Transform a batch of cupcakes into a festive Christmas Tree Cupcake Cake. It’s easy to decorate, fun to serve and sure to be a hit.
Holiday Baking is so much fun and you definitely want to make this Christmas Tree Cupcake Cake. It’s one of my favorite Easy Christmas Dessert Recipes. The kids love to help turn a basic cupcake recipe into a Christmas Tree!
It’s incredibly easy but perfect for any holiday celebration. For more fun Christmas tree themed desserts, try Meringue Christmas Trees and Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies Recipe.
Table of contents
Why We Love This
It’s the perfect dessert when you want something festive and cute but without tons of work. It looks really elaborate but is simple to make.
The recipe is easy to adapt to any color and embellishments you want. We have so much with the decorating process.
Ingredients
- Vanilla cupcakes. Prepared and cooled. We used vanilla but you can use any flavor you want.
- Butter or Margarine. I prefer butter but you can use the one you prefer. Just make sure it is softened.
- Clear vanilla extract. Clear vanilla doesn’t alter the color of the frosting.
- Confectioners’ sugar. Sifted to remove any lumps so the frosting will be smooth.
- Milk. Use the type of milk you prefer.
- Green gel food coloring. Gel food coloring is the most vibrant.
- Cocoa powder. I like Hershey’s cocoa powder.
- Sprinkles. Any festive sprinkles will work great.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for the complete ingredients list.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Go ahead and make the cupcakes. You can use any type you like. You will need at least 24 cupcakes, and they need to cool completely on the cooling rack.
Step 2. Make the frosting. I like to use the stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Whip the butter and vegetable shortening until fluffy. It will take about 5-7 minutes. Scrape down the bowl occasionally as you beat the butter.
Step 3. Next, add the powdered sugar and mix on low speed. The mixture should be combined thoroughly into the butter. Then add the vanilla and combine.
Step 4. Next, add an additional 2 cups of powdered sugar. Beat on low speed until combined. Then increase the speed to medium speed for 3 minutes. Then add the last cup of powdered sugar and milk.
Step 5. Take about ¼ cup of the finished frosting and place in a separate bowl. Mix in 2-3 teaspoons cocoa powder until combined. You may need to add 1 teaspoon milk to help blend the cocoa powder.
Step 6. Dye the rest of the frosting green.
Step 7. Arrange the cupcakes in the shape of a tree. Place 2 cupcakes for the trunk at the bottom.
Step 8. Place a dollop of green buttercream frosting on each cupcake except the ones for the trunk.
Step 9. Spread the green frosting evenly across the cupcakes to make it look like one cake. I like to use an angled spatula to spread the icing.
Step 10. Spread brown frosting on the remaining bottom cupcakes. Use a fork to create downward strokes to create a rough texture similar to a tree stump.
Step 11. Now, it’s time to pipe starts on the cake. Add the remaining green frosting into a piping bag. Use a large star tip and pipe large stars over the cupcakes. You don’t want any gaps, so it looks like one big cake.
Step 12. Finally, top with Christmas sprinkles to look like ornaments on the tree. Allow your guests to pull apart the cupcakes to enjoy.
Storage
Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Expert Tips
- Gel food coloring. Gel is best because it does not thin out the frosting. I also think the color is prettier.
- Assemble the tree first. I recommend arranging the cupcakes in the tree shape prior to icing them. It makes it easier to decorate.
- Divide the icing. This is optional but you may want to fill the piping bag only half full. The warmth from your hands will warm the frosting. Due to this, I like to divide it.
- Room temperature ingredients. The icing is easier to make if the butter is room temperature. It will be easier to combine and have a smoother consistency.
- Adding the sprinkles. Try using tweezers to carefully arrange the sprinkles on the cake.
- Cupcake Liners. Use festive Christmas liners to make the Christmas Tree Cupcakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is larger than a cake carrier. You will have to get creative if you need to transport this to holiday parties. Even cake boards are not this large.
I suggest using cardboard and covering in foil or Christmas wrapping paper. Then loosely and carefully cover in plastic wrap.
You can make the frosting and cupcakes in advance. However, I do not suggest assembling until you are ready to serve.
The frosting can be frozen up to 2 months and refrigerated up to 7 days. I would wait to add the food coloring until you are ready to use it because it will darken as it sits. You may also need to beat the icing to make it fluffy again.
The cupcakes can be frozen after they cool completely up to 2 months. Remove from the freezer and allow to thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to use.
Yes! The ideas are endless for types of cupcakes. You can use boxed mix or a homemade cupcake.
I also love to use Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe, Green Velvet Cupcakes and Chocolate Cupcakes for more Christmas cupcakes.
More Festive Desserts
Cute Christmas Desserts
Christmas Dirt Cups
Cute Christmas Desserts
Christmas Tree Brownies
Cute Christmas Desserts
Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
It’s your turn to make this festive Cupcake Christmas Tree. Once you make it, leave a comment and star rating. I love hearing your feedback on recipes!
Christmas Tree Cupcake Cake
Ingredients
- 24 vanilla cupcakes (cooked)
- Sprinkles
For the Frosting:
- 3/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
- 3/4 cup 1 stick butter or margarine softened
- 2 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
- 6 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Green gel food coloring
- 2-3 teaspoons cocoa powder
Instructions
- Prepare a batch of at least 24 cupcakes and cool completely.
For the Frosting:
- Using the paddle attachment, whip the butter and vegetable shortening for 5-7 minutes, scraping down the bowl occasionally, beating until the butter is very fluffy.
- Add 3 cups of powdered sugar and mix on low speed until incorporated into the butter then add the vanilla extract and mix to combine. Beat for about 60 seconds.
- Next, add an additional 2 cups of powdered sugar and beat on low speed until sugar is incorporated. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 3 minutes.
- Add the last 1 cup powdered sugar along with milk.
- Beat on low until the ingredients start to mix together.
- Increase speed to medium-high and beat for another 3-5 minutes to whip additional air into the frosting.
- Color the frosting. Separate out ¼ cup of the finished frosting. Mix in 2-3 teaspoons cocoa powder until well combined. You may need to add 1 teaspoon milk to help incorporate the cocoa powder.
- Dye the rest of your remaining frosting green.
Assemble the Christmas Tree:
- Set up your cupcakes in the shape of a tree with 2 cupcakes for the trunk. For the cupcakes you’ll be frosting with green frosting, place a small dollop of frosting on each cupcake and spread evenly with an angled spatula spreading the icing across all the cupcakes to make them look like one cake.
- For the bottom two cupcakes, spread the brown frosting evenly across. Then use a fork to create downward strokes to create a rough texture to give the look of tree trunks.
- Place the remaining green frosting into a piping bag. Using a large star tip, pipe large stars over all of the cupcakes making sure to fill in all the holes.
- In the end the frosting should cover the tree entirely looking like a cake.
- Top with Christmas Sprinkles to look like ornaments.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Allow your guests to pull apart the cupcakes to enjoy.
Nutrition Facts
Pin This Now to Remember It Later
This is so cute. It is easy and turned out great!