Christmas Cupcakes Recipe

5 from 14 votes

Christmas Cupcakes Recipe

Christmas Cupcakes are festive sprinkle-filled cupcakes with fluffy vanilla frosting and cute candy melt Christmas trees on top.

Prep Time15

Cook Time17

Total Time32

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: cupcakes

Author: Kristyn Merkley

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

Recipe Tips.

Let the candy trees set completely before adding them to the cupcakes so they do not bend or break.
Add the sprinkles to the cake batter right before baking and stir gently so the colors do not bleed too much.
Cool the cupcakes completely before frosting so the frosting stays fluffy.
Beat the frosting for 3 to 5 minutes to make it light and smooth for piping.
Make-ahead tip: make the candy trees and bake the cupcakes a day ahead, then frost and decorate before serving.

Make ahead of time. 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.

Store. 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.

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