Easter nest cupcakes

These cute Easter nest cupcakes are made with a simple sponge, topped with a chocolate cornflake nest and mini eggs.

The sponge is soft and airy, while the topping is chewy, chocolatey, crunchy and delicious. The combination makes for the perfect Easter dessert, treat or party centrepiece.

It's such a lovely, simple recipe it would be perfect to make with the kids this Easter weekend. They'd also make a lovely gift too for friends and family this Easter.

To make them, you'll start with the sponge, which uses the all-in-one method.

This means the baking margarine, caster sugar, eggs, flour and baking powder all go into the bowl together and are whisked to give a smooth batter. So simple!

You'll then spoon the batter into cupcake cases and bake for 20 minutes. Your kitchen will smell amazing.

Once the cupcakes are cooled, you'll make the cornflake topping by melting baking margarine and syrup together and then stir together with drinking chocolate powder and cornflakes.

To finish, you'll pile the cornflake mixture on top of each cupcake and top with a few mini eggs to complete the Easter nest effect.

Miss J and I had great fun making these Easter nest cupcakes together while JD was at school.

She stood on her kitchen step and helped measure out the ingredients, stir and mix, but her favourite part was the decorating.

With fingers covered in cornflakes and chocolate, we topped all 12 cupcakes and managed to find enough chocolate eggs for the nests, even with us sneaking a good few into our mouths as we went along. 

It really is such a fun recipe to make - I can't wait to see how you get on when you try it for youself.

Here's how to make these Easter nest cupcakes. With thanks to Stork for the recipe.

Instructions

To make the sponges

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F (170C/340F fan).

Place all cake ingredients (baking margarine, caster sugar, eggs, flour and baking powder) into a mixing bowl.

Beat until well mixed.

Spoon the mixture into a 12-hole muffin tray lined with muffin paper cases.

Bake for 15 -20 minutes. Leave to cool on a wire cooling rack.

To make the chocolate nests

Put the baking margarine and syrup in a large bowl.

Melt in the microwave - it should only take about 15-30 seconds.

Add the chocolate and cornflakes.

Mix well.

Place a tablespoon of mix on top of each cupcake in a nest effect.

Top with three mini eggs per cake and leave to set.

Aren't they cute?

Enjoy and Happy Easter!

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Pointers, tricks, and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Easter nest cupcakes

Are Easter nest cupcakes easy to make?

These Easter nest cupcakes are super easy to make. The base is a simple cupcake batter, which cooks in just 15-20 minutes.

Once your cupcakes are cooked and cooled, you can mix the other ingredients to create the Easter nest topping. Then plop a spoonful on top of each cupcake to complete the recipe!

Will I need any special equipment to make Easter nest cupcakes?

Most of the equipment needed to make these Easter nest cupcakes are things you probably already use every day, like bowls, spoons, chopping boards, etc.

The only equipment you might not already have is the 12 hole non-stick muffin tray and muffin cases. Luckily, these are pretty standard pieces of kitchen equipment, so if you can't find them in the kitchenware aisle of your local supermarket, you'll be able to buy them from Amazon.

There's always a complete list of suggested equipment on the recipe card below my recipes if you're in doubt. In addition, I always include links to example products to show precisely what I used to make each recipe.

How can I tell if eggs have gone off?

You should never eat an egg that looks, smells, feels or tastes odd. So if your egg has any discolouration, odd appearance, or a strange or foul odour, it is most likely rotten. If your egg has any cracks it should also be discarded.

If you aren't sure if your eggs are fresh, you can do a float test to check them. A float test involves placing your egg in a cup or bowl of water to see if it sinks or floats. If it floats, there's excess gas inside, and it has most likely spoiled.

However, spoiled eggs can also sink. So to ensure you don't contaminate a recipe with a bad egg, it's always best to crack your eggs into a separate bowl or cup before adding them to a recipe. This lets you check the egg for any broken shell fragments, but more importantly, it enables you to check that the egg is safe to use.

If your egg has spoiled, you should immediately throw it away and thoroughly wash any pots and utensils that it has come into contact with.

