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–+ servings
Homemade Christmas tree cupcakes topped with green buttercream trees, red and white candy ornaments, and gold star toppers.

Christmas Tree Cupcakes

5 from 1 vote
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.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Cooling Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 28 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 370
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

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

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

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Add sprinkles, edible pearls, and a candy star topper while frosting is soft. Dust with edible glitter if desired. Chill briefly to set.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupcake (~85–90 g)Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 3gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 140mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 700IUCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg

Notes

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

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