Christmas Cupcakes

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Goods.

These holiday cupcakes were so fun to make! About 2 hours including decorating. The vanilla base stays super moist while buttercream holds shapes perfectly. Started with easy designs then worked up to harder ones. Made them for school party and kids went crazy. Love how each one tells holiday story.
Mina cooking in her kitchen
Updated on Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:19:52 GMT
A festive display of decorated holiday cupcakes featuring a Christmas tree, an owl, and various colorful decorations on a marble platter. Pin it
A festive display of decorated holiday cupcakes featuring a Christmas tree, an owl, and various colorful decorations on a marble platter. | lastminrecipes.com

Let me share my favorite Christmas cupcakes that bring pure holiday magic to any dessert table. After years of perfecting these festive treats I've discovered five adorable designs that never fail to make people smile. The combination of fluffy vanilla cake and creamy buttercream creates the perfect canvas for creating edible holiday art.

A Sweet Holiday Tradition

These Christmas cupcakes have become our family's most cherished baking tradition. My kitchen turns into a winter wonderland as we transform simple cupcakes into wreaths snowmen and Santa hats. The joy on everyone's faces when they see these festive creations makes all the effort worthwhile.

What You'll Need

  • For the Cupcakes: Your basics for perfect vanilla cake.
  • For the Buttercream: The smoothest creamiest frosting base.
  • Decorations: Everything to bring holiday magic alive.

Let's Get Baking

Create Your Base
Mix those ingredients with care for the fluffiest cupcakes.
Bake to Perfection
Watch for that gentle golden dome and springy touch.
Whip Up Magic
Beat that buttercream until it's silky smooth.
Time to Create
Let your imagination run wild with festive designs.

Decorating Magic

Each Christmas cupcake design tells its own story. Create tiny wreaths with perfectly piped leaves or build adorable snowmen with marshmallow heads. My favorite is the Santa hat topped with a fluffy white pompom. Remember there's no wrong way to decorate these just let your creativity flow.

Share the Joy

Nothing spreads holiday cheer quite like giving these Christmas cupcakes as gifts. Package them carefully in holiday boxes and watch faces light up when they see these festive treats. They're perfect for parties cookie exchanges or just making someone's day a little more magical.

A festive display of decorated cupcakes featuring Christmas themes, including mini Christmas trees and a Santa hat, with colorful frosting and toppings. Pin it
A festive display of decorated cupcakes featuring Christmas themes, including mini Christmas trees and a Santa hat, with colorful frosting and toppings. | lastminrecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I substitute the sour cream?

Yes, whole milk yogurt works well as a substitute for sour cream. The taste difference is minimal and both provide the needed moisture.

→ Why are my ingredients clumpy when mixed?

It's normal for the wet ingredients to look clumpy when first mixed. This won't affect the final texture of the cupcakes.

→ Can I use a different frosting?

Yes, Italian or Swiss meringue buttercream can be used for a less sweet frosting while still achieving the same decorative effects.

→ How do I make the snowman nose stick?

Pinch the surface where the nose will go to create a rough texture. This helps the orange-tinted mixture stick better to the snowman.

→ Can I add different flavors?

Yes, try adding crushed candy canes to the batter for a festive mint flavor, or experiment with other mix-ins.

Christmas Cupcakes

Vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting decorated five festive ways - as wreaths, poinsettias, Christmas trees, snowmen, and Santa hats.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Mina

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: American

Yield: 18 Servings (18 cupcakes)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 2/3 cups (200g) all purpose flour.
02 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar.
03 1/4 tsp (1g) baking soda.
04 1 tsp (4g) baking powder.
05 1/4 tsp (1g) kosher salt.
06 3/4 cup (190g) unsalted butter, room temperature.
07 3 egg whites.
08 1 tbsp (15mL) vanilla extract.
09 1/2 cup (120g) sour cream.
10 1/2 cup (118mL) whole milk.
11 2 lbs (900g) confectioners sugar.
12 1 lb (450g) unsalted butter.
13 1 tsp (5mL) vanilla extract.
14 1 tbsp (15mL) heavy cream.
15 1 pinch salt.
16 1 tsp (5mL) whole milk.
17 Red, green and orange food coloring.
18 Sugar pearls for decorating.
19 Large marshmallows.
20 3 tbsp candy melts.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat to 350°F. Sift dry ingredients including sugar. Whisk wet ingredients separately. Combine and distribute in cupcake papers. Bake 15-20 minutes.

Step 02

Cream room temperature butter. Add confectioners sugar in batches. Mix in salt, milk, cream and vanilla until fluffy. Divide and color as needed.

Step 03

Pipe white base. Use leaf tip for green wreath. Add red ribbon with petal tip. Decorate with sugar pearls.

Step 04

Pipe green leaves with large leaf tip. Add red petals with petal tip. Finish with yellow center.

Step 05

Pipe white base and brown trunk. Create tree with star tip dollops. Decorate with sugar pearls.

Step 06

Pipe white base. Add cut marshmallow. Use black buttercream for features and orange for nose. