Why a recipe for definitely non-festive Nerds cupcakes at the end of November? Because sometimes your dear friend Steph has a baby shower during the holiday season and her favorite candy is Nerds and you love that Steph so much you’ll do anything to make her baby shower a success…even baking cupcakes with one of your least favorite candies.
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Though Nerds are at the bottom of my candy list (Twix is at the top followed closely by Kit Kat), these Nerds cupcakes turned out ridiculously cute and tasty—so tasty, in fact, I may have eaten more than one.
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Basically I took your typical funfetti cupcake and kicked it up a fruity notch or two (or three). I did try a new vanilla frosting recipe (you cook part of the frosting first–crazy!) but wasn’t as big a fan as I’d hoped. I’ve substituted my favorite vanilla buttercream frosting in its place, but feel free to use your preferred vanilla frosting.
The vanilla bean buttercream I used to frost these vanilla bean cupcakes is a good one too!
Printable recipe for Nerds cupcakes below.
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- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup shortening
- 3 cups sugar
- 5 eggs at room temperature
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ½ cup Nerds candy plus more for sprinkling
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and shortening until light and fluffy. Slowly add sugar one cup at a time, mixing well between each addition. Add eggs one at a time, also mixing well between each one.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter and shortening mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Add vanilla extract.
- Beat batter on high speed for about 5 seconds to fully incorporate all ingredients. Stop mixer and scrape down sides and bottom of bowl. Gently fold in Nerds candy.
- Fill cupcake liners ½ to ⅔ full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove and allow to cool slightly in pans before removing to a wire rack. Cool completely before frosting.
- In a large bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy. Add sugar and mix on low speed until well blended. Increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.
- Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for consistency.
- Top cupcakes with frosting and sprinkle with extra Nerds candy.
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Other cupcakes you might enjoy baking (and eating):
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Pumpkin cupcakes with salted caramel cream cheese frosting
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Funfetti cupcakes with vanilla bean frosting
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jamie
I may be forced to try the pumpkin with the salted carmel. And it will be your fault.
~j
Emily Hill
It’s only my fault if you eat half a batch. Up until that point, it’s all on you, my friend.
P.S. I miss you.
Jen
Darling cupcakes, of course!
Your favorite candies sound eerily similar to mine. And I could pass by a box of nerds any day and not be tempted. Your cupcakes on the other hand, they look delicious!!
Emily Hill
They really are yummy. And now I know what to pack for our road trip. ;)
steph
There’s another “dear friend Steph” whose “favorite candy is nerds” in your world. Right here! Ok, maybe not my absolute favorite, but enough that for my birthday this year my husband put nerds on MY cake! Ha! No baby for me though. Don’t worry.
Emily Hill
Now that I know, I’ll have to make them for you for your very next birthday. :)
Kevin
Seriously MAD photo skills!
Emily Hill
Why, thank you!
Jenny Layton
These are so cute! Thanks for the fun idea!
Emily Hill
Thank you!
Von
I am still am craving your peach cobbler cupcakes, for realz.
Emily Hill
Oh my gosh, those are so good! We’ll have to make them again soon.
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling
All these cupcakes are making me hungry!! I used to love Nerds Blizzards from DQ….I’m sure they would be delicious in cupcakes, too!
Emily Hill
I’m not sure i could do a Nerds Blizzard but I do love DQ. :)