Bird’s Nest Cupcake Recipe for Easter

I can’t wait for holidays. “Why?” you ask. The reason might surprise you. I love creating cute desserts to share with family and friends. They’re always appreciative when the cooking mood strikes. If the cooking mood doesn’t arrive early, I begin to receive hints. “So…been baking anything lately?” If you want to surprise friends and family with some fun Easter goodies, try this Bird’s Nest Cupcake Recipe. I’ve included an easy gluten free option too.
Bird's Nest Cupcakes For Easter

Easter Bird’s Nest Cupcakes Recipe

You can make this recipe two ways. I call it the easy or complicated method. If you prefer, whip up your own cake recipe (this lemon cupcake recipe is perfect for this recipe) and homemade buttercream frosting.  If you’re not feeling the mood for homemade, then go with the semi-homemade version, using a box of vanilla cake mix (or gluten-free cake mix) and a can of prepared frosting.
Bird's nest cupcakes

I always spice up my semi-homemade cupcakes by adding a few extra ingredients. One “secret” ingredient to moist cupcakes is to substitute sour cream and milk for some of the liquid. It doesn’t hurt to place a few add-ins in the cupcakes, like white chocolate chips.  You can make the frosting taste more homemade by adding a little vanilla or almond extract.

Prepare the cupcakes and allow them to cool completely.  Frost the cupcakes with green tinted icing.  Now comes the fun part; making the bird’s nests.  Use green tinted coconut for the nests. This is easy to prepare. Just mix a few drops of green food coloring into a cup of coconut and stir until blended.
Cupcakes Birds Nest Recipe

Sprinkle a small amount of tinted coconut into the center of each cupcake.  To make the birds I used Dubble Bubble Easter Egg Bubble Gum, but you can use other Easter candy, like Whoppers Easter Eggs. (Note: These are not gluten free so if making a gluten free version, use the bubble gum.) With an icing pen or black food gel, make two eyes at the top of the egg.  For each “bird” pinch off a small piece of an orange gumdrop. Share the gumdrop to resemble a beak. Tip: Keep a wet paper towel nearby as your hands will get sticky working with the gumdrops. Attach the beak to the center of the “bird” with a small amount of icing.  Place the bird in the nest, pushing the bird down into the cupcake to make sure it stays in place.

Printable Recipe:

 

 

Bird’s Nest Cupcake Recipe for Easter
Ingredients
  • 1 box (15.25 ounce) vanilla cake mix (or flavor of your choice or gluten free mix), prepared as directed on package
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 container vanilla frosting(16 ounces)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Green food coloring
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 48 Dubble Bubble Easter Egg
  • 4 orange gumdrops
  • 1 black icing pen or black writing gel
Instructions
  1. Prepare cake mix as directed on the package. Stir in vanilla and white chocolate chips. Pour mixture into 24 muffin cups. Bake as directed on the package. Remove cupcakes from oven and allow to cool.
  2. Mix frosting and vanilla extract. Add four to five drops green food coloring and stir until blended. Ice cupcakes.
  3. Place coconut into a small bowl. Add a few drops of green food coloring. Mix until blended.
  4. Place one to two teaspoons of coconut onto the center of each cupcake.
  5. Unwrap bubble gum. Using the black icing pen or black writing gel, make two dots on top of each gumball for eyes. Pinch off a small piece of the orange gumdrop. Shape into a beak. Attach beak below the eyes, using frosting to attach. Place two birds into each nest, pushing them down into the cupcake to hold into place.

Bird's Nest cupcakes recipe

What are some of your favorite Easter dessert recipes?

You Might Like These Posts

Bunny Bottom Oreo Cookies Recipe
Bunny Bottom Cookie Cake Recipe

36 Comments

  1. Pingback: Easter "Egg" Cupcakes Recipe

  2. Pingback: How to Make Easter Bunny Cupcakes - Simply Southern Mom

  3. They are the cutest bird-nest cupcake that I’ve seen till now and they would be perfect for Easter. My cozin is doing a major Easter party and I’ll forward your recipe to her for the occasion.

  4. These are extremely cute! I’m going to pin them to my Easter board – can’t wait to make them. Perfect to bake with my daughter this weekend.

  5. Too cute!! I love these … and I love that you used coconut for the nest .. very clever and this is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike 🙂

  6. These look so delicious and festive! I make something similar but in a cake form. Will have to try these!

  7. Oh wow, those cupcakes are sooo cute, love those cute lil birds on top!! I can bake from scratch, but you ask me about frosting, decorating, i go into a panic mode. Love what you have done here!

  8. I just love how cute the cupcakes look and I am coming back just to see them over and over again. That is such a creative and brilliant idea to make the little birds.

  9. I’m afraid I rarely do “from scratch” cakes … they’re usually too much for me. I know, I know, I’m a wimp baker. But dressing up the box mix with sour cream and chips … now that’s my kind of scratch baking! Kids are going to love this Easter treat!

  10. These are adorable!!! I think my nephew would love making these. Can’t wait to try it out!

  11. SO cute! I am really looking forward to Easter this year. I want to do so much baking with my kids. These look like such fun!

  12. Super cute and I bet it is also delicious. Easter is by far one of my favorite times of the year because love family, brunching and making good memories

  13. Super cute birds! These would definitely be a good addition to the Easter table spread.

  14. these are so fun! My kids would love being in the kitchen making these with me!

  15. I always try to make fun little desserts for my kids and to bring to work for each holiday. These are so stinkin cute, everyone will love these!

  16. How adorable!! I think these would be so great for elderly neighbors as well as kids. They would get such a kick out of it. I’m pinning the idea.

  17. How these are cute Easter cupcakes! I have saw the birds nests with eggs in them, but never actual birds like this!

  18. These are too cute! What a fun idea to make with the kids!

  19. It’s a pretty awesome idea! I love that it’s not so difficult to make. I’m not that awesome at baking and I’d love to think that I can pull this one off. I’m sure the kids will like it as well.

  20. These are so cute for Easter! I especially love the little birds!!

  21. Aww these are so cute!! My kids would love these. love the idea.

  22. What a cute idea! I would love that for an Easter treat for the kids. I love birds

  23. These cupcakes are so cute and creative! I bet they would be a bit hit for Easter or at a party or family gathering.

  24. Oh these birds nest cupcakes are so cute! It is amazing how you were able to make those bubble gum pieces look like hatchlings. Wow. You are so creative!

  25. Love these cupcakes they are so cute!!! My kids will love them.

  26. Oh look at those adorable birds! These cupcakes rock. I can’t wait for more of the spring birds to return to our yard.

  27. These are so cute and perfect for the kids at Easter. Great how you offer to options to prepare these.

  28. I love the faces on those eggs. Your kids will love them and if they taste half as good as they look they are amazing.

  29. my son was playing sitting next to me by chance he saw ur cupcakes and asked if i can do something similar.looks cute i bet it tastes yum

  30. How stinking cute are these??!?!?!! Love the creativity – perfect for Easter!

  31. These are so cute- When I first saw them, they made me chuckle from cuteness. The kids will love these

  32. Aw they’re cute. The beak is everything, lol!! I know my kids would laugh and love them.

  33. How adorable is that! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I have a couple of gluten free friends, and it’s always such a bummer when they can’t enjoy the treats the rest of us are having.

  34. OMG, the candy birds are the best! I must make these for Easter. They are super duper cute.

  35. Those are super cute! I love how they came out and I love that EVERYONE can enjoy them.

  36. robin masshole mommy

    Those are too cute! My kids are going to love these cupcakes!