Christmas Tree Cupcakes are the perfect festive treat to add sparkle to your holiday celebrations. These delightful cupcakes not only look stunning but are also deliciously moist and easy to make. Decorated to resemble miniature Christmas trees, they’re a hit with kids and adults alike, making them a wonderful addition to holiday parties or family gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
Decorations:
- Star-shaped sprinkles
- Mini candy ornaments or sugar pearls
- Edible glitter (optional)
- Pretzel sticks (optional, for tree trunk effect)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cupcakes:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, and mix until combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the Frosting:
- Beat the butter until creamy. Slowly add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well between additions.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and milk to achieve the desired consistency. Add green food coloring and mix until the color is uniform.
- Decorate the Cupcakes:
- Use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to pipe the green frosting onto the cooled cupcakes in a swirling motion to resemble a Christmas tree.
- Decorate with star-shaped sprinkles on top and use mini candy ornaments or sugar pearls to mimic tree decorations.
- Sprinkle with edible glitter for a festive touch.
- Optional Pretzel Trunks:
- Insert a pretzel stick into the base of the frosting to create a tree trunk effect.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serve these Christmas Tree Cupcakes at room temperature for the best taste and texture. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow the cupcakes to come to room temperature before serving. If preparing in advance, you can bake the cupcakes a day ahead and frost them closer to serving time for maximum freshness.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought frosting for these cupcakes?
Yes, store-bought frosting can be used as a time-saving option. Simply add green food coloring to match the theme.
2. How do I make the frosting stiffer for piping?
If your frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar in small increments until the desired consistency is achieved.
3. Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix designed for cupcakes.
4. What can I use instead of a piping bag?
If you don’t have a piping bag, use a plastic sandwich bag with a small corner snipped off, or spread the frosting with a spatula for a rustic look.
Enjoy crafting these adorable Christmas Tree Cupcakes and spreading holiday cheer with every bite!
PrintChristmas Tree Cupcakes
These moist chocolate cupcakes are topped with creamy vanilla buttercream, decorated to resemble miniature Christmas trees. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat, making them a great addition to your holiday celebrations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Baking
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot water or freshly brewed coffee
For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Green gel food coloring
For Decoration:
- Star-shaped sprinkles or candies
- Assorted colorful sprinkles or nonpareils
- Edible glitter (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cupcakes:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Carefully stir in the hot water or coffee until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin, which is normal.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter on medium speed until creamy and light in color, about 3-4 minutes.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until incorporated.
- Add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for an additional 3 minutes, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- If the frosting is too thick, add an additional tablespoon of cream or milk. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
- Add green gel food coloring a little at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, until you achieve your desired shade of green.
- Decorate the Cupcakes:
- Fit a piping bag with a large star tip (such as Wilton 1M) and fill it with the green buttercream.
- Starting at the center of each cupcake, pipe the frosting in a circular motion, gradually building upward to create a tree shape.
- Immediately after piping, decorate the frosting trees with assorted sprinkles to resemble ornaments.
- Place a star-shaped sprinkle or candy at the top of each tree.
- For an extra festive touch, lightly dust the trees with edible glitter to mimic sparkling snow.
Notes
- Using hot coffee in the cupcake batter enhances the chocolate flavor, but hot water can be used as a substitute if preferred.
- Ensure the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
- Gel food coloring is recommended for achieving vibrant colors without altering the consistency of the frosting.
- Store the decorated cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.