Who remembers singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas”? I spent a lot of time as a child trying to decide why anyone would give someone “10 Lords a Leaping” or “12 Drummers Drumming.” What would you do with them? Where would you keep them at your house? Wouldn’t it be too costly to give someone all these gifts? I’ve researched the origins of the song and it seems that no one can agree on what the lyrics actually mean.
This year I thought it would be fun to try to create recipes for the Twelve Days of Christmas. I’ve partnered with Sweet N’ Low®, along with eleven other bloggers, to create a dish for each day. My recipe is based on day four of the song, “4 Calling Birds.” I wasn’t exactly sure what a “calling bird” looked like so I created my own version- coconut cupcakes with coconut nests, candy eggs, and tiny birds.
Disclosure: Sweet’N Low® provided me with product and compensation, although all opinions are my own.
Four Calling Birds Cupcakes
These cupcakes take a little bit of effort, but they’re fun and a surprisingly different twist on the usual Christmas goodies. By using Sweet n’N Low®, I’ve managed to cut some of the calories, too. You can use it in any of your favorite baking recipes, however, it’s important to not completely substitute Sweet’N ’ Low® for all the sugar called for as to avoid changing the recipe’s texture. A good rule of thumb is to substitute ½ of the sugar in a recipe with Sweet’N Low®.
Another tip is to remember that for each ½ cup of sugar you are replacing, use either 12 packets, 4 teaspoons of bulk Sweet N’ Low®, or 1 tablespoon of Sweet’N Low® liquid.
Now for the recipe! First, make the cupcakes. If you’d like the cupcakes to be gluten-free, you can substitute an equal amount of gluten-free baking flour for the all-purpose flour and omit the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. You’ll want to use toasted coconut in this recipe for a flavor boost. To do that, spread the coconut onto a baking sheet. Be sure to use a thin layer of coconut so it will toast evenly. Place the coconut into a preheated 350-degree oven for five to ten minutes. The coconut will toast quickly so check on it every couple of minutes to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Make the frosting as the cupcakes are cooling. Instead of including the toasted coconut in the icing, I topped the frosting with the coconut to resemble birds’ nests. You’ll want to allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the icing from melting. It can make a gooey, sticky mess if you ice them too quickly!
I used candy-coated chocolate peanuts in holiday colors instead of making the candy eggs from scratch,. You can also substitute jelly beans or candy malted milk ball eggs. I’m all for making the holidays easier if you’re short on time!
Finally, it’s time to make the birds! I did some research to determine exactly what is a “calling bird.” Over the years, the song lyrics have included “calling bird,” “colly bird,” “canary bird,” “colour’d bird,” and “curley bird.” I decided not to use a “colly bird” as that meant blackbird which wasn’t as cheery for the holidays. Instead, I found a package of festive bird picks and cupcake wrappers with cardinals in the Christmas baking section of my local big box store. Sure, it’s not historically correct, but I like it.
Printable Recipe:
- To Make The Cupcakes:
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons Sweet N Low® 8 oz. or 16 packets Sweet’N Low®
- ¾ cup cream of coconut
- 2 ounces toasted shredded coconut
- To Make The Toasted Coconut Frosting:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chilled cream of coconut
- 3 packets Sweet N’ Low® OR 1 teaspoon Sweet’N Low® liquid or ¾ teaspoon Sweet’N Low® 8 oz.
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ to 1 ½ cups shredded toasted coconut
- For The Decorations:
- For the eggs:
- 1 package (11.4 ounces) chocolate-covered peanut candies in Holiday Colors
- (can also use jelly beans or malted milk balls)
- To Make The Cupcake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Using a mixer, combine the vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract on low speed until blended.
- In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
- Add the flour to the egg mixture and mix over low speed until combined.
- Stir in the cream of coconut, sugar, and Sweet N’ Low®.
- When mixture is blended, add the coconut and stir.
- Pour the mixture into 12 cupcake liners. Fill each liner ¾ full.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.
- To Make The Frosting:
- Add heavy cream, Sweet N’ Low®, cream of coconut, and cornstarch to a large mixing bowl.
- Using a mixer, blend the ingredients until stiff peaks form.
- Spread frosting over cooled cupcakes.
- Top frosting with toasted coconut.
