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    Recipes » Recipes

    Bird's Nest Easter Cupcakes

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Mar 8, 2020 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    Bird's Nest Easter Cupcakes topped with edible grass and candy eggs are super easy to make and perfect for a cute spring or Easter dessert!

    Jump to Recipe -
    easter cupcakes topped with edible grass and chocolate candy eggs in a nest

    If you're looking for an easy, but adorable Easter dessert idea, I've got you covered. These bird nest cupcakes start out with cake mix and are super simple to make!

    This is kind of a cheater recipe because it uses a cake mix and canned frosting. Honestly, if I'm baking cupcakes and topping them with candy and edible Easter grass, I know the kids will focus on the topping more than the cupcake!

    Plus, you're probably making the rest of the meal from scratch, right? So an easy Easter dessert is exactly what you need!

    How to Make Bird's Nest Cupcakes

    You only need a few ingredients for this easy cupcake recipe:

    • Cake mix
    • Milk
    • Eggs
    • Coconut oil, vegetable oil or butter
    • Vanilla extract
    • Frosting
    • Food dye
    • Edible Easter Grass
    • Mini candy eggs

    I did make a few a changes, just to make these cupcakes-from-a-mix taste even better.  I used milk instead of water, and I used coconut oil and added some vanilla extract.

    The family definitely approved! Now, if you happen to have favorite cupcake recipe, you can definitely use that.

    yellow cupcakes with light green frosting

    Bake the cupcakes, and allow them to cool. I like to use parchment paper cups for baking and put the cupcakes into fancier liners for presentation!

    I tinted some vanilla frosting with green food coloring and spread a thin layer on each cupcake. The kids helped with this part.

    Next, take some of the edible Easter grass, and form a nest shape on each cupcake. They won't be perfect looking, but that's part of the cuteness!

    What is Edible Easter Grass

    Edible Easter grass is made from potato starch and usually artificial coloring and sweeteners. You can find it in stores like Walmart or Target or online.

    I found it easier to chop the grass up into smaller pieces and then place them in different directions on the frosting. You can use kitchen scissors or a sharp knife for this.

    Then, I the kids and I placed different candy eggs into the little nests. Not all of the eggs made it onto the cupcakes, but we had enough to go around.

    birds-nest--cupcakes-for-easter

    Use Tinted Coconut or Frosting

    If you can't find edible Easter grass or don't want to use it, try tinting shredded coconut and using that, instead. You can also pipe green frosting for the nests.

    easter cupcakes topped with edible easter grass and mini candy eggs
    bird's nest easter cupcakes with candy eggs

    Bird's Nest Easter Cupcakes Recipe

    easter cupcakes topped with edible grass and chocolate candy eggs in a nest

    Bird's Nest Easter Cupcakes

    Published by Dee
    Bird's Nest Easter Cupcakes topped with edible grass and candy eggs are super easy to make and perfect for a cute spring or Easter dessert!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    decorating time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 cupcakes
    Calories 118 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box of white cake mix
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 ¼ cups milk
    • ⅓ cup coconut oil or vegetable oil or melted butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 can vanilla frosting
    • 3 drops green food coloring
    • Edible Easter grass
    • Miniature candy eggs

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
    • Combine the cake mix, milk, eggs, coconut oil and vanilla in a large bowl, and mix well.
    • Pour batter into lined muffin tin
    • Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of cupcake is clean
    • Let cool completely
    • Add food coloring to frosting, and mix well
    • Spread a thin layer of frosting on each cupcake
    • Top with Easter grass and candy eggs
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Tinted coconut can be used instead of edible Easter grass. Or, pipe green frosting for the nests. Or use green candy sprinkles.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 118kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 36mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 32IUCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    More Easy Easter Desserts

    • Easter Bunny Tail Bark
    • Bunny Bait Snack Mix
    • Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs
    bird's-nest-easter-cupcakes
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Barbara Karr says

      March 28, 2018 at 11:04 pm

      Foul! Call in the referees. You are not really going to show us something as great as Easter grass and then leave us hanging are you? Only one store that carries it? At least give us the manufacturers name so we can track it down. If you are doing this project with kids the grass is a MUST. This is the cutest thing I´ve seen in forever. Excellent job! Can you imagine taking these to a nursing home? WOW. We are waiting. I said they were cute, but the more I look at them the more I think they are small works of art. Beautiful work.
      Hoppy Easter! Barb5 stars

      Reply
    2. Sara | Life's Little Sweets says

      March 30, 2016 at 8:21 am

      These are too cute! Pinning and sharing, they are perfect for Spring!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 30, 2016 at 8:31 am

        Thank you so much, Sara! The kids made another batch the other day, and they're almost gone! 🙂

    3. Christie says

      March 21, 2016 at 1:18 am

      Edible easter grass?? I have to look for this!! These are so adorable and fun. Sounds you had a good time with the kids making these.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 21, 2016 at 10:01 am

        Thanks so much, Christie! They were fun to make and even more fun to eat! 🙂

    4. Jess says

      March 19, 2016 at 12:00 pm

      Oh these are just too cute!

