Spring Chick Cupcakes |Cooking With Amanda

Although I am thrilled by the arrival of spring, I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't mourning the passing of a snow-less winter.

How are people expected to live without a single snowy day, that's what I want to know? A snowy day is the national holiday of readers and bakers across the land.

Reading with a cozy blanket on your lap and eating warm, homemade cookies is mandatory on snowy days, I have heard this from multiple government officials. I can't help feeling that I have been a little robbed.

With Easter quickly approaching, I have sadly been forced to accept that a belated winter storm will definitely not be occurring. Flowers are blooming, my allergies are making my eye make-up smear, and my kids are bombarding me with requests to take them outside.

Thanks to the delightful thing known as "Springing Forward", I can hardly even get the children to bed. The other night, I told Lucy it was time to put pajamas on and she started screaming, "I STILL SEE THE TREES!! IT"S A SUNNY DAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!"

Try explaining Daylight Savings to a three year old. I'd have better luck teaching her algebra.

So here we are. Although I am slightly bitter at the moment, I promise to embrace spring, take deep breaths of the pollen-filled air, and maybe even change out of my yoga pants and thick wool socks. But mainly, I will bask in my lovely (and air conditioned) kitchen, watching Dr. Phil reruns and baking sweet, springy treats.

These little chicks were one of the first things that came to mind when dreaming up Easter cupcakes. My Lucy is currently obsessed with baby chicks and ducks, and I couldn't resist this simple and adorable treat.

You'll start off by piping yellow buttercream (recipe below) on a dozen cupcakes. I do this with a large round tip, piping in a clockwise swirl.

Cut small triangles from any pliable orange candy. I prefer Airheads – they are easy to find and inexpensive.

Once cupcakes are frosted, add candy eyes (I have always found these at any hobby store, beaks, and feet. So cute and SO simple! Enjoy!

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Spring Chick Cupcakes Recipe

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Ingredients

12 cupcakes, baked and cooled
24 mini orange jellybeans
24 candy eyes, or mini m&ms
1 orange airhead candy

For the Buttercream Frosting:

2 sticks salted butter, slightly softened
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
yellow food coloring

Directions

In the bowl of your mixer, beat butter, cream, and vanilla on medium low speed until combined. With the mixer on low, slowly add powdered sugar, beating until just combined.
Add yellow food coloring, scrape the sides of the bowl, and beat on high for one minute, until light and fluffy.
Using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, pipe a generous swirl of frosting on each cupcake.
Using scissors, cut 12 small triangles out of orange Airhead candy.
Gently press eyes, nose, and jellybean feet on each chick.