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Festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Alyssa

Festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Celebrate with festive Christmas tree cupcakes—fun, colorful, and perfect for holiday gatherings. A sweet treat to spread holiday cheer.
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Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Vanilla or Chocolate Cake Mix: 1 box 15.25 oz - This forms the base of the cupcakes, providing either a sweet vanilla or rich chocolate flavor. When selecting a cake mix, choose a high-quality brand for the best taste and texture.
  • Large Eggs: 3 - Eggs help bind the ingredients together and provide moisture resulting in a light and airy texture.
  • Vegetable Oil: 1/2 cup - This adds richness and moisture to the cupcakes keeping them soft and tender.
  • Water: 1 cup - Water is essential for hydrating the dry ingredients in the cake mix ensuring an even, fluffy batter.
  • Unsalted Butter: 1 cup 2 sticks - Used for the frosting, butter contributes creaminess and a rich, velvety texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: 4 cups - This sweetener gives the frosting its smooth and fluffy consistency while adding sweetness.
  • Heavy Cream: 1/4 cup - Heavy cream enriches the frosting making it light and easy to pipe.
  • Vanilla Extract: 1 tsp - This flavoring adds depth and enhances the overall taste of the frosting.
  • Green Food Coloring: For enhancing the frosting color making it resemble lush evergreen Christmas trees.
  • Mini Chocolate Chips or Candy: For ornaments - These edible decorations create a festive look and add playful sweetness.
  • Red and Green Sprinkles: For added color and fun—this decoration elevates the festive spirit!
  • Mini Star-Shaped Candies: For tree-toppers – These add a delightful final touch to your tree decorations.
  • Pretzel Sticks: for trunks – These provide a crunchy contrast and create a realistic tree shape.

Method
 

  1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 box of vanilla or chocolate cake mix with 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, and 1 cup of water. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the batter is smooth.
  3. Fill the Muffin Tin: Carefully pour the batter into the lined muffin tin, filling each liner about 2/3 full. This allows enough room for the cupcakes to rise without overflowing.
  4. Bake the Cupcakes: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove from the oven and let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.
  5. Prepare the Frosting: While the cupcakes cool, make the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add in 4 cups of powdered sugar while mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud. Next, pour in 1/4 cup of heavy cream, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, and a few drops of green food coloring. Beat until the mixture is fluffy and well-combined.
  6. Pipe the Frosting: After the cupcakes have cooled completely, use a piping bag to pipe the green frosting onto each cupcake to create the shape of a Christmas tree. Start from the bottom in a circular motion and work your way up to create layers for the tree.
  7. Add Decor: Decorate your frosted cupcakes with mini chocolate chips or candy as ornaments and sprinkle red and green sprinkles generously over the frosting. Top each tree with a mini star-shaped candy for a finishing touch.
  8. Create the Trunk: Insert a pretzel stick into the base of each cupcake to represent the trunk of the tree, adding a fun crunch to every bite.