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Christmas Tree Cupcakes

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These festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes are a delightful holiday treat! Moist cupcakes are topped with vibrant green frosting swirled into tree shapes and decorated with sprinkles to resemble ornaments. Perfect for holiday parties and family baking fun.

Ingredients

Scale

For the cupcakes:

  • 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Green food coloring

For decoration:

  • Star-shaped sprinkles or candies (for tree toppers)
  • Mini round sprinkles or nonpareils (for ornaments)
  • Edible glitter (optional, for a snowy effect)

Instructions

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.

Notes

  • For chocolate cupcakes, substitute 1/4 cup of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Use sugar cones as a base for taller trees; frost and decorate the cones before placing them on the cupcakes.