Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Christmas Tree Cupcakes are festive chocolate cupcakes topped with green vanilla buttercream frosting and decorated to resemble miniature Christmas trees. They’re easy to make, visually stunning, and perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 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)
- 2 cups cold butter, cut into chunks
- 10 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup plus 2 tbsp heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
- Green gel food coloring
- Golden star sprinkles
- Holiday sprinkles
- 1M piping tip
- Piping bags
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and line cupcake pan with liners.
- In a bowl, mix vegetable oil, sour cream, heavy cream, and eggs until smooth.
- Add cake mix, cocoa powder, and optional espresso powder; mix until well combined.
- Fill each cupcake liner with ¼ cup of batter.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool cupcakes in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make frosting, whip cold butter in a stand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing thoroughly.
- Add vanilla, heavy cream, and salt; mix until smooth.
- Add green gel food coloring until desired shade is achieved.
- Fill piping bag fitted with 1M tip with frosting and pipe onto cooled cupcakes in an upward spiral to resemble a tree.
- Immediately decorate with a golden star on top and holiday sprinkles.
Notes
- Add sprinkles right after piping, before frosting sets.
- For a deeper green frosting, add a touch of blue and black gel food coloring.
- You can scrape off and re-pipe frosting if needed for better shape.
Find it online: https://www.recipebyelena.com/christmas-tree-cupcakes/