Egg safety is crucial if you're cooking for someone in a vulnerable or at-risk group, such as older people, people living with health conditions, or a pregnant person.

A Mummy Too does not give medical advice. Please consult with your medical professional.

Are Easter nest cupcakes suitable for vegetarians?

At the time of writing (March, 2022), all of the ingredients in this recipe are suitable for vegetarians, enjoy!

Animal-derived products can be used to thicken, colour, or flavour sweet and savoury food, so it sneaks into the most surprising ingredients! So, don't forget to check anything extra that you intend to serve with your recipe.

Are Easter nest cupcakes suitable for vegans?

This recipe isn’t vegan, as it contains eggs and dairy. However, you could adapt the recipe with some vegan substitutions. 

Margarine: 

In the UK, many household name brands of margarine are accidentally vegan, or offer vegan versions of their margarine. So just check the labels when you’re shopping. Flora, Stork and Vitalite are widely available and are either entirely vegan or they make a vegan version.

Mini Eggs

In the UK, a brand called Doisy and Dam makes vegan versions of much-loved chocolate classics. And luckily for vegans, they also have Mini Eggs in their range! 

It's important to note that some vegan chocolates, including Doisy and Dam, often contain darker chocolate than Cadbury's Mini Eggs, so bear that in mind if you use them. From January to Easter, you can usually find vegan chocolate eggs in bigger supermarkets or health food stores like Holland and Barrett.

Egg:

To replace the egg, you'd need to use a vegan replacement. You can buy pre-prepared vegan egg replacements in most supermarkets on the baking aisle. But you can also use any of the below methods. 

Each of the following replaces 1 egg, so for this recipe you would need to make and add each egg alternative twice:

• 3 tablespoons of aquafaba. Aquafaba is the water you get in a tin of chickpeas. The proteins in the liquid mimic egg whites' behaviour, making an excellent egg replacer. But don't worry, it won't taste of chickpeas!
• 1 tablespoon of crushed chia seeds or flax seeds mixed with 2 tablespoons of water and left for 10 minutes in the fridge.
• 3 tablespoons of applesauce (bear in mind this will add sweetness)

Are Easter nest cupcakes gluten-free?

Sorry, these Easter nest cupcakes aren’t gluten free, as they contain gluten in the flour and the cornflakes contain gluten.

I haven’t tested this recipe with a gluten-free flour yet but you could give it a try if you’re making these for someone who can’t digest gluten.

I always recommend using a good quality gluten-free flour, usually made from a blend of different flours such as rice flour, and oat flour, raising agents and a binding agent like xanthan gum. The Free From Fairy makes a brilliant blend which I often use in my gluten-free bakes.

You can buy gluten-free cornflakes in most supermarkets, on the ‘Free From’ aisle. Or if you can’t find any in store, you can buy them from Amazon or other online grocery stores.

At the time of writing (March 2022), UK Cadbury Mini Eggs are gluten-free. However, if you use an alternative you should check the labels to ensure that they are gluten-free.

Are Easter nest cupcakes keto-friendly?

Sorry, these Easter nest cupcakes contain sugar and a lot of carbohydrates, so just one would probably take you well over the daily carbohydrate allowance for a ketogenic diet.

Are Easter nest cupcakes healthy?

These Easter nest cakes are quite high in sugar and fat, so they’re best enjoyed as a special Easter treat.

Are Easter nest cupcakes safe to eat while pregnant?

This recipe is completely safe for a pregnant person and would make a lovely Easter treat! 

The only ingredient in this recipe that could be a risk to a pregnant person is the eggs. However, your eggs should be fully cooked by the time your cupcakes are cooked. 

When cooking for someone in a vulnerable group (pregnant, younger, older or living with a health condition) it's especially important that all of your ingredients are in good condition and that this meal is prepared safely and hygienically.

A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.

Does it matter if I use baking margarine or butter in the sponges?

I used margarine in this cupcake batter because it’s easier to cream into a smooth and light mixture with the sugar and eggs. 

You can use butter if you prefer, but the water and fat content is slightly different than margarine, so your Easter nest cupcakes may have a slightly different texture.