- To Decorate the Cupcakes:
- Place 3 to 4 candies onto the top of each cupcake.
- Add a Christmas bird pick to each cupcake.
- Note: Store the frosted cupcakes in the refrigerator.
- Makes 1 dozen cupcakes.
Here are a couple of quick cooking tips to make this recipe easier:
• When using the cream of coconut to make the frosting, it MUST be chilled. I recommend placing it in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours and pulling it out when ready to use.
• You’ll also have leftover frosting. It can be used as filling for cupcakes or cakes or a dip for fruit. If you want to use it for a dip, it’s great with ½ cup shredded toasted coconut stirred into the mixture.
I think these cupcakes turned out to be adorable. This is a great project to do with the kids. Why not let them decorate the cupcakes with candy eggs and add the calling birds? They’ll be happy to share these cupcakes with family and friends.
Sweet N’ Low® is a great way to cut calories out of your favorite holiday drinks because it dissolves easily into hot and cold beverages. I’m adding it to my wassail and my frou-frou coffee drinks this year! For more information on Sweet’N Low® and for more sweet seasonal recipes, visit sweetnlow.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.
Have you made desserts for the twelve Twelve Days of Christmas? Do you have any special celebrations for these days? Share them with me!
If you’re looking for more holiday recipes to commemorate the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” visit these sites. Soon you’ll be baking and singing along!
Twelve Days of Christmas Recipes:
Day 1: Partridge In A Pear Tree Pie- Mommy’s Memorandum
Day 2: Turtle Cheesecake- Words of Deliciousness
Day 3: French Butter Cookies – Grandma’s Briefs
Day 4: Calling Bird Cupcakes- Simply Southern Mom
Day 5: Apple Fritter Rings-Belly Full
Day 6: Chocolate Mousse Parfait- From Val’s Kitchen
Day 7: Swan Profiteroles- Mom Skoop
Day 8: Salted Caramel Ginger Pot De Creme – Hungry Couple
Day 9: Cranberry Orange Dream Bars – 365 Days of Baking
Day 10: Earl Grey Chocolate Truffles – Lowcarb-ology
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These cupcakes are super cute! I love the theme, that is a song we sing at every holiday party. LOL!
Ohh yes! I love this idea and how it pays a tribute to one of my favorite Christmas carols. So creative!
These four calling birds cupcakes are adorable! The perfect way to celebrate this season!
We are always looking for ways to cut the sugar in our house, this is a perfect recipe. We get to eat a bit more healthy and enjoy the holiday cheer
These are CUTISIMOS!! My hubby Sweetie is pre-dabetic, but his sweet tooth can be fierce. Gracias for a recipe that he can enjoy looking at AND eating.
Cute idea! I love that it is all about the 12 Days of Christmas. The recipe sounds delicious!
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These are so cute! I love the themed 12 Days of Christmas Recipes! Perfect for the season!
Looks delicious perfect for my Mother who is suffering from diabetes. I was planning to bake something to give to family and friends this Christmas, you just gave me an excellent idea. Thanks
Pingback: Low Carb Turtle Cheesecake - Words of Deliciousness
Very festive. Very cute. Very delicious!
What a fun idea for the holidays! I’m a sucker for a good cupcake.
I love this cute cupcake idea. It’s a unique way to tie into the holiday season that I haven’t seen before.
Cute idea. We were singing the 12 Days of Christmas during the AM carpool the other day. I always prepare sugar free desserts during the holidays for our guests who are diabetic. This would be an ideal treat.
These cupcakes are so cute. I have seen a bird’s next for Easter, but I have never seen a Christmas idea for it. I like it!
Those cupcakes look amazing and a great theme for a party. The 12 days of Christmas is a classic but when they totaled up the cost it was enormous and forget the practicality of finding that stuff.
These are gorgeous!! I like that you created a holiday recipe to commemorate the “Twelve Days of Christmas”. I’ve never thought of that.
Well now I have the song running through my head. These cupcakes look really good and love how you decorated them with the calling birds.
Yum, these cupcakes look so delicious. Plus they’re pretty! I need to make these with my kids for sure!
That is kind of a fun idea! Those cupcakes look great and I think it is a fun idea to make the 12 days of Christmas this way!