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–+ servings
“Chocolate Christmas tree cupcake topped with green frosting, red candy ornaments, and powdered sugar snow.”

Christmas tree cupcake

These festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes are a holiday showstopper that look bakery-perfect but take less than an hour to make. Moist vanilla (or chocolate) cupcakes are topped with fluffy green buttercream frosting swirled into tree shapes and decorated with sprinkles, candy stars, and edible glitter — a treat loved by kids and adults alike!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Dessert, Snack, Holiday Treat
Cuisine: American, Holiday Baking
Calories: 340
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cupcakes
  • 1 box Vanilla or chocolate cake mix - Or use your favorite from-scratch recipe
  • 3 large Eggs - Room temperature
  • ½ cup Vegetable oil - Or melted butter
  • 1 cup Water or milk - Adds moisture
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract - Optional for added flavor
For the Green Frosting
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter - Softened to room temp
  • 4 cups Powdered sugar - Sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons Heavy cream or milk - Adjust for consistency
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract - Flavor enhancer
  • 3–4 drops Green gel food coloring - For vibrant tree color
  • 1 pinch Salt - Balances sweetness
Decorations
  • Rainbow sprinkles - For garland effect
  • Mini chocolate chips - Ornament look
  • Star-shaped candies - For the tree top
  • Edible glitter or powdered sugar - Optional for snowy effect
  • Mini M&Ms - Adds color variety

Equipment

  • 1 Standard cupcake pan (12-cup) (For baking the cupcakes)
  • 1 Paper liners (Festive holiday-themed if available)
  • 1 Electric mixer (Hand or stand mixer for frosting)
  • 1 Piping bag (Disposable or reusable)
  • 1 Large star piping tip (Wilton 1M or 2D for tree shape)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cupcake pan with paper liners. Prepare batter per box or recipe instructions. Fill each liner ⅔ full. Bake 18–20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on rack.
  2. Beat butter on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually. Mix in cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat 3–4 minutes until fluffy. Add green coloring drop by drop.
  3. Fit piping bag with large star tip. Fill halfway with frosting to maintain control.
  4. Hold bag vertically over cupcake. Pipe wide circle at base, then smaller circles upward to create tree shape. Finish with pointed tip.
  5. While frosting is soft, add sprinkles, chocolate chips, and mini M&Ms as ornaments. Top each with a star candy. Dust with glitter or powdered sugar.
  6. Let cupcakes sit 30 minutes before stacking or serving so frosting firms slightly.

Nutrition

Serving: 120gCalories: 340kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 250mgPotassium: 80mgSugar: 38gVitamin A: 450IUCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes

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