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If you’re looking for a festive treat that brings smiles and whimsy to any holiday gathering, this Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe is just the ticket. These delightful cupcakes combine moist, rich chocolate cake with a luscious, vibrant green frosting shaped into charming mini Christmas trees, all adorned with sparkling star sprinkles and colorful pearls. Perfect for spreading cheer while satisfying your sweet tooth, this recipe is simple enough for bakers of any level but delivers a show-stopping dessert that will light up your holiday table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating irresistible Christmas Tree Cupcakes doesn’t require a long list of ingredients, but every single one plays a crucial role in building the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive color. From buttery frosting to moist chocolate cake, these essentials come together beautifully.
- 1 box chocolate cake mix: The base of our cupcakes, chosen for its consistent moisture and chocolatey richness, makes life easier and baking fun.
- ½ cup vegetable oil: Keeps your cupcakes tender and adds just the right amount of moisture to the batter.
- 3 eggs: The binding agent that gives the cupcakes structure and lightness.
- 1 cup water: Necessary to mix with the cake mix, helping to activate it properly.
- 2 cups butter (softened to room temperature): Essential for a creamy, smooth frosting that whips up fluffy and spreadable.
- 10 cups powdered sugar: For sweetness and that perfectly thick frosting consistency.
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the frosting’s flavor.
- 10 tablespoons heavy cream: Balances the sweetness and creates a silky texture in your frosting.
- Pinch of salt: Just a tiny touch to enhance all the flavors perfectly.
- Green gel food coloring: This gives your frosting that vibrant evergreen tree hue, making the cupcakes totally festive.
- Star sprinkles: To top off your trees with a shining star, making each cupcake a miniature holiday masterpiece.
- Christmas pearls/sprinkles: A fun way to add colorful “ornaments” and festive flair to your cupcake trees.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe
Step 1: Get Ready
Preheat your oven to 325°F and line your cupcake pan with festive liners. Starting with a prepared pan and warm oven ensures even baking and smooth workflow.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
Combine the vegetable oil, eggs, and water in a large bowl or your stand mixer. Slowly add the chocolate cake mix, whipping everything until it’s just combined and smooth. This silky batter will bake into moist, chocolaty cupcakes that form the perfect base for your Christmas trees.
Step 3: Fill the Liners
Use a ¼ cup measuring cup or an ice cream scoop to evenly portion the batter into cupcake liners. Even amounts mean even baking and pretty cupcakes. Filling them about two-thirds full leaves just enough room for the cakes to rise beautifully.
Step 4: Bake the Cupcakes
Place your pan on the middle oven rack and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Baking on the same rack keeps the cupcakes even and perfectly tender.
Step 5: Cool Completely
Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool fully. Frosting on warm cupcakes can melt and lose its shape, so patience here is key!
Step 6: Whip the Frosting
Beat your softened butter on medium-high speed until it’s light and fluffy, then gradually add powdered sugar and heavy cream alternately, mixing to a perfect creamy frost. Stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt to elevate the flavor, then add green gel food coloring until you achieve that perfect Christmas tree green.
Step 7: Frost Your Cupcakes
Using a piping bag fitted with a 1M tip, pipe the frosting onto your cooled cupcakes. Move the tip in circular, upward motions to build your frosting into charming, layered “trees” that stand tall and proud.
Step 8: Decorate with Sprinkles
Top each cupcake tree with a star sprinkle and scatter Christmas pearls or other festive sprinkles like tiny ornaments. This fun decoration step transforms simple cupcakes into dazzling holiday treats that everyone will adore.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes is where your cupcakes really come to life visually and flavor-wise. Star sprinkles on top act like shining tree toppers while colorful Christmas pearls mimic real ornaments, creating a festive presentation that’s both addictive and charming. You can also add edible glitter for a little extra sparkle.
