far I had to go back and update this blog I figured instead of starting with the cupcakes that I had made in the fall and the recipes that I would start at the most recent and work backwards.

With that said, I am going to blog every single day until I get caught up!

So if you check back try to hold me to that!

At any rate, let me start off with the Easter Nest Cupcakes.

I found a recipe in an old Pillsbury Recipe booklet (the ones in the checkout line at your neighborhood grocery store).

The recipe was basically starting out with a box of chocolate cake mix and some chocolate frosting. Sprinkling them with chocolate sprinkles (jimmies) to build the nest and placing 3 egg candies for decoration. Viola! You have your Easter Egg Nest Cupcakes.

I had some frozen cupcakes in the freezer that I defrosted (for lack of extra time), and some Vanilla Buttercream that I used instead.

The recipes for those that I used initially were from the "Cupcakes From The Cake Mix Doctor" book.

They were for the White On White Cupcakes which I have since renamed to White Chocolate Cupcakes and the Basic Vanilla Buttercream. Before I begin with the recipes let me give you my observations.

You think White on White Cupcakes should give you a White Cupcake...WRONG! That was what I was expecting until I noticed that you need a whole egg. That immediately turns the batter a light yellow. When they bake they are indeed yellow. Next time, I think I will stick to just the egg whites to get a true white cupcake. The cupcakes themselves were fine, the white chocolate flavor didn't stand out. Which I took to be a good thing and a bad thing. I myself, don't like White Chocolate but I wish the flavor stood out a little more. This will definetly be a recipe I play with when I have some more time.

From personal expierence they freeze very well. The batch I used for the Easter Nests were from an order I put together at the end of February. I think they are actually better and have more of a moistness when frozen and thawed.

As far as making the nests go, I followed the pictures of the Pillsbury nests and didn't like the way they looked. After a little inspection of my pantry I found some coconut which I toasted. After applying the Buttercream and dousing them with a good helping of coconut I placed 3 Cadbury Mini Eggs on top for the egg in the nest look.

Very pleased with the end result!

Enjoy!

The recipes are as follows:

White on White Cupcakes:

1 cup White Chocolate Chips

1 Package Plain White Cake Mix

1 Cup Whole Milk

1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil

1 Large Egg

3 Large Egg Whites

1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Place the white chocolate chips in a medium sized glass mixing bowl in the microwave on high power for 50 seconds to 1 minute. Remove the bowl from the oven and stir with a small rubber spatula until it is smooth. Set aside to cool slightly.

Place the cake mix, milk, oil, eggs, egg whites, vanilla and melted white chocolate in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping down the sides again if needed. Spoon or scoop 1/4 cup batter into each lined cupcake cup, filling it two thirds of the way full.

Place them in a preheated 350 degree oven for between 17 to 20 minutes. (They should be golden and spring back lightly when touched).

Vanilla Buttercream

8 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature

3 Cups Confectioners' Sugar, sifted

3 to 4 Tablespoons of Milk

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until fluffly, 30 seconds. Stop and add the confectioners' sugar, 3 tablespoons of the milk and the vanilla. Blend with the mixer on low speed until all ingredients are incorporated, 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, 1 minute more. Add up to 1 tablespoon of milk extra if the frosting seems stiff.