Easter Cupcakes

My favorite holiday is almost here! I LOVE Easter. Ever since I was little, Easter was a magical holiday. Because not only did we color Easter eggs and find hidden baskets, but we also got to make the most delicious cupcakes ever! I'm a sucker for anything coconut, so obviously these Easter cupcakes are at the top of my list! 

This time around, I decided to make these cupcakes with our favorite Three Layer Golden Chocolate Cake. But you can make them with any type of cupcakes you want. Then you dip your freshly iced cupcakes in green coconut and top with your favorite Easter candy eggs (Cadbury? Yes, please! But we also use robin eggs sometimes too). I promise you won't be disappointed with these lovely treats! Enjoy!

Hershey's Three Layer Golden Cake
Makes 2 dozen cupcakes
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2  cup shortening
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 eggs (separated)
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cup milk

DIRECTIONS
1) Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. 
2) In an electric mixer (or in a large bowl with a hand held mixer). Cream together shortening, butter and both sugars. 
3) Add the egg yolks and vanilla and beat well. 
4) Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt and add alternately with the milk to the creamed mixture. 
5) In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until sift. Then fold stiff egg whites into the batter. 
6) Fill lined cupcake tins 2/3rds full and cook for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of one of the cupcakes comes out clean. Let cool and frost with cream cheese frosting (recipe follows). 
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Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS

8 oz cream cheese  

1/2 cup butter (room temp)  

2 cups powdered sugar (or more) 

1 tablespoon cream or milk

1 teaspoon vanilla 

DECORATIONS
2-3 cups shredded coconut
1 small pkg. Cadbury Chocolate Eggs
Green Food Coloring

DIRECTIONS

1) Beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy. 

2) Add powdered sugar, cream or milk, and vanilla.

3) Beat until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Stir in a couple drops of green food coloring.
4) In a separate bowl, combine 3-5 drops of green food coloring with shredded coconut.
5) Ice cupcakes and immediately dip tops in prepared coconut. Top with a few chocolate eggs. 

    ENJOY! 
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