Spring Chick Cupcakes
Recipe and Photos from MarthaStuart.com
This treat is modeled on one of the symbols of the season -- baby chicks. With their coconut feathers, nutty beaks, and confectionery details, the cakes aren't just eye candy; they're delicious, too.
To hatch one of these, you don't have to be an expert baker. Making a batch of chick cupcakes is a perfect task for novices, and kids will love to help. The result will be a whimsical hit at the table.
Makes 20 cupcakes.
Step 1

Bake
cupcakes and cool completely. When turned upside-down, each cupcake becomes the body of a chick. Spread buttercream frosting on a cupcake to anchor it to the serving plate while you are working. Use a small offset spatula to coat the sides thickly with frosting, and then mound more on top to create a dome shape.
Step 2

Press toasted shredded coconut into the frosting -- it stands in for fuzzy feathers. Hold the plate at an angle while applying the coconut so the excess falls back into the bowl.
Step 3
Place eyes (made from snipped black licorice laces) on chicks using tweezers. Use a whole almond for the beak and red licorice for the feet and comb; both can be pushed into the frosting by hand.
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