Pin this Adorable chocolate cupcakes decorated to resemble a bunny burrow, perfect for spring celebrations or Easter gatherings. Moist chocolate cupcakes are topped with luscious chocolate buttercream, cookie crumb soil, and playful fondant bunny feet peeking out of the burrow.
I first served this as a festive treat at our Easter family gathering and it was an instant hit with both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 1 cup (125 g)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: 1/2 cup (50 g)
- Granulated sugar: 3/4 cup (150 g)
- Light brown sugar: 1/2 cup (110 g)
- Baking powder: 1 tsp
- Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: 1/4 tsp
- Large eggs: 2, room temperature
- Vegetable oil: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
- Whole milk: 2/3 cup (160 ml)
- Pure vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup (115 g), softened
- Powdered sugar: 1 3/4 cups (220 g)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: 1/3 cup (35 g)
- Milk: 2 tbsp (30 ml)
- Vanilla extract: 1/2 tsp
- Pinch of salt:
- Chocolate sandwich cookies: 6, crushed
- Mini white marshmallows: 24
- Pink decorating gel or pink fondant:
- White fondant: 1/2 cup (100 g)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, both sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined.
- Bake Cupcakes:
- Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Buttercream:
- Beat butter until creamy. Sift in powdered sugar and cocoa powder beat until smooth. Mix in milk vanilla and salt until fluffy.
- Frost Cupcakes:
- Once cupcakes are cool frost tops with chocolate buttercream creating mounds to resemble earth.
- Decorate Soil:
- Sprinkle crushed chocolate cookies over the buttercream to simulate soil.
- Create Bunny Feet and Tail:
- Shape white fondant into small ovals for bunny feet and a round ball for the tail. Use pink gel or fondant to add paw pads to the feet.
- Assemble Decorations:
- Place two feet and one tail on each cupcake so it looks like a bunny diving into its burrow. Optionally use mini marshmallows for extra tail fluff.
- Arrange Cupcakes:
- Arrange cupcakes on a tray to form a playful bunny burrow scene.
Pin this Our family loves gathering around this tray as the kids enjoy spotting the bunny feet popping out of each cupcake.
Notes
For a richer flavor add chocolate chips to the batter. Use gluten-free flour and cookies for a gluten-free version. Pair with a light fruity Moscato or berry lemonade for kids.
Required Tools
12-cup muffin tin Mixing bowls Electric mixer or whisk Sifter Piping bag or spatula Rolling pin (for fondant) Small offset spatula or butter knife
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (gluten) eggs milk and may contain soy (from cookies). Some decorations may contain artificial colors. Always check labels if allergies are a concern.
Pin this These delightful cupcakes bring both fun and flavor to your festive table every time.
Recipe Questions
- → What gives the cupcakes their moist texture?
The combination of vegetable oil, whole milk, and eggs creates a moist and tender crumb in the chocolate cupcakes.
- → How is the cookie crumb soil made?
Chocolate sandwich cookies are crushed finely to simulate soil and sprinkled atop the buttercream frosting.
- → What ingredients are used in the buttercream frosting?
The chocolate buttercream is made from softened unsalted butter, powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- → How are the fondant bunny feet created?
White fondant is shaped into ovals for feet and a small ball for the tail, with pink gel or fondant used for paw pad detailing.
- → Can these cupcakes be made gluten-free?
Yes, by substituting gluten-free flour and choosing gluten-free cookies for the soil topping.