Chocolate Peeps Cupcakes with Buttercream Recipe

Introduction

These Chocolate Peeps Cupcakes with Buttercream are a delightful treat perfect for Easter or any spring celebration. Moist chocolate cupcakes are topped with creamy, green-tinted buttercream and a fun Peeps marshmallow center, creating a festive and delicious dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup oil
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 1 tsp salt (for frosting)
• 3 tbsp milk
• Green food coloring
• Easter sprinkles
• Peeps marshmallows

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line standard muffin tins with cupcake liners. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a stand mixer bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined.
3. Step 3: Add vanilla extract, eggs, milk, and oil. Mix on low speed until the batter comes together, scraping down the bowl sides as needed.
4. Step 4: Evenly divide the batter between the cupcake liners using a measuring cup or scoop.
5. Step 5: Bake for 14–16 minutes or until the centers are set. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.
6. Step 6: For the frosting, place softened butter and half of the powdered sugar in the stand mixer bowl.
7. Step 7: Mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
8. Step 8: Add the remaining powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla. Mix again on low until smooth.
9. Step 9: Pour in the milk and mix until the frosting is creamy, scraping down the sides as necessary.
10. Step 10: Add green food coloring gradually, mixing between additions until you reach your desired shade.
11. Step 11: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
12. Step 12: Once cupcakes are fully cooled, pipe a generous swirl of frosting onto each one.
13. Step 13: Finish by adding sprinkles and gently pressing a Peeps marshmallow into the center of each cupcake.

Tips & Variations

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter and frosting.
• Try different food coloring shades or omit it for classic white buttercream.
• Substitute vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a slight coconut flavor.
• For extra moisture, brush cupcakes with a simple syrup before frosting.
• Decorate with other themed sprinkles to match any holiday or event.

Storage

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 5 days, but bring to room temperature before serving. Refrigerated cupcakes may need gentle reheating in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften the frosting slightly.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking in a 1:1 ratio. Be sure to check that other ingredients like baking powder are gluten-free as well.

Can I use a different frosting instead of buttercream?

Absolutely! Cream cheese frosting or whipped cream topping would also pair nicely with the chocolate cupcakes and Peeps marshmallows.

Chocolate Peeps Cupcakes with Buttercream Recipe

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Delight in these festive Chocolate Peeps Cupcakes topped with creamy green buttercream frosting and adorable Peeps marshmallow decorations. Perfect for Easter celebrations, this recipe combines rich chocolate cupcakes with a smooth, sweet buttercream and colorful sprinkles for a fun and delicious treat.

• Author: Jeannette
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cupcakes

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup oil (vegetable or canola)

Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp milk
• Green food coloring

Decoration

• Easter sprinkles
• Peeps marshmallows

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line standard muffin tins with cupcake liners. Set aside while you prepare the batter.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
3. Add wet ingredients: Add the vanilla extract, eggs, milk, and oil to the dry mixture. Mix on low speed until the batter forms and is smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed for thorough mixing.
4. Fill cupcake liners: Using a measuring cup or scoop, evenly divide the batter among the lined cupcake tins.
5. Bake the cupcakes: Bake for 14–16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the centers are set. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
6. Start the frosting: In a clean mixer bowl, combine the softened butter with about half of the powdered sugar. Mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides as necessary.
7. Add remaining frosting ingredients: Add the rest of the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Continue mixing on low until smooth and fully incorporated.
8. Adjust the frosting consistency: Pour in the milk and mix again until the buttercream is creamy and smooth, scraping the bowl’s sides as needed.
9. Color the frosting: Add green food coloring gradually, mixing between additions, until you achieve your desired shade of green.
10. Prepare to decorate: Transfer the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip for easy and decorative application.
11. Pipe frosting on cupcakes: When the cupcakes are completely cooled, pipe a generous swirl of the green buttercream onto each cupcake.
12. Add final decorations: Sprinkle Easter-themed sprinkles over the frosting and gently press a Peeps marshmallow into the center of each cupcake for a festive finish.

Notes

• You can substitute vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or light olive oil for a different flavor.
• Make sure cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting the buttercream.
• Use gel food coloring for more vibrant green without thinning the frosting.
• Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Bring refrigerated cupcakes to room temperature before serving for best texture and flavor.

Keywords: Chocolate cupcakes, Peeps cupcakes, Easter cupcakes, Buttercream frosting, Festive cupcakes, Holiday dessert