Peeps Cupcakes are adorable Easter treats featuring moist chocolate cupcakes topped with fluffy green buttercream frosting and decorated with colorful sprinkles and iconic Peeps marshmallows. These festive cupcakes combine rich chocolate cake with sweet vanilla frosting for a classic flavor combination that everyone loves. The addition of a Peeps marshmallow on top makes them instantly recognizable as the perfect Easter dessert.
These Easter themed cupcakes are a perfect for Easter dessert for celebrations, spring birthday parties, or any springtime gathering where you want to serve something fun and festive. They're made from scratch but use simple ingredients and straightforward techniques that even beginner bakers can master. With about 30 minutes of prep time and a short baking time, you can have two dozen impressive cupcakes ready for your celebration.
If you are looking for other fun Easter desserts, try these Peeps rice krispie treats or this Easter poke cake.
Kids and adults alike will love the fun presentation with the Peeps sitting on top of each cupcake. The recipe is also versatile - you can use different colored Peeps and frosting to match your party theme or personal preference, making them customizable for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- Sugar
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Vanilla
- Eggs
- Milk
- Oil
For the frosting:
- Unsalted butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Milk
- Green food coloring
- Easter sprinkles
- Peeps marshmallows
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Use these instructions to create these festive Easter cupcakes with chocolate cake and green buttercream frosting.
Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a couple standard muffin tins with cupcake liners and set aside.
Step one: For the cupcakes - in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
Step two: Add in the vanilla, eggs, milk and oil. Mix on low until combined and scrape down the sides often.
Step three: Using a measuring cup or similar, scoop the cake batter evenly into the prepared cupcake tins.
Step four: Bake in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until the center is set. Allow to cool completely before decorating.
Step five: For the frosting - in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and about half of the powdered sugar. Mix on low until combined, scraping down the sides often.
Step six: Add in the remaining powdered sugar, salt and vanilla. Mix on low until combined. Add in the milk and mix until combined, scraping down the sides often.
Step seven: Add in the green food coloring - starting with just a little and adding more if needed to achieve the desired shade of green. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Step eight: To assemble - once the cupcakes are cooled, pipe a large mound of frosting over each cupcake. Immediately decorate with the sprinkles and insert a Peeps marshmallow to set in the center.
Hint: Decorate your cupcakes with the sprinkles immediately after piping the frosting, while it's still soft and sticky. If you wait too long, the frosting will form a crust and the sprinkles won't stick properly. Work in batches if needed to ensure the frosting stays fresh.
Recipe Tips for Success
- Don't overbake these chocolate cupcakes - start checking them at 14 minutes. They're done when the centers are just set and spring back lightly when touched. Overbaking will result in dry cupcakes, and the goal is to keep them moist and tender. The cupcakes will continue to cook slightly as they cool in the pan, so it's better to pull them out when they look barely done.
Storage
Cupcakes should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The buttercream frosting holds up well, though the Peeps marshmallows may become slightly firmer when chilled. Let the cupcakes sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture. Note that the Peeps may lose some of their shape over time, so these are best enjoyed within the first day or two for optimal presentation.
Peeps Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
- 1 c sugar
- 1 c flour
- ½ c cocoa powder
- 1 t baking powder
- ½ t baking soda
- ½ t salt
- 1 t vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1 c milk
- ½ c oil
For the frosting
- 1 c unsalted butter softened
- 4 c powdered sugar
- 1 t vanilla
- 1 t salt
- 3 t milk
- Green food coloring
- Easter sprinkles
- Peeps marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a couple standard muffin tins with cupcake liners and set aside.
- For the cupcakes - in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
- Add in the vanilla, eggs, milk and oil. Mix on low until combined and scrape down the sides often.
- Using a measuring cup or similar, scoop the cake batter evenly into the prepared cupcake tins.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until the center is set. Allow to cool completely before decorating.
- For the frosting - in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and about half of the powdered sugar.
- Mix on low until combined, scraping down the sides often.
- Add in the remaining powdered sugar, salt and vanilla. Mix on low until combined.
- Add in the milk and mix until combined, scraping down the sides often.
- Add in the green food coloring - starting with just a little and adding more if needed to achieve the desired shade of green.
- Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- To assemble - once the cupcakes are cooled, pipe a large mound of frosting over each cupcake.
- Immediately decorate with the sprinkles and insert a Peeps marshmallow to set in the center.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is just an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
