My scratch-made chocolate cupcake recipe is the perfect base cupcake recipe for these delightful, festive Christmas tree cupcakes! The cupcakes have a rich, dark, fudgy flavor that pairs so well with my sweet and simple buttercream frosting.
Christmas Cupcakes
It is officially time for holiday baking, and while there are plenty of recipes for Christmas cookies, Christmas cakes, and Christmas pies, you need to add these Christmas cupcakes to your list this year! Cupcakes with a big swirl of green frosting will be the kids’ favorite treat this year, and the adults will love them too. Who doesn’t love a good cupcake? When the snow is falling, the family gathered, and presents are under the tree, all you need are these rich and moist chocolate cupcakes, frosted with the creamiest festive frosting and decorated with beautiful sugar pearls. I’ll even show you how to make tiny gift packages from pre-colored fondant!
Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe Highlights
SO FUN! These, along with my Snowman Cupcakes, are super fun to make with the kids for Christmas. The cupcake batter is easy to mix up, and the decorations are even easier. Let your kids decorate their own frosting trees with fancy sprinkles and see how creative they can be. Simple Cupcake Recipe – I use this specific chocolate cupcake recipe all the time because I’ve perfected it! Check it out in my Polar Bear Cupcakes, Turkey Cupcakes, and Halloween Dirt Cupcakes if you want some different theme ideas. This recipe uses a slightly altered recipe with fewer ingredients than the original because the frosting and decorations add a ton of sweetness! Easy Decoration: Make big, tall swirls of buttercream frosting on top of each Christmas cupcake to make a Christmas tree. To make yours look just like mine, pick up a Wilton #27 star tip to go with your piping bag.
Key Ingredients
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Dry Ingredients: All purpose flour, unsweetend cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and white sugar. Wet Ingredients: Large eggs at room temperature, vegetable or canola oil, vanilla extract, and milk. For the Frosting: Vanilla Buttercream is simple to make and pipes wonderfully. My white chocolate buttercream frosting would be delicious too. Decorations: Sugar pearls in various colors and sizes make wonderful mini tree ornaments! To make little packages and star toppers, pick up some colored fondant, , and black writing icing. These items can be found easily at most craft stores or big box stores during the holidays. Special Tool: If you want to cut out stars from fondant to top each tree, pick up a Star Fondant Press!
How to Make Easy Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Start by preheating the oven to 325°F/160°C and line a cupcake/muffin tin with paper liners.
Chocolate Cupcake Recipe Tips
Let the cupcakes cool down completely before decorating. If you try to add buttercream to warm cakes, it will melt! Vanilla Frosting: If you think the frosting tastes a bit to sweet, you can always add a pinch of salt. If it’s too stiff, mix in a bit more milk. If it’s too thin, mix in more powdered sugar! Cupcake Liners: While you can use any liners you like, I found these fun Christmas Striped Cupcake Liners, and I think they’re absolutely perfect! They come in a huge pack, so you’ll be able to make as many holiday cupcakes as you want. Decorations: The gold stars and little red packages are adorable, but totally optional if you would rather not play with fondant.
Cupcake Storing Tips
If you’re making them ahead of time, it’s easier to store unfrosted cupcakes than frosted ones. At Room Temperature: Unfrosted cupcakes can be stored for up to 1 week in a sealed container. In the Fridge: This is the better choice for storing frosted cupcakes. In an airtight container, they will stay fresh for up to 5 days. In the Freezer: Unfrosted Christmas cupcakes can be stored in the freezer and will keep well for up to 2 months. You can store the buttercream separately in the freezer as well. Allow both to thaw in the fridge overnight, then whip the frosting again and decorate.
Where can I find pre-colored fondant?
Most craft stores like Hobby Lobby, Joann, and Michaels have a whole aisle of cake decorating supplies, including icings, fondant, food coloring, and sprinkles. You should be able to find everything you need to make these fun Christmas cupcakes there!
What is the best piping tip for Christmas tree cupcakes?
Any large open star tip should work! I am using a Wilton #27 to make these trees. Pipe the frosting in a circular swirl, getting smaller at the top.
How do I make cupcakes with extra-tall Christmas Trees?
Instead of making the trees from just buttercream, you can use ice cream cones to create a hollow base. Pipe the frosting onto the cones to make the trees, and decorate however you like. © Little Sunny Kitchen
