3 Cute ways to decorate an Easter cupcake

These chocolate cupcakes are covered in a thick layer of green-dyed vanilla frosting. The green color of the frosting combined with the texture of the coconut gives the appearance of grass. Large peanut M&M's are then attached in the shape of a flower. These cupcakes are easy to assemble and very colorful.

Serves 24

Ingredients:

• 1 box devil's food cake mix and the ingredients called for
• 1 container vanilla frosting
• Green food dye
• 1-1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 bag spring-colored peanut M&M's

Directions:

1. Prepare the cupcakes according to the package directions to make 24 cupcakes. Bake them and set them aside to cool completely.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the vanilla frosting with the green food dye. Mix until you reach the desired shade of green.
3. Generously frost each cupcake with the green frosting.
4. In another bowl, combine the coconut with several drops of green food coloring. Stir and mix with your hands to thoroughly dye the coconut green.
5. Place a tablespoon of dyed green coconut on each cupcake and press it into the frosting to ensure it will stay.
6. Slightly separating the coconut from the frosting, attach the M&M's in the shape of a flower. If needed, use extra frosting to attach the M&M's and get them to stay in place.

These bunny cupcakes have a classic chocolate base made from a chocolate cake mix. The frosting and the coconut are both dyed green to give the cupcakes a grassy texture and appearance. The Lindt bunnies are placed on top of the grass and surrounded by spring-colored M&M's. The chocolate Lindt bunnies add a festive component to these cupcakes, and they taste incredibly rich and decadent.

Serves 24

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Prepare the cupcakes according to package directions to make 24 cupcakes. Bake them and set them aside to cool completely.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the vanilla frosting with the green food dye. Mix until you reach the desired shade of green.
3. Generously frost each cupcake with the green frosting. Place the colored M&M's around the edge of the cupcake, using extra frosting to attach the candies if needed.
4. Place a Lindt bunny (wrapped or unwrapped) in the center of each cupcake.
5. In another bowl, combine the coconut with several drops of green food coloring. Stir and mix with your hands to thoroughly dye the coconut green.
6. Place a tablespoon of dyed green coconut on each cupcake around the bunny and press it into the frosting to ensure it will stay.

These dessert cupcakes have a bird's nest on top, creating an exciting crunch when eating them. The nest is made from chow mein noodles that have been coated in milk chocolate and allowed to harden. The candies in the middle are robin's eggs that have been secured before the chocolate hardens. These nests are placed on top of cupcakes that have a simple chocolate base.

Serves 24

Ingredients:

• 1 box devil's food cake mix and the ingredients called for
• 1 container vanilla frosting
• Green food dye
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 4 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 4 cups chow mein noodles
• 1 bag spring-colored and flecked robin's eggs candies

Directions:

1. Prepare the cupcakes according to package directions to make 24 cupcakes. Bake them and set them aside to cool completely.
2. Line a large tray with parchment paper and set it aside.
3. While the cupcakes are baking, combine the chocolate chips with the vegetable oil in a large microwave-safe bowl.
4. Microwave in bursts of 30 seconds, stirring after each burst, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
5. Gently stir in the chow mein noodles, being careful not to crush them.
6. Stir until all of the chow mein noodles are well coated in chocolate. Scoop large amounts of the chocolate-covered chow mein noodles onto the parchment-lined tray. (The mixture should make 24 nests.)
7. Shape the chocolate chow mein noodle scoops into nests and place three robin's egg candies on top.
8. Allow the nests to harden completely.
9. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the vanilla frosting with the green food dye. Mix until you reach the desired shade of green.
10. Generously frost each cupcake with the green frosting.
11. Press a completely dried chow mein nest onto the top of each cupcake.