How should I store Easter nest cupcakes?

The best way to store your Easter nest cupcakes is to pop them into an airtight container and keep them in the cupboard. 

If you’re storing them in layers, it’s best to put a sheet of baking paper in between each layer. This will stop them from sticking together and protect them from damage.

How long will Easter nest cupcakes keep?

Homemade cupcakes are always more delicious than shop bought ones, but the downside is that they turn stale more quickly. This is because they have no artificial preservatives and less sugar. 

So your cupcakes will be at their best on the day you bake them, and they will be edible for 3 days after. Keeping them any longer than that will mean you’re eating something closer to a dish sponge than a cupcake!

Can I leave Easter nest cupcakes out on the counter?

No, your Easter nest cupcakes will quickly turn stale and attract bugs if you leave them out for too long. So it's best to store them in a sealed container when you aren't serving them.

Can I make Easter nest cupcakes ahead?

It's better to enjoy these Easter nest cupcakes the day you make them, as the cupcakes will turn stale within a couple of days. The nest topping will also become soggy after a few days too.

Can I keep Easter nest cupcakes in the refrigerator?

There's no need to refrigerate your Easter nest cupcakes, as they don't have any buttercream frosting or ingredients that need to be refrigerated. 

So a cool dark place like a cupboard or pantry will work fine for storage.

Can I freeze Easter nest cupcakes?

Sure! Just pop your cupcakes into a lunchbox or sealed container between layers of baking paper so they don't stick together.

It's better to freeze your cupcakes undecorated, as the nest topping will most likely break off if you freeze it whole.

Your Easter nest cupcakes should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

What is the best way to defrost Easter nest cupcakes?

To defrost your Easter nest cupcakes, just pop them into the fridge for 2 hours in a sealed container. Remember to let them come down to room temperature before serving.

Can I make these Easter nest cupcakes in a different quantity?

If you want to make more or less of this recipe, go right ahead. You can use an online recipe calculator or calculate the change in size by yourself. The cupcakes cook individually, so cooking time and temperature shouldn't be affected.

Can I make these Easter nest cupcakes as one big cake?

I love these Easter nest cupcakes, but in theory, one big cake should work. 

Try greasing and line two 20cm (8inch) cake tins and divide the batter equally between them. 

Large cakes will take a bit longer to bake. So, check them after 30-35 minutes with a skewer test and return to the oven if the skewer doesn't come out clean.

Allow the cakes to cool, and then you can sandwich them with some buttercream and use the mixture to top them off.

Can I make Easter nest cupcakes in a stand mixer like a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?

I prefer to mix recipes by hand to avoid over mixing cake batter. However, you can use a stand mixer if you need some support or a sous chef.

 You can cream together the sugar and butter with the balloon whisk or paddle attachment. Start slowly, or the ingredients will splat everywhere. Then gradually build up to a higher speed until the mix looks light and fluffy.

When you add the flour, go more slowly to fold it gently. Make sure not to mix the flour for too long, or you’ll knock the air out of the mix. Over mixing also causes the gluten in the wheat to activate, and your cupcakes will turn out tough. Remember to scrape down the sides as you go to make sure everything is well combined. 

Can I make Easter nest cupcakes with a food processor?

A food processor would be too powerful for this Easter nest cupcakes recipe. It would also be difficult to get your cake batter out of the food processor, and you'd probably waste a lot of it!

How can I make sure my Easter nest cupcakes turn out perfectly?

