Fun and Festive Christmas Tree Cupcakes are perfect for the holidays. These cupcakes are easy to make and simple to decorate for your Christmas party.
This Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe is so simple and starts with a box mix. Homemade frosting takes it to the next level and transforms each one into a gorgeous Christmas tree. It is one of the easiest Easy Christmas Recipes for busy moms and I love to make it and every year.
We love baking for the holidays, and I always get the kids involved. They have fun putting the candy balls and the yellow stars to complete our Christmas Tree look. Get your party started and also make Grinch Cupcakes, Christmas Tree Brownies, Christmas Trifle, Christmas Bundt Cake, and Christmas Tree Cheese Ball!
Ingredients
- Chocolate Cake Box Mix – Use your favorite cake mix
- Red Cupcake Liners – Adds to the festive touch
- Solid Vegetable Shortening – Helps to make the cake moist
- Unsalted Butter – Softened at room temperature
- Vanilla Extract – We used clean vanilla extract
- Green Gel Food Coloring – We recommend using a quality brand for the best color
- Yellow Sugar Stars – You can also use yellow sprinkles
- Candy Balls – Added for the ornament look
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Step 1. Preheat Oven – Prepare oven by preheating oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2. Make the Cake – Prepare the chocolate cake mix based on the cupcake instructions. Place the red cupcake liners in a cupcake tin. Fill the holders 2/3 full of batter. Then take the cupcakes out of the cupcake pan and allow to cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature.
Step 3. While the cupcakes cool, make the frosting. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and butter until combined and smooth. I used an electric mixer.
Step 4. Then slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar (1 cup at a time). Then mix on low to medium speed until well combined.
Step 5. Stir in Vanilla and Milk until combined.
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:
- ½ cup Solid Vegetable Shortening
- ½ 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
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven according to the cake mix package directions. Line 24 muffin cups with red cupcake liners.
- Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the package directions and divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners.
- Bake as directed on the package. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the vegetable shortening and softened butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
- Mix in the clear vanilla extract and milk until the frosting is smooth. Add green gel food coloring a few drops at a time until the frosting reaches a vibrant Christmas tree green.
- Fit a piping bag with a 1M decorating tip and fill it with the frosting.
- Pipe the frosting onto each cupcake in a circular, upward motion to create the shape of a Christmas tree.
- Top each cupcake with a yellow sugar star and decorate with candy balls to resemble ornaments.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.
Recipe Notes
- Make sure the cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the icing from melting.
- If you don’t have a 1M piping tip, any large open star tip will create a similar tree effect.
- Store decorated cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Nutrition Facts
Pro Tips
- Add the decorations right away – Make sure to add the decorations immediately after you add frosting to the cupcakes. They will not stick if the frosting has already fully set.
- Making the Tree – When you are making the tree, add in the icing to a piping bag to easily make the tree. In a circular motion pipe ice on cupcake.
- Icing – To easily pipe the frosting on the cake, make sure it is at room temperature.
- Green Gel Food Coloring – We recommend using gel food coloring instead of the liquid food coloring. The liquid kind will thin out the food coloring.
- Cupcake – Use a toothpick inserted to make sure the cupcakes are done. Let cool before frosting.
Variations
- Cake flavor. Substitute your favorite cake flavor in this recipe. Other ideas include vanilla, red velvet, German Chocolate, lemon and more.
- Cupcake Liner. We used red cupcake liner, but you can easily other colors. Plaid or green liners are always a fun change.
- Sprinkles. If you can’t find candy balls, you can use a thin layer of sprinkles. This will make it look like twinkle lights on the frosting.
- Gold Star Tip. If you can’t find gold stars, use gold sprinkles. You will still get that glowing affect.
- Homemade Chocolate Cake – If you prefer, you can make Chocolate Cake from scratch.
- Frosting. You can also use Cream Cheese Frosting or Buttercream Icing.
- Powdered Sugar. You can also do a light dusting of powdered sugar to look like a snow texture on the trees.
How to Store Chocolate Cupcakes
Store the leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
More Easy Christmas Desserts
Try this festive recipe and then come back and leave a comment. I love hearing from you!
