Make these whimsical melted Snowman Cupcakes for a super cute treat for a Christmas party. With a few easy toppings, plain cupcakes are transformed into melting snowmen that kids will love.
These snowmen cupcakes will be a hit. They are so adorable and a blast to make. You will love how simple the entire recipe is.
Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies Recipe and Melted Snowman Bark also make great snowman themed treats.
What's in this post: Snowman Cupcakes Recipe
Why you will love this recipe:
- It uses a cake mix. It calls for a basic cake mix for the cupcakes.
- Easy step by step instructions. The simple instructions make it easy to make melted snowmen.
- Absolutely adorable. From the marshmallow head to candy buttons and pretzel arms, it is easy but so cute.
Ingredients:
FOR THE CUPCAKES:
- White Cake Mix
- Pretzel Sticks
- Large Marshmallows
- Mini M&Ms
- Black Decorating Gel
- Orange Decorating Gel
BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:
- Unsalted Butter
- Powdered Sugar
- Milk
Variations
- Vanilla frosting. You can use a premade white frosting if you prefer.
- Buttons. You can use mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, smarties or other small candy for the buttons.
- Arms. Instead of pretzels, use black icing to draw arms beside the marshmallow head.
- Cake Mix. You can use chocolate cake mix if you prefer. However, white cake mix will create more of the look of melted snow. If you use chocolate, try to cover it all in frosting.
- Edible pen. Another idea is to use an edible pen to draw the face on the marshmallow.
- Scarf. Add a scarf on the snowman with Twizzlers pull and peel candy.
How to make snowman cupcakes:
- Step 1. Make the cupcakes. Prepare the cupcakes based on the package instructions in a medium bowl. Pour into a muffin tin with cupcake liners or silicone liners and bake in the oven. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating the cupcakes.
Step 2. While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting mixture. Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until combined and smooth. Then add in the milk and vanilla extract and mix until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Step 3. Pipe the frosting onto each of the cupcakes. Immediately add the marshmallows onto each cupcake toward the back of the cupcakes.
Step 4. Then add the mini M&Ms in the front to resemble the buttons on a snowman. Stick 2 pretzel sticks on either side of the marshmallow into the cupcake for the arms of the snowman.
Step 5. Use the black icing and orange decorating gel to add on the snowman faces onto the marshmallow. Let dry and serve.
Pro Tips
- If you do not have any piping bags, you can use a ziplock bag. Just cut off the corner and pipe the icing on each cupcake.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.
- These are best served fresh and not prepared too much in advance. The candy will bleed into the icing and the topping will lose shape overtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
With only 4 ingredients, it is so easy to make homemade buttercream frosting. Just start by combining the room temperature butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer.
You want it to be smooth and creamy. Anyone can make homemade frosting. It is much better than store bought.
Learn how to make buttercream icing and see how easy it is.
We used orange decorating gel, but you can also use orange fondant. Just shape into a carrot nose and press into the marshmallow.
You could also try using an orange tic tac. Just make sure it is inserted enough into the marshmallow that it will not fall off.
Another idea is to make orange icing. Place a dot of it on each marshmallow for the nose.
Feel free to choose the option that is easiest for you. Any of these would make great options for a nose.
Store the leftover cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Be careful during storage so they stay intact.
I do not recommend freezing the decorated cupcakes. Instread, place the plain cupcakes in the freezer and thaw when ready to decorate.
More Snowman desserts:
I think you will have a blast making these cupcakes. Please leave a star recipe rating once you do!
Snowman Cupcakes
Ingredients
FOR THE CUPCAKES:
- 1 pkg White Cake Mix
- *Ingredients to prepare the cupcakes based on the package instructions
- 48 Pretzel Sticks
- 24 Large Marshmallows
- 1 cup Mini M&Ms
- Black Decorating Gel
- Orange Decorating Gel
FOR THE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:
- 3/4 cup Unsalted Butter softened
- 2 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Milk
- 1 tsp Clear Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Prepare the cupcakes based on the package instructions and allow them to cool completely before decorating the cupcakes.
- While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until combined and smooth. Then add in the milk and vanilla extract and mix for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Pipe the frosting onto each of the cupcakes.
- Immediately add the marshmallows onto each cupcake toward the back of the cupcakes. Then add the mini M&Ms in the front to resemble the buttons on a snowman. Stick 2 pretzel sticks on either side of the marshmallow into the cupcake for the arms of the snowman.
- Use the black and orange decorating gel to add on the face onto the marshmallow.
- Let the decorating gel completely and then the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!
