CUPCAKE EASTER BASKETS

Cupcake Easter Baskets image

These cute cupcakes with their mild orange flavor are fun to dress up for Easter. As we raised four sons and a daughter, I prepared many, many school lunches and often added these springtime treats. -Julie Johnston, Shaunavon, Saskatchewan

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 40m

Yield 1-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 cups cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup buttermilk
FROSTING:
3/4 cup butter, softened
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon water
4 drops green food coloring
1-1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Chocolate licorice twists
Chocolate egg candy

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the egg and orange zest. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. , Fill 18 paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar; spread over cupcakes. Combine water and food coloring in a large bowl; add coconut. Stir to coat. Sprinkle over cupcakes., Using a metal or wooden skewer, poke 2 holes in the top of each cupcake, 1 hole on each side. Cut licorice into 6-in. strips for handles; insert each end of a licorice piece into a hole. Decorate with candy eggs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 351 calories, Fat 18g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 51mg cholesterol, Sodium 273mg sodium, Carbohydrate 47g carbohydrate (33g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.