Malteser Bunny Cupcakes Recipe

Fluffy Malteser Bunny Cupcakes Recipe: Hop Into Sweetness

Whipping up these delightful malteser bunny cupcakes promises a sweet chocolate adventure that melts hearts.

Soft vanilla sponge layers create the perfect base for malty magic.

Creamy frosting swirls dance with crunchy malteser pieces, creating a playful dessert experience.

Easter-inspired decorations make these treats irresistibly cute and fun.

Chocolate lovers will instantly fall for the rich, indulgent combination of flavors.

Each bite brings a delightful crunch and smooth chocolate sensation.

Malteser Cupcakes Kids and Adults Can’t Resist

  • Speedy Weekend Treat: Whip up these delightful cupcakes in just under an hour, perfect for satisfying sudden chocolate cravings during lazy weekends.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: The irresistible combination of chocolate, malt, and Maltesers makes these cupcakes a guaranteed hit at parties, gatherings, and family celebrations.
  • Beginner-Friendly Baking: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps ensure even novice bakers can create these impressive, professional-looking cupcakes with confidence.
  • Easter Celebration Special: The adorable Malteser Bunny topper transforms these cupcakes into a festive, seasonal dessert that brings joy and sweetness to holiday gatherings.

Malteser Bunny Cupcakes What You’ll Need

Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: A soft base that gives structure to the cupcakes, all-purpose flour works best.
  • Cocoa Powder: Provides rich chocolate flavor, Dutch-processed gives deeper color.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for light and fluffy texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds richness and moisture, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.
  • Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender crumb, granulated white sugar recommended.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structure, room temperature works best.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances depth of chocolate flavor, pure extract preferred.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and softness, whole milk recommended.
  • Hot Coffee or Water: Intensifies chocolate taste, helps create smooth batter.
Frosting and Topping Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting base.
  • Malted Milk Powder: Adds distinctive Malteser flavor and creaminess.
  • Cocoa Powder: Gives chocolate depth to frosting.
  • Heavy Cream or Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency.
  • Maltesers Candy: Provides crunchy texture and decorative element, original candies recommended.

Make Malteser Bunny Cupcakes

Make Malteser Bunny Cupcakes

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Get ready for some baking magic!

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, combine and beat until silky smooth:
  • Melted butter
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract

Step 4: Create Cupcake Batter

Slowly introduce milk and the dry ingredient mixture.

Stir gently until just combined.

Pour in hot coffee or water, mixing until the batter becomes wonderfully smooth and slightly runny.

Step 5: Fill and Bake

Pour batter into cupcake liners, filling each about three-quarters full.

Slide the tin into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 6: Cool Completely

Let cupcakes cool entirely before decorating.

Patience is key for perfect frosting!

Step 7: Whip Up Malted Frosting

Beat butter until fluffy and light.

Gradually mix in:
  • Powdered sugar
  • Malted milk powder
  • Cocoa powder

Add milk or heavy cream and vanilla extract.

Beat until the frosting becomes cloud-like and creamy.

Step 8: Decorate with Flair

Pipe or spread the malted frosting generously over each cooled cupcake.

Sprinkle with crushed Maltesers or chocolate sprinkles.

Crown each cupcake by gently pressing a Malteser Bunny into the center.

Cupcake Tips That Add Malteser Magic to Easter

  • Adjust cocoa powder levels to make cupcakes darker or lighter based on personal chocolate preference.
  • Freeze Malteser Bunnies briefly before placing on frosting to help them stay upright and maintain shape.
  • Add hot coffee to batter for deeper chocolate flavor and enhanced moisture without making cake dense.
  • Sift powdered sugar before mixing to eliminate lumps and create ultra-smooth, silky buttercream texture.
  • Substitute dairy milk with almond or oat milk and use vegan butter for inclusive baking options.

Store Malteser Bunny Cupcakes

  • Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and preventing the frosting from melting.
  • Let cupcakes sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and enhance flavor.
  • Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.
  • Warm refrigerated cupcakes briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness, being careful not to overheat and dry out the cake.

