Christmas tree cupcakes start with a box mix and get transformed into festive treats. These whimsical cupcakes are easy to decorate with step by step instructions.
Also try Santa Hat Cupcakes.
Ingredients
FOR THE CUPCAKES:
- Chocolate Cake Mix. Plus the ingredients to prepare the cake mix based on the package instructions
- Red Cupcake Liners
THE ICING:
- Solid Vegetable Shortening
- Butter, softened at room temperature
- Clear Vanilla Extract
- Confectioners’ Sugar (sifted)
- Milk
- Green Gel Food Coloring
FOR THE DECORATIONS:
- Yellow Sugar Stars (for topping)
- Candy Balls (for the ornaments)
How to make Christmas tree cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350. Make the chocolate cake mix based on the cupcake instructions using the red cupcake liners. You can use a toothpick inserted that comes out clean to ensure they are fully cooked. After baking, allow the cupcakes to cool completely at room temperature.
- Make the icing. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and butter until combined and smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar. Then slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar (1 cup at a time) on low speed until well combined.
- Then stir in the vanilla extract and milk until combined. Then add a few drops of the green food coloring until the frosting is a bright green color similar to a Christmas tree.
How do you pipe a Christmas tree on a cupcake?
- Use a piping bag fitted with a 1M piping tip. Fill it with the green frosting.
- Gently frost each cupcake. You want to slowly build up the frosting on top of the cupcake using a circular motion to resemble a Tree shape on top of the cupcake.
- Top with a star. Then place a star on the top of each cupcake and use the candy balls to decorate the cupcakes to resemble ornaments. It is easy to do this with star shaped candy or sprinkles.
- Serve and enjoy. Then the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!
Piping tips:
- Use a circular motion to gradually add icing to form a tree shape on the cupcakes.
- Make sure the icing ingredients are softened to room temperature. This will make it easier to pipe.
- Green gel food coloring is best. I do not recommend using liquid. It will thin out the icing and make it difficult to pipe into a tree.
- Place the icing in two separate piping bags. The heat from your hands will cause it to soften. This will help to prevent all of it from getting to soft.
Decorating ideas:
- Sprinkles. You can embellish the cupcakes with any type of sprinkles that you like.
- Cupcake Liners. We used red but a pretty plaid in Christmas colors would be cute too.
- Star. You can use candy stars or just top with a bunch of gold sprinkles. Either would be cute.
Make sure to add the decorations immediately after you frosting the cupcakes as they will not stick if the frosting has already fully set.
How to store:
Store the leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
If you live in a warm climate, they may need to be refrigerated. Just make sure to give them time to sit at room temperature before serving.
Cupcake flavor variations:
- Red Velvet
- Vanilla or White Cake Mix
- German Chocolate
You can use any type of cake mix that you prefer in this recipe. This is such an easy Christmas tree cupcake recipe. I tend to use what we have in the pantry.
Feel free to use what your family loves the most.
Can you make frosting in advance?
Yes, the cupcake icing can be made in advance up to 24 hours. Place in fridge and then add the food coloring when ready to use.
The frosting may need to be beat with a mixer for a minute to make it fluffy again and easier to work with.
This is such an easy dessert to make.
These darling cupcakes look like you snagged them from the bakery. However, they are actually very simple to make at home.
The step by step instructions make it very easy for anyone to make. I don’t consider myself a baker so anyone can make these.
Not only do they look gorgeous but they taste great. The homemade icing really completes the treat. It is so yummy.
Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Ingredients
FOR THE CUPCAKES:
- 1 Chocolate Cake Mix
- *Plus the ingredients to prepare the cake mix based on the package instructions
- Red Cupcake Liners
FOR THE ICING:
- 1/2 cup Solid Vegetable Shortening
- 1/2 cup Butter softened at room temperature
- 1 tsp Clear Vanilla Extract
- 4 cups Confectioners’ Sugar shifted
- 2 Tbsp Milk
- Green Gel Food Coloring
FOR THE DECORATIONS:
- Yellow Sugar Stars for topping
- Candy Balls for the ornaments
Instructions
- Preheat the chocolate cake mix based on the cupcake instructions using the red cupcake liners and all the cupcakes to cool completely at room temperature.
- In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and butter until combined and smooth.
- Then slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar (1 cup at a time) on low speed until well combined.
- Then stir in the vanilla extract and milk until combined. Then add a few drops of the green food coloring until the frosting is a bright green color similar to a Christmas tree.
- Then use a 1M piping tip and a decorator’s bag, fill it with the green frosting.
- Gently frosting each cupcake. You want to slowly build up the frosting on top of the cupcake using a circular motion to resemble a Tree sitting on top of the cupcake.
- Then place a star on the top of each cupcake and use the candy balls to decorate the cupcakes to resemble ornaments.
- Then the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
