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Christmas cupcakes topped with candy melt trees are full of holiday cheer!! Everyone will love these simple tasty treats.
Christmas Tree Cupcakes!
Christmas cupcakes are a FAVORITE for sharing with friends and family, for parties and gifting – plus they are so easy to make. The decorations are created with pretzels and melting chocolate and only take about 10 minutes – and the finished product is SO adorable.
Honestly, who can resist cupcakes that are as cute as these? Make these easy treats for your next big gathering this holiday season, or just for fun. For more festive desserts, try our Christmas Cookies and Christmas Tree Brownies.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Super simple. From start to finish this Christmas dessert is ready to enjoy in about 30 minutes! And while they look so fancy, they are quite easy to whip up.
- Everyone can help! The kids LOVE to help make the candy melt trees.
- Have fun decorating. Add candy Christmas light sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or even pipe stars at the top!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 17 minutes
Trees
- 24 pretzel sticks
- ½ (12-ounce) bag dark green candy melts – melted according to package directions
- nonpareils – for sprinkling
Cupcakes
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box white cake mix – made according to package directions for cupcakes. Or make our Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe.
- ½ cup red, white, and green Jimmy sprinkles
Frosting and Decor
- 1 cup butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla – or use ½ teaspoon almond or peppermint extract
- pinch of salt
- ¼ cup half and half
- optional – Sprinkle clear sugar sprinkles to make the “snowy” frosting glitter.
How to make Christmas Cupcakes
- CHRISTMAS TREES. Line a pan with parchment paper and add 24-26 pretzel sticks.
- Melt 6-8 ounces of candy melts as directed on the package and drizzle in a tree figure over pretzel sticks. Sprinkle with nonpareils before the melt sets. Set aside.
- CUPCAKES. Make cupcakes as directed on the package and stir in ¼ cup Jimmy sprinkles to the batter. Scoop into cupcake liners.
- Bake in the oven according to the box, and then let cool.
- VANILLA BUTTERCREAM. While cupcakes are baking, make frosting. In a large bowl or stand mixer beat 1 cup butter until light and fluffy. Add 3 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, a pinch of salt, and about a ¼ cup half and half.
- Add additional half and half as needed to make a smooth frosting. Increase the speed to high and beat 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Pipe onto the cooled cupcakes and top with Christmas trees.
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Christmas Cupcakes
Ingredients
Trees
- 24 pretzel sticks
- ½ (12-ounce) bag dark green candy melts
- nonpareils, for sprinkling
Cupcakes
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box white cake mix, made according to package directions for cupcakes
- ½ cup Jimmy sprinkles, red, white, and green
Frosting and Decor
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch of salt
- ¼ cup half and half
Instructions
Christmas Trees
- Line a pan with parchment paper and add pretzel sticks. Melt 6-8 ounces of candy melts as directed and drizzle in a tree figure over pretzel sticks. Sprinkle with nonpareils before the melt sets. Set aside.
Cupcakes
- Make cupcakes as directed on the package, but before baking add ¼ cup Jimmy sprinkles to the batter. Scoop into cupcake liners.
- Bake cupcakes and let cool.
Frosting
- Beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and about a ¼ cup half and half. Add additional half and half as needed to make a smooth frosting. Increase the speed to high and beat 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Pipe onto the cooled cupcakes and top with Christmas trees.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Pretzel trees. Make 1-2 days ahead and carefully store in an airtight container.
Cupcakes. Make 1-2 days ahead and store in an airtight container, or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Frosting. Make 2-3 days ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge, or freeze it for 2-3 months. Stir it before using.
Cover and store the assembled cupcakes at room temperature for 3-5 days. If you don’t have a tall enough lid, remove the trees and store them separately.
I’m excited to make these Christmas cupcakes again for the holidays! They’re so cute and adorable, my fam loves them!
Thank you! I’m so glad the cupcakes are loved by your family!
These were such a fun activity for my older kids and they were so delicious too! Thanks!
These cupcakes are easy and delicious! They totally put me in a festive mood!
Just made these for a holiday boat party tomorrow. They really are so cute.
These cupcakes are so cute and festive! They’re perfect for any Christmas party!
These cupcakes are SO easy and cute!! I love to make the tree cupcake toppers with the kids.
These Christmas cupcakes are SO festive and fun. The decoration is so cute, but actually not hard to make! The kids love them!
These are so fun and so festive! Love how easy it is to make the Christmas tree toppers!
I love the candy melt 3-D Christmas Trees on these cupcakes! Can’t wait to try these for my son’s class Christmas party!