Easter Candy Cupcakes ~ A fun Easter dessert that you can pull together in minutes! All you need to make is the buttercream frosting, then grab some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (I used the white chocolate ones), pipe on some frosting, rim it with sprinkles and top it with a Marshmallow Peeps. Voila!

Are these fun or what? Yes, a little over-the-top, but sometimes you just have to go for it. In my case, it’s that and I need to crank out a fun dessert for the Easter Bunny.

My little guy asked me to make him and the Easter Bunny macarons, but I just didn’t have time for those. This seemed like a good compromise. Or at least I thought so.

Matt thought these were too crazy, but thankfully the kids only issue was melted chocolate on their fingers. I mean, I don’t even get that. It’s like I have the weirdest kids. Not because they hate having dirty or sticky fingers (I am the same), but hello—there shouldn’t have been enough time for the cups to melt. This is not dainty food. This is meant to be inhaled.

Am I right?

And for the record, for all those who have been long time readers and know that my 12 year old is a sprinkle-hater, I rimmed his with toasted coconut. A very legit choice, and I hate to say it, but even more legit than the sprinkles. Admittedly, the sprinkles happened because I burnt the batch of coconut that was suppose to be used for these photos.

Whatever you choose – sprinkles or coconut, just do it! And small note: I trimmed the front of the Peeps (then dipped it in sprinkles) with scissors because it hung over the peanut butter cup too much.

Easter Candy Cupcakes

Yield: 2 dozen

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla powder
pinch salt
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
24 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (white or milk chocolate)
24 Marshmallow Peeps
1 cup sprinkles or toasted coconut

Instructions

To make the frosting: Place the butter, vanilla powder, salt and half the sugar in a stand mixer bowl and beat on low until combined, about 1-2 minutes. Add remaining sugar and beat on low until just combined, about 1-2 minutes. Increase speed, and beat for another 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

To assemble: Pipe frosting on top of peanut butter cup. Rim with sprinkles. Smear a little frosting on the bottom of the Peep and place on top.