• Use fresh ingredients: Make sure that your flour and baking powder are fresh and have been stored correctly. When you leave raising agents open, they can go bad and stop working. So to avoid flat bakes, use fresh flour!
• Weigh out ingredients: I always recommend weighing out your ingredients before you begin cooking. This helps avoid any mishaps with wrong measurements or forgotten ingredients.
• Don't overmix: If you over mix your batter the air generated by the raising agents can get knocked out of the mix. Equally, overmixing can activate the gluten in the flour. When gluten activates it causes bakes to have a bread-like texture, due to the bonds between the gluten molecules. This is what you want from a bread dough, but not for a light fluffy cupcake! This will cause your cupcakes to turn out flat, dense and tough.
• Preheat your oven: Putting cupcakes into an oven which is too cold will cause the raising agents to fail. This will leave you with flat, dense or even uncooked cupcakes. Or the outside will burn before the inside has a chance to cook, due to the lack of air bubbles formed in the batter.
• To make sure your Easter nest cupcakes are cooked perfectly, you can perform a skewer test to check they are cooked through. This involves poking a knife or poker into the centre of a cupcake. If any batter comes out with the skewer, it’s uncooked in the centre and will need another 5 minutes in the oven, or however long it takes until it is cooked.
• Combining the nest mix: Make sure you mix the cornflakes and the other ingredients well so the nest doesn't have any areas without the wet ingredients. The cornflakes should be well coated, so the flakes stick together correctly.

Why did my Easter nest cupcakes turn out dry/dense?

This recipe is well balanced and should create fluffy but moist cupcakes if the ingredients are added in the correct quantities and in the right order.

You should make sure that you add your ingredients to the batter in the right order because if you add the raising agent too soon you could knock the air out of the mix. This will result in dense, flat cupcakes.

Equally, your Easter nest cupcakes may become dense and dry if the cakes are in the oven too long. So it's always a good idea to set a timer for 5 minutes before the end of cooking time so you can check the cakes when they are done. 

Finally, the cakes will also turn stale and dry if you don't store them correctly. So make sure to store them in an airtight container to help keep them fresher and moist for longer. 

Why didn't my Easter nest cupcakes rise?

The raising agents in self-raising flour or baking powder cause chemical reactions when they meet water. This reaction creates tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide, which expand, and as the cake cooks. The air in these bubbles heats in the oven, causing the mixture to bake around the bubbles forming a sponge texture.

A few things can affect how well cakes rise, but it's often to do with the air bubbles not forming, or popping and collapsing the cake.

Old raising agents: The raising agents in the self-raising flour and baking powder will become inactive if stored open in a cupboard. So make sure you use fresh, in date and correctly stored flour and baking powder. 

Over mixing the batter: Overmixing can be another cause of cakes not rising correctly. As soon as the wet and dry ingredients are mixed, those reactions that make the cake rise will start. However, mixing the batter too much will knock out all the bubbles that make the cakes rise.

Leaving the mix to sit: It's also good to get the muffin tray lined and ready to go. You want to get the cakes into the oven as quickly as possible, so the batter isn't sitting out on the side for ages before it goes into the oven. 

Oven temperature: You should always make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature before you put your recipe into it. If the oven isn’t hot enough, the raising agent won’t activate and the cakes won't bake. If the oven is too hot, any air bubbles in your cupcakes will collapse because the batter hasn't had time to set and hold its shape. 

Oven door: Finally, you should make sure that you keep the oven door closed for 15 minutes minimum. If you open the door too early, the temperature in the oven will drop, and it might make the bubbles in the cupcakes deflate.

How can I add/change the flavours in these Easter nest cupcakes?

If you want to change the flavours in your Easter nest cupcakes, you could add 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the cupcake batter to turn them into chocolate cupcakes. Or, you could add a handful of chocolate chips.

Food essences are also a great way to add flavour to cupcakes. Orange or mint would work wonderfully with the chocolate topping.

Why do we eat chocolate eggs during Easter?

Centuries ago, eating eggs in the period before Easter was outlawed by Christian church leaders. This is because Christians used to practise a form of veganism during Lent! 

So Christians would keep their chickens' eggs and decorate them to make 'Holy Week eggs'.  People would give the decorated eggs to each other as Easter gifts, which eventually started the tradition of gifting eggs. 

Over the centuries, this tradition evolved into chocolate eggs, first inspired by chocolate window decorations made in Germany. Interestingly, many of our modern chocolate-based traditions festive, originated in Germany during the 19th Century.

Print this Easter nest cupcake recipe

Here's the recipe for those Easter nest cupcakes again in a printable format.

This is a commissioned post for Stork

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