Easter cupcakes are easy to make and a fun family activity. If you don't want to make these from scratch you can buy a white cake mix and a can of frosting and still have a great time!

Here's what you need:

36 cupcakes (recipe below)
Frosting (recipe below)
Flaked coconut
Green food coloring
Jelly beans

To tint the flaked coconut green, place a handful of coconut in a ziploc bag and stir a toothpick dipped in green food coloring through the coconut. Close the bag and knead the bag until the color is evenly distributed.

To decorate the cupcakes, spread on the frosting first then sprinkle with green coconut. Add jelly beans or any other Easter candy for decoration. Have fun, and make sure to take some pictures for your family scrapbook.

Cupcake Recipe
makes 36 cupcakes

2 c. flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. milk
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 36 muffin cups with paper baking cups. Beat all ingredients on low speed for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Beat on high for 3 minutes. Fill baking cups 1/2 full. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool before decorating.

Icing:

3 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. milk

Mix powdered sugar and butter. Stir in vanilla and milk and mix until smooth. Add more powdered sugar or milk if necessary, to get desired consistency.

Copyright 2007, CreativeHomemaking.com.