Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Line a 12-hole cupcake tin with paper cases.
- To make the cupcakes, beat the butter, sugar and lemon zest together using a stand mixer or electric whisk for 3–5 minutes until very pale and fluffy. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl every so often.
- Add the eggs in one at a time, beating the mixture well after each one.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Pour this into the butter mixture and mix on a low speed until smooth before stirring in the milk.
- Scoop the mixture evenly into the cupcake cases, no need to level the surfaces, and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and well risen. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely.
- To make the buttercream, beat the butter and lemon zest in a stand mixer or with an electric whisk for 3–4 minutes until the butter is very pale and creamy.
- Sift in the icing sugar and beat on medium–high speed for 5 minutes until the buttercream is thick and fluffy. Pour in the lemon juice and beat for another few seconds to combine.
- To assemble, pour the desiccated coconut into a shallow bowl. Spoon or pipe some buttercream onto each cupcake. Dip the cupcakes buttercream-side down into the coconut, making sure it is fully covered.
- To make the bunny ears, use a pair of scissors to cut the marshmallows in half diagonally. Dip the sides of the marshmallows that have been cut into the desiccated coconut and place them on the cupcakes side-by-side so they look like bunny ears. Use the black sugar pearls and jelly beans to form the eyes and noses (if using).
Notes
These Easter bunny cupcakes still look super cute with just the marshmallow ears if you want to keep things simple. Or cut the marshmallows across the middle to make bunny tails.
If you’re not keen on desiccated coconut, you could use finely grated white chocolate or white sprinkles instead.
You can freeze the undecorated cupcakes, well-wrapped, for up to 3 months.
