Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Festive, moist Christmas Tree Cupcakes topped with beautifully piped green buttercream Christmas trees. Beginner-friendly, make-ahead friendly, and always a crowd favorite during the holidays.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Christmas chocolate cupcakes, Christmas Cupcake Decorations, Christmas cupcakes, Christmas cupcakes designs, Christmas tree cake, Christmas Tree Cupcakes, Christmas Tree Cupcakes Little Debbie

Prep Time: 25

Cook Time: 18

Cooling Time: 45

Total Time: 1 28

Servings: cupcakes

Calories: 370kcal

Cost: $12

Equipment

1 12-cup muffin tin (Standard size)
12 Cupcake liners (Festive holiday patterns)
2 Mixing bowls (Large)
1 Hand mixer or stand mixer (For batter & frosting)
1 Rubber spatula (For folding)
1 Measuring cup & spoon set

Ingredients

Cupcakes

1 ½ cups All-purpose flour - Sifted
1 cup Granulated sugar
½ cup Unsalted butter - Softened
2 large Eggs - Room temperature
2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
½ cup Whole milk - Room temperature
1 ½ teaspoon Baking powder
¼ teaspoon Fine salt

Green Buttercream

1 cup Unsalted butter - Room temperature
3–4 cups Powdered sugar - Sifted
2–3 tablespoon Heavy cream - As needed for consistency
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring - Add drop by drop
1 pinch Salt - Balances sweetness
⅛ teaspoon Almond extract - Optional “secret ingredient”

Decorations

Rainbow sprinkles - Christmas-style colors
Mini candy stars - For tree toppers
Edible pearls - Or small dragees
Gold sugar dust - Optional sparkle
Holiday cupcake toppers - Optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, folding gently.
Fill liners ⅔ full. Bake 18–20 minutes without opening the oven early. Test doneness with a toothpick. Cool 5 minutes, then move cupcakes to a rack to cool completely.
Beat butter for 3 minutes. Add powdered sugar gradually. Mix in heavy cream and vanilla. Tint with green gel food coloring until desired shade is reached. Add almond extract if using.
Add frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe a spiral from the base upward to form a Christmas tree shape, finishing with a pointed peak.
Add sprinkles, edible pearls, and a candy star topper while frosting is soft. Dust with edible glitter if desired. Chill briefly to set.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes

Nutrition