      I would LOVE for you join and share this at my DIY and Recipes FB Group
      Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 19, 2016 at 5:29 pm

        Thanks so much for stopping by, Jess! 🙂

    5. Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio says

      March 17, 2016 at 11:58 am

      I used to make these all the time with coconut. They were so cute but the kids wouldn't eat them. Edible grass is the perfect solution. Thanks for the idea and inspiration.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 17, 2016 at 2:08 pm

        Thanks, Beverly. I don't know why my kids hate coconut so much, but the edible grass worked!

    6. Mary says

      March 17, 2016 at 11:30 am

      Your Bird's Nest Cupcakes are so adorable, Dee! Thank you so much for sharing them at Weekend Potluck! Hope to see you at the party tomorrow!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 17, 2016 at 2:09 pm

        Thanks so much for stopping by, Mary. I'm glad you liked them! 🙂

    7. Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says

      March 17, 2016 at 11:19 am

      These are absolutely adorable, Dee! What a fun idea for Easter and spring! My daughter loves to bake with her little cousins when they visit...this would be a great project!

      Reply
    8. Debra Pugh says

      March 17, 2016 at 4:18 am

      Oh DEE these are too pretty to eat, lol!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 17, 2016 at 6:24 am

        Thanks, Deb! My kids had no problem scarfing them down, LOL! 🙂

    9. Julie says

      March 13, 2016 at 12:26 pm

      I love your cute cupcakes Dee. These are just perfect for Easter! I co-host a blog party on Monday's called Cooking and Crafting with J & J at Julie's Lifestyle. I would love to have you come and share this with us. Thanks.
      Julie xo

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 13, 2016 at 1:44 pm

        Thanks so much, Julie. I would love to stop by the party! 🙂

    10. Miz Helen says

      March 12, 2016 at 1:12 pm

      I love your Birds Nest Cupcakes! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    11. Stacey says

      March 11, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      Well blow me down! I've never even heard of edible Easter grass. Where do you get it? Michaels maybe? I've seen something similar using flaked coconut before but that Easter grass would make anyone smile. 🙂

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 11, 2016 at 10:48 pm

        I found the grass in Target with the Easter baking things. I just had to try it! 🙂

      • Stacey says

        March 17, 2016 at 12:43 pm

        Featured on Poofing the Pillows today. 🙂

    12. Lisa says

      March 10, 2016 at 9:18 am

      These are so precious! Can you believe I've never seen edible Easter grass? How cute is that?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 10, 2016 at 11:57 am

        Thanks, Lisa! I've never used it before, but I'm glad I gave it a try. 🙂

    13. Marie says

      March 09, 2016 at 7:20 pm

      These are absolutely adorable! I would have never thought to use edible Easter grass in such a way (though I'm totally having a "DUH" moment now, lol). These will be a great addition to our family Easter gathering.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 09, 2016 at 8:03 pm

        Thanks! I had never used it either, but when I saw it in the store, it made sense! 🙂

    14. Pamela-FromMyFrontPorchToYours says

      March 08, 2016 at 5:40 pm

      These are darling Dee!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 08, 2016 at 8:02 pm

        Thanks, Pamela. It was almost a little hard to eat them! 🙂

    15. carol says

      March 07, 2016 at 7:46 am

      These are so cute, Dee, and remind me of some I use to make when my kiddos were little! I haven't heard of or seen the Edible Grass (I didn't know to look for it), but I use to make my nests out of chocolate & shredded wheat. I may have to resurrect that recipe and make some for the neighbor kids! I just love hearing how you get your children involved in the kitchen. I always did that, too; and did it with the Grands until they all either moved away or got too old and busy. Anyway, keep on doing what you are doing, because it sounds wonderful.

      Are you on Spring Break? It starts today here in Gilbert. I love having the windows open and hearing children voices having fun outside!

      Hugs,
      Carol

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 07, 2016 at 8:58 am

        Thanks, Carol! My kids are usually happy to help in the kitchen, especially if we're making dessert! 😉

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