Jolly Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe: Festive Holiday Baking Fun

Sweet winter celebrations come alive with these adorable christmas tree cupcakes that sparkle with festive cheer.

Delicate green frosting swirls into perfect pine-like peaks on soft, fluffy vanilla bases.

Decorative sprinkles and colorful candy ornaments turn simple cupcakes into edible holiday masterpieces.

Each bite bursts with seasonal joy and magical memories.

Tiny bakers and experienced decorators alike can craft these delightful treats with ease.

Bring some whimsical charm to your holiday dessert table and watch smiles bloom brighter than the Christmas lights.

Ideas For Showing Off Christmas Tree Cupcakes

• Festive Holiday Gathering: Serve these cupcakes at Christmas parties, surrounded by twinkling lights and cheerful decorations to create a magical dessert centerpiece.
• Edible Gift Idea: Package individual cupcakes in clear gift boxes with green ribbons, making them perfect personalized presents for neighbors, teachers, or holiday hosts.
• Creative Dessert Platter: Arrange cupcakes in a triangular tree shape on a large white platter, using green frosting and white sprinkles to enhance the Christmas tree design, creating a delightful visual display that doubles as a sweet treat.
• Kid-Friendly Decorating Station: Set up a fun decorating area where children can add their own festive touches using green frosting, edible ornaments, and colorful sprinkles to transform plain cupcakes into adorable Christmas tree masterpieces.

How To Store Christmas Tree Cupcakes Without Smudging

• Quick Batch Preparation: Make double the recipe and freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 weeks, wrapped tightly in plastic and stored in freezer-safe containers. Perfect for surprise holiday gatherings.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store frosted Christmas tree cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 35 days. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before serving to restore room temperature softness and flavor.
• Room Temperature Storage: Keep unfrosted cupcakes at room temperature in a sealed container for 23 days. Place a paper towel underneath to absorb excess moisture and maintain freshness.
• Ingredient Separation Technique: Store buttercream frosting and cupcakes separately if preparing ahead. Refrigerate frosting in a sealed container for up to 1 week, allowing easy decorating when ready to serve festive treats.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 11

Everything In Christmas Tree Cupcakes

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for classic cupcake texture.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light and airy rise, creating soft and fluffy cupcake interior.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the recipe.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, smooth base with creamy consistency and delicate flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cupcakes and helps achieve golden, tender crust.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to smooth, velvety texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth and classic bakery-style flavor profile.
• Milk: Moistens batter and helps create tender, soft cupcake crumb.

• Cupcake Liners: Prevents sticking and provides convenient serving and presentation.
• Toothpick: Essential tool for checking doneness by testing cake's interior.
• Wire Rack: Allows complete cooling and prevents soggy bottom on cupcakes.

Supplies You’ll Need For Christmas Tree Cupcakes

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing batter smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Muffin Tin: Holds cupcake liners and helps create uniform cupcakes.
• Cupcake Liners: Prevents sticking and makes serving easier.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cupcakes to cool evenly and quickly.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and preventing lumps.
• Toothpicks: Helps check if cupcakes are fully baked.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Decorating And Assembling Christmas Tree Cupcakes Made Simple

• Oven Preparation Holiday Warmth

Warm up your kitchen to cozy baking temperature, setting the stage for festive cupcake magic. Prepare your muffin tin with cheerful paper liners.

• Batter Blending

Whip together dry ingredients in one bowl, creating a fluffy foundation. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until dreamy and light, welcoming eggs one by one with gentle whisking. Splash in vanilla for extra happiness.

• Mixing Harmony

Slowly marry dry and wet ingredients, dancing between flour mixture and milk. Blend gently, avoiding overmixing to keep the cupcakes tender and soft.

• Cupcake Filling

Lovingly spoon batter into waiting liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Each cupcake will rise with festive cheer.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the tray into the oven, letting cupcakes bake until golden and perfect. A toothpick test will reveal their readiness. Allow cupcakes to cool completely, transforming into delightful holiday treats.

Creative Add-Ons For Christmas Tree Cupcakes

• Festive Frosting Tricks: Pipe green buttercream in triangle shapes using a star tip to create perfect tree silhouettes.
• Holiday Decoration Magic: Use white sprinkles or edible pearl sugar to mimic snow, giving cupcakes a winter wonderland effect.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cupcakes safe for gluten-sensitive guests.
• Flavor Twist: Infuse the cupcake batter with peppermint extract or add crushed candy canes to the frosting for a classic Christmas flavor profile.
• Vegan Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use plant-based milk to create a dairy-free and egg-free version of these festive treats.

Festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Festive christmas tree cupcakes bring winter holiday cheer to dessert tables across North America. Chocolate cake bases topped with green buttercream frosting create delightful edible trees you’ll enjoy decorating with sprinkle ornaments and candy star toppers.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (120 ml) milk
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsps milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Green food coloring
• Star-shaped sprinkles or candies
• Mini round sprinkles or nonpareils
• Edible glitter (optional)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and position cupcake liners in a muffin tin for uniform baking.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry base for the cupcake foundation.
3. Butter Transformation: Cream butter and sugar until achieving a light, voluminous consistency that appears silky and pale.
4. Liquid Infusion: Incorporate eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly, and introduce vanilla extract to elevate the flavor profile.
5. Batter Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk to create a smooth, well-integrated batter with a velvety texture.
6. Cupcake Molding: Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full, ensuring even distribution and optimal rising potential during the baking process.
7. Baking Ritual: Place muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, watching for a golden-brown exterior and verifying doneness with a toothpick insertion.
8. Cooling Phase: Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling to room temperature before embellishing or serving.

Notes

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for consistent texture and taste, especially with flour and baking powder.
• Control Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing batter to prevent tough, dense cupcakes; mix just until ingredients are combined for tender results.
• Monitor Oven Temperature: Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate 350F temperature, as slight variations can impact cupcake rise and texture.
• Check Moisture Balance: Test cupcake doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean with minimal crumbs for perfect moisture level.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 37 g
• Sodium: 170 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg