1. Make the cupcakes:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
2. Prepare the frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add the milk and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Adjust the consistency with more milk if needed.
- Add green food coloring a few drops at a time until you achieve the desired shade of green.
3. Decorate the cupcakes:
- Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- Starting at the center of each cupcake, pipe a swirl of frosting upwards to form a tree shape.
- Decorate the frosting trees with sprinkles for ornaments and place a star-shaped sprinkle or candy on top as the tree topper. Sprinkle with edible glitter for a snowy effect if desired.
4. Serve and enjoy:
- Display the cupcakes on a festive platter and serve at your holiday gathering.