Lemon Coconut Easter Cupcakes

I think these nested Easter egg cup cakes are just adorable! This is an idea that was inspired by some cupcakes I've seen recently but since it wasn't on Pinterest I have no idea where it was, so unfortunately I cannot give inspiration credit to anyone...

Okay so it not exactly a new recipe, I posted it here just over a year ago while living in Japan however I thought they would be perfect for this fun Easter idea! But to make your life a little simpler I'm going to post the recipe here as well so you don't have to click between two tabs/windows. :)

Lemon Cream Cupcakes

Ingredients:

BATTER:

• 1 cup butter softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (16 ounces) plain Greek yogurt (sour cream works too)

FROSTING:

• 2-1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened

DECORATING:

• half bag of shredded coconut
• green food dye
• candied Easter eggs

Directions: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon peel and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with yogurt, beating well after each addition (batter will be thick).

Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups with 1/4 cup of batter. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes (180°C for 19 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

For frosting, cream butter and confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl until light and fluffy. Add the lemon juice, vanilla, lemon peel and milk; beat until smooth. Frost cupcakes.Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen.

~Decorating~ Dye frosting to desired shade of green, I used 3-4 drops. Place shredded coconut into a mixing bowl and add enough drops of dye to reach desired color (I used between 20-35 drops), add drops in about 6 drop increments and mix well before adding more. Frost top of cupcake, dip into bowl of coconut, add a dab of frosting to tree candied Easter eggs and place on top of cupcake. 

What are you Easter treats this year? Try anything new?!