Name: Bird's Nest Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 12 Tablespoons butter; 1 c. sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 eggs; 2 c. flour; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 3 c. carrots (grated); 1 c. raisins; ½ c. walnuts or pecans; 1 c. 2 sticks butter, softened; 3 1/2 c. powdered sugar; 1-2 Tablespoons milk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 large milk chocolate candy bar; 1 c. candy coated chocolate eggs

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Sweet carrot cupcakes are made with raisins and nuts then topped off with vanilla buttercream frosting, chocolate shavings, and candy coated chocolate eggs.

Years ago I made these tasty Carrot Cake Cupcakes, topped them with a delightful buttercream frosting, and then decorated them to look like bird’s nests on top. I was so proud of these cupcakes and was thrilled when a fellow blogger asked me to guest post them on her site.

Now years later they are no longer on her site but I still love making these in the spring or for Easter. Since the recipe is no longer on her site I wanted to make sure to share it with you.

The cake is a loaded carrot cake with raisins and walnuts in it. I know some people like a basic cake but I like my carrot cake loaded up, especially when it’s getting a heavy frosting on it.

Ingredients:

butter
sugar
vanilla
eggs
flour
baking soda
cinnamon
salt
carrots
raisins
walnuts
powdered sugar
milk
chocolate bar
candy coated chocolate eggs

To Make the Cupcakes: In a large bowl combine the butter and sugar. Add in the vanilla and eggs. In another bowl combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until just combined. Add the carrots, raisins, and walnuts and mix until combined.

To Bake the Cupcakes: Fill each muffin tin with batter ¾ of the way full. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely.

To Make the Frosting: In a large bowl mix the butter with a mixer. Add in the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla and mix for 2 minutes or until fluffy.

Decorating the Cupcakes: Frost each of the cupcakes. Shave the chocolate into stick shaped and place on top of cupcakes as a nest. Place 2-3 candy coated eggs on top of each one.

So the first thing I did was make my carrot cake cupcakes. I put them in pretty paper liners that would go with my Bird’s Nest theme but you can use whatever papers you’d like.

After they come out of the oven I whip up my buttercream frosting. I make a vanilla flavored buttercream frosting but you could also make a chocolate version which would make the entire top of the cupcakes look like the Bird’s Nest.

Do I have to Make Carrot Cake Cupcakes for this recipe?

No you don’t have too. I chose carrot cake because I feel like it’s really spring inspired but if you wanted to make another flavor of cake that would be fine. Just decorate the top of the cupcakes the same.

Can I make Chocolate Frosting?

Yes! Making chocolate buttercream frosting is easy. Simply substitute 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar for 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. I prefer to use Dutch processed cocoa powder but you can use your favorite type.

Can I make gluten free cupcakes?

Sure! You can totally turn this into a gluten free cupcake recipe. I would just use a 1:1 gluten free baking flour in place of the all purpose flour and they should come out well. If you have your own gluten free flour baking ratio you can go with that as well.

How do I pipe on the frosting?

The best way to pipe on frosting is to use a piping bag and a decorators tip. This will give you the best looking cupcakes. You can also buy disposable tips and bags if you don’t want to invest in a set. Since you are decorating the top of these cupcakes you can actually just use a spoon to spread the frosting on or put the frosting in a zip top bag, snip off the corner, and pipe it on that way.

You can either pipe on the frosting or you can just use a spoon and put it on. Because you will be putting a chocolate nest and eggs on top the frosting doesn’t need to be perfect.

Shaving the chocolate for the nest can be tricky. I prefer to use a vegetable peeler but you can also use a cheese grater or a paring knife to make thin sticks. Pile them on top of the cupcake in a circle with a hole in the middle.

Finally I put the candy coated eggs in the nest. I usually like to put in three of them and I make them three different colors but make them however you’d like.

The flavor of these cupcakes is amazing. They are perfectly spiced, have a bit of crunch from the nuts, and the sweet icing is delicious on top. The chocolate eggs and chocolate nest add a richness to the entire cupcake.

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