Citrus scented cupcakes are topped with a bird's nest made from chow mein noodles. And easy and festive Easter or Spring cupcake.
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 17 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour40 minutesminutes
Servings 28cupcakes
Calories
Author Deborah Harroun
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
2 3/4cupscake flour
2teaspoonsbaking powder
1/2teaspoonbaking soda
1/4teaspoonsalt
18-ounce carton sour cream
1/3cuporange juice
1tablespoonfinely shredded lemon peel
2tablespoonslemon juice
1cupbutterat room temperature
4eggsat room temperature
1 1/4cupssugar
For the frosting:
1/2cupbutterat room temperature
2cupspowdered sugar
1-2tablespoonsmilk
1/2teaspoonlemon extract
coloringif desired
For the nests:
6ouncesvanilla candy melts
4cupschow mein noodles
egg shaped candies or jelly beans
Instructions
Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350F. Line 28 cupcake tins with paper liners.
In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In another bowl, mix together the sour cream, orange juice, lemon zest and lemon juice.
In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add in the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl inbetween additions.
Add in the flour mixture and the sour cream mixture alternately, beating on low, just until combined.
Spoon the batter into the cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
Make the frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until smooth and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar, a little at a time, until incorporated completely. Add in the milk, 1/2 tablespoon at a time, until the consistency you want is reached. Beat in the extract, and any coloring, if desired. Frost each cooled cupcake with a layer of the frosting.
Make the nests: In a small microwave safe bowl, melt the candy melts for 30 seconds at a time, stirring well, until melted. Stir into the chow mein noodles, and stir to coat. Shape noodles into nest shapes to top the cupcakes. If the mixture starts to set up before you are done, return the bowl to the microwave for a few seconds.
Top each cupcake with a noodle nest, and place a few candies in the center of each nest. If you want the candy to stick, use a small amount of the frosting as glue.