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Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 64 reviews

Delight in the festive spirit with these Christmas Tree Cupcakes, featuring moist chocolate cupcakes topped with fluffy green buttercream frosting piped into charming Christmas tree shapes and adorned with star and pearl sprinkles for a joyful holiday treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cupcakes

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix (Betty Crocker brand recommended)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup water

Frosting

  • 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

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
  2. Prepare Batter: In a mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the vegetable oil, eggs, and water. Mix thoroughly until blended. Then add the boxed chocolate cake mix and continue mixing until smooth.
  3. Fill Cupcake Liners: Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, scoop the batter evenly into the prepared cupcake liners, filling them about two-thirds full.
  4. Bake Cupcakes: Place the cupcakes on a single oven rack to ensure even baking and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. Cool Cupcakes: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
  6. Make Frosting: In a stand mixer, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, alternating with the heavy cream one tablespoon at a time. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, and beat until fully combined and smooth. Mix in green gel food coloring, adjusting until the desired green shade is achieved.
  7. Pipe Frosting: Fit a piping bag with a 1M tip and fill it with the green frosting. Starting at the outer edge of each cupcake, pipe the frosting in a circular motion building upward to form a Christmas tree shape.
  8. Decorate Cupcakes: Place a star sprinkle at the top of each frosting tree and decorate the sides with Christmas pearls and other sprinkles to resemble ornaments on the tree.

Notes

  • Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
  • Feel free to adjust green gel food coloring to your preferred tree color intensity.
  • If you want a richer chocolate flavor, consider adding 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the batter.
  • Use a toothpick to check cupcake doneness to avoid over-baking and dryness.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives.

Keywords: Christmas cupcakes, holiday dessert, chocolate cupcakes, festive frosting, buttercream Christmas tree

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/christmas-tree-cupcakes-recipe/