Peeps Cupcakes

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Every Easter, the Peeps debate rages on — eat them straight from the package, let them go stale first, or use them as the most adorable cupcake topper in existence. I am firmly in the third camp, and these Peeps Cupcakes are my proof. Fluffy chocolate cupcakes topped with a swirl of green buttercream frosting and a cheerful Peeps bunny standing at attention — they are the kind of dessert that makes kids absolutely lose their minds and makes adults secretly want three of them.

The cupcake itself is a classic chocolate base — moist, rich, and deeply chocolatey. The frosting is a simple American buttercream tinted with green food coloring to look like grass, which is the perfect backdrop for your Peeps bunnies to stand in. The whole thing comes together in about 45 minutes and is genuinely one of the most fun baking projects you can do with kids. Fair warning: the Peeps may disappear before the cupcakes are even frosted.

Why You’ll Love These Peeps Cupcakes

They are festive, fun, and genuinely delicious — not just cute. The chocolate cupcake base is the real deal, not a box mix (though no judgment if you go that route). The green buttercream frosting is rich and creamy with a hint of vanilla. And the Peeps on top add a playful sweetness that works perfectly with the slightly bitter chocolate base. These are the cupcakes you bring to the Easter table and everyone immediately reaches for one before dinner is even served.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cocoa Powder — Use Dutch-process cocoa powder for the deepest chocolate flavor. Natural cocoa works too but gives a slightly lighter result.

Vegetable Oil — Oil-based cupcakes stay moist for days longer than butter-based ones. This is the secret to cupcakes that are just as good on day two as they are fresh.

Pure Vanilla Extract — Nielsen-Massey pure vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference in the frosting. Worth the upgrade.

Peeps Bunnies — One Peeps bunny per cupcake. Use any color you like — yellow, pink, and purple all look amazing against the green frosting. Buy a few extra because they will absolutely be eaten before you’re done decorating.

Green Food Coloring — Gel food coloring gives you a more vibrant color with less liquid. A few drops of green gel turns your frosting into perfect Easter grass.

How to Make Peeps Cupcakes

Step 1: Make the Chocolate Cupcake Batter

Whisk together the dry ingredients — flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt — in a large bowl or stand mixer.

Add the wet ingredients — eggs, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla — and mix on medium speed until just combined. The batter will be thin. That is exactly right.

Divide the batter evenly among a lined 12-cup muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full.

Bake at 350°F for 18–22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting — and I mean completely. Warm cupcakes will melt your frosting into a sad puddle.

Step 2: Make the Green Buttercream Frosting

Beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for 3–4 minutes until pale and fluffy. This step is important — properly whipped butter is the foundation of great buttercream.

Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud. Add the vanilla extract and a tablespoon of heavy cream. Beat on high for 2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Add green gel food coloring a drop at a time until you reach your desired shade of Easter grass green. Mix until the color is completely uniform.

Step 3: Frost and Decorate

Transfer the green frosting to a piping bag fitted with a grass tip or a large star tip. Pipe a generous swirl onto each cooled cupcake.

Add sprinkles while the frosting is still fresh so they stick. Easter-themed sprinkles — eggs, flowers, or pastel jimmies — all work beautifully.

Press one Peeps bunny into the center of each cupcake. Stand them upright so they look like they are emerging from the grass. The result is absolutely adorable.

Pro Tips for Perfect Peeps Cupcakes

Cool completely before frosting. I know I already said this, but it bears repeating. Even slightly warm cupcakes will cause your frosting to slide right off.

Use gel food coloring, not liquid. Liquid food coloring can thin your frosting and give you a washed-out color. Gel gives you a vibrant, true green with just a few drops.

Add the Peeps right before serving. Peeps will start to absorb moisture from the frosting if they sit too long, which can make them sticky and slightly melted-looking. For the best presentation, add them within an hour of serving.

A grass piping tip is worth it. A grass piping tip creates that perfect Easter grass texture that makes these cupcakes look truly professional. A large star tip works as a substitute.

Serving Suggestions

These cupcakes are the centerpiece of any Easter dessert table. Arrange them on a tiered stand with a few extra Peeps scattered around the base for a festive display. They are also a fantastic activity to do with kids — let them frost their own cupcakes and choose which Peeps bunny goes on top. Expect chaos, joy, and a lot of green frosting on faces.

Storage

Store frosted cupcakes (without Peeps) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving. Add the Peeps right before serving for best results.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you loved these Peeps Cupcakes, you’ll want to try these other fun desserts from Everyday Kitchen Recipes:

🍋 Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Lemon Curd — Three layers of sunshine in every bite. Perfect for spring entertaining.

🍫 Chocolate Lava Cakes — Individual molten chocolate cakes that are easier than they look.

🍓 Keto Strawberry Cheesecake — A low-carb showstopper with almond flour crust and fresh strawberry topping.

If you make these Peeps Cupcakes, I’d love to see them! Leave a comment below, give them a star rating, and tag us on Instagram @everydaykitchenrecipes — especially if your kids helped decorate.