Side Dishes
These cupcakes pair wonderfully with classic holiday drinks like hot cocoa, spiced cider, or even a rich eggnog. For savory balance, consider serving alongside cheesy appetizers or a light salad to round out the experience without overwhelming your sweet treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Display your Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe on a tiered cake stand to mimic a forest of frosting firs or arrange them around a larger holiday centerpiece. Wrapping cupcake liners with festive ribbon or placing each cupcake in a small decorative box makes them perfect for gifting or party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep them fresh and moist. If your kitchen is warm, refrigeration is fine but bring them back to room temperature before serving to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Freezing
Christmas Tree Cupcakes freeze beautifully if you want to prep ahead. Place unfrosted cupcakes in a single layer in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Once thawed, frost and decorate as usual to maintain that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste and look.
Reheating
For the best taste when serving leftover cupcakes, warm them slightly in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Avoid overheating as it can melt the frosting. Reheating helps wake up the chocolate flavors and soften the cake for a fresh-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes dairy-free?
You can definitely adapt this Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe by using dairy-free butter and non-dairy milk or cream substitutes in the frosting and batter. Just make sure your cake mix is also dairy-free for the best results.
What if I don’t have green gel food coloring?
While gel colors provide the most vivid, bright green for your tree frosting, you can use liquid food coloring too. Just add it gradually and keep in mind gel tends to give a richer shade without thinning the frosting.
Can I use homemade chocolate cake instead of box mix?
Absolutely! A homemade chocolate cake recipe will work beautifully if you prefer, making your cupcakes even more personalized. Just be sure it yields a similarly moist and tender cake for the best frosting structure.
How do I get the frosting shaped like a Christmas tree?
Use a piping bag with a 1M tip and start piping from the base of the cupcake upward, moving in a small circular motion and building layers. This technique creates the look of branches and height like a real tree.
Are these cupcakes suitable for kids to make with adult help?
Definitely yes! Kids love this Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe because decorating is hands-on and festive. With some adult supervision for baking and piping, this recipe makes a wonderful holiday activity for the whole family.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a joyful celebration of holiday spirit and baking fun. Whether you’re bringing them to a party, gifting them to loved ones, or simply enjoying in your own kitchen, these cupcakes are guaranteed to brighten up the season. I can’t wait for you to try it out and create your own batch of festive magic!
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Print
Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes. Moist chocolate cupcakes are topped with rich, creamy green buttercream frosting piped to resemble a Christmas tree, then decorated with star sprinkles and colorful Christmas pearls for a delightful and visually stunning holiday treat.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (Betty Crocker recommended)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup water
Frosting Ingredients
- 2 cups butter, softened to room temperature
- 10 cups powdered sugar
- 10 tbsp heavy cream, divided
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Green gel food coloring, to desired shade
Decorations
- Star sprinkles
- Christmas pearls/sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line your cupcake pan with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix Batter: In a bowl or stand mixer, combine the vegetable oil, eggs, and water. Mix well. Then gradually add the boxed chocolate cake mix and blend until smooth.
- Fill Liners: Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop the batter evenly into each cupcake liner, filling about 2/3 full to allow room for rising.
- Bake Cupcakes: Place cupcakes on the same oven rack and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, ensuring even baking.
- Cool Cupcakes: Remove cupcakes from the oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer them to a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: In a stand mixer, beat softened butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, alternating with heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time. Mix in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Add green gel food coloring incrementally until the desired shade of green is achieved.
- Pipe Frosting: Fit a piping bag with a 1M tip and fill with the green buttercream. Starting at the outer edge of the cupcake, pipe the frosting in a circular, swirling upward motion to create a Christmas tree shape.
- Decorate: Top each cupcake with a star sprinkle at the tip of the frosting tree. Add Christmas pearls and other festive sprinkles to decorate the ‘branches’ and complete the holiday look.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant green without thinning the frosting.
- You can prepare cupcakes a day ahead and store them in an airtight container.
- For added flavor, consider adding 1 tsp espresso powder to the batter to enhance chocolate taste.
