Delightful Festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe
Bring holiday cheer to your dessert table with these Festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes! These whimsical cupcakes feature a light and fluffy vanilla base topped with a swirl of green buttercream, decorated to look like a mini Christmas tree. With edible decorations like sprinkles, candy stars, and powdered sugar “snow,” these cupcakes are perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or just celebrating the season in sweet style.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (or homemade vanilla cupcake recipe)
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
For the Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
- Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
For Decoration
- Edible gold stars or candy stars
- Holiday-themed sprinkles
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Mini marshmallows (optional, for snow effect)
Instructions
1️⃣ Bake the cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your cupcake pan by lining it with paper liners. Follow the instructions on the cake mix box, or use your favorite vanilla cupcake recipe. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.
2️⃣ Make the buttercream frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until smooth and fluffy. Add green food coloring a little at a time until you reach your desired shade of green.
3️⃣ Frost the cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are fully cooled, use a piping bag fitted with a star tip (like a 1M tip) to swirl the green buttercream on top of each cupcake, starting from the center and working outward to create a tree-like shape.
4️⃣ Decorate the trees: Add candy stars or edible gold stars to the top of each tree. Sprinkle holiday-themed sprinkles around the “tree” for extra festive flair. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or mini marshmallows to create a snow effect.
5️⃣ Serve and enjoy: Arrange your cupcakes on a festive platter and enjoy the holiday fun with these adorable Christmas tree treats!
Notes
- You can use chocolate cupcakes as the base for a fun twist.
- For a more decadent treat, drizzle some melted chocolate over the frosting before decorating.
- These cupcakes are perfect for holiday parties, school events, or gift boxes.
Keywords: Christmas tree cupcakes, holiday cupcakes, festive desserts, Christmas party treats, Christmas desserts