Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe
These festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes combine rich chocolate cake with a smooth, creamy frosting, decorated to resemble miniature Christmas trees. Perfect for holiday gatherings, their moist texture and decorative green-tinted frosting topped with golden stars and holiday sprinkles make them a delightful treat for the season.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 4 eggs
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp espresso powder (optional)
Frosting
- 2 cups butter (cold and cut into chunks)
- 10 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbs vanilla extract
- ½ cup plus 2 tbs heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
- Green Gel Food Coloring
Decorations
- Golden Star Sprinkles
- Holiday Sprinkles
- Blueberries (do not thaw)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, sour cream, heavy cream, and eggs until smooth. Add the chocolate cake mix, cocoa powder, and espresso powder (if using). Mix until all ingredients are fully combined and the batter is smooth.
- Bake the Cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with liners and fill each about two-thirds full with the batter. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cold butter chunks until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and ½ cup heavy cream plus 2 tablespoons. Continue to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. Adjust consistency by adding more cream if needed.
- Add Color to Frosting: Mix green gel food coloring into the frosting gradually until you reach the desired vibrant green color for the Christmas trees.
- Frost the Cupcakes: Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip, frost each cupcake by piping the green frosting in a spiral or tree shape to mimic a Christmas tree.
- Decorate the Trees: Top each frosted cupcake with golden star sprinkles at the peak and scatter holiday sprinkles to mimic ornaments. Place a few blueberries around the base as additional decorative touches if desired.
Notes
- For a richer chocolate flavor, the espresso powder can be included or omitted based on preference.
- Ensure butter is cold before making frosting to achieve the right creamy texture.
- Use gel food coloring to avoid wateriness in the frosting.
- Do not thaw blueberries before decorating to keep them fresh and intact.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate to keep them fresh longer.
Keywords: Christmas tree cupcakes, holiday cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, festive cupcakes, Christmas desserts
Find it online: https://kitchenbynora.com/christmas-tree-cupcakes-recipe/