Malteser Bunny Cupcakes Accompaniments

  • Pair with Creamy Milk: Indulge in a chilled glass of whole milk that perfectly complements the rich chocolate and malty flavors of the cupcakes, enhancing the dessert's sweetness.
  • Match with Espresso Twist: Enjoy a shot of robust espresso or cappuccino to cut through the sweetness and provide a contrasting bitter note that elevates the cupcake's chocolate intensity.
  • Serve with Caramel Liqueur: Drizzle a small glass of smooth caramel liqueur alongside the cupcakes, creating a decadent pairing that amplifies the dessert's maltiness and chocolate depth.
  • Complement with Hazelnut Latte: Sip a warm hazelnut latte that echoes the nutty undertones of the Maltesers and adds a creamy, aromatic dimension to the cupcake experience.

Bunny Cupcakes in Malteser-Themed Versions

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Option: Substitute eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and swap dairy milk with almond or oat milk for a completely plant-based treat.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of sugar, and reduce the amount of frosting while incorporating more natural chocolate flavor from unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil, use coconut milk instead of dairy milk, and select dairy-free chocolate for decorating to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.

FAQs

  • What is malted milk powder, and can I substitute it?

Malted milk powder is a mixture of wheat flour, malted barley, and milk solids that adds a distinct sweet, nutty flavor. You can substitute with extra cocoa powder, but the unique malty taste will be slightly different.

  • Why does the recipe call for hot coffee or water?

Hot liquid helps bloom the cocoa powder, intensifying the chocolate flavor and creating a richer, moister cake texture. If you don’t like coffee, water works perfectly fine.

  • How do I prevent my cupcakes from being dry?

Don’t overmix the batter and be careful not to overbake. Check cupcakes a few minutes before the recommended baking time and remove them as soon as a toothpick comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.

  • Can I make these cupcakes in advance?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes 1-2 days ahead. Store them unfrosted in an airtight container at room temperature. Frost and decorate just before serving for the best taste and texture.

Print
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Malteser Bunny Cupcakes Recipe

Malteser Bunny Cupcakes Recipe


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4.6 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sweet Malteser Bunny Cupcakes bring chocolate magic to classic dessert lovers. Rich maltesers crown moist chocolate cupcakes with creamy frosting, creating irresistible Easter-inspired treats you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients (Cupcake Base):

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup hot coffee or hot water

Dry Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting and Decoration Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup malted milk powder (Ovaltine)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 Malteser Bunnies
  • Crushed Maltesers or malted milk balls
  • Chocolate sprinkles or extra cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions

  1. Prepare your workspace by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and positioning cupcake liners in a standard muffin tin.
  2. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly blended.
  3. In a separate large bowl, cream melted butter with sugar, incorporating eggs and vanilla until the mixture achieves a silky consistency.
  4. Gradually introduce milk to the butter mixture, then fold in the dry ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent over-mixing.
  5. Incorporate hot coffee or water, gently stirring until the batter develops a smooth, slightly liquid texture.
  6. Distribute the batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each approximately three-quarters full.
  7. Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.
  8. Remove cupcakes and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before proceeding with frosting.
  9. Whip butter until it becomes light and fluffy, using an electric mixer for optimal texture.
  10. Gradually add powdered sugar, malted milk powder, and cocoa powder, beating until the frosting achieves a smooth, consistent appearance.
  11. Introduce milk or heavy cream and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until the frosting becomes light and creamy.
  12. Using a piping bag or spatula, generously cover each cooled cupcake with the malted frosting.
  13. Enhance the cupcakes by sprinkling crushed Maltesers or chocolate sprinkles across the frosted surface.
  14. Crown each cupcake by gently pressing a Malteser Bunny into the center of the frosting.

Notes

  • Elevate the chocolate intensity by using high-quality dark cocoa powder for a richer, more complex flavor profile.
  • Ensure ingredients are at room temperature to create a smoother, more consistent cake batter that bakes evenly.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • The hot coffee or water helps activate the cocoa and creates a more moist, tender cupcake texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 24 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Angelina Wiles

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices​

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.​

​Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.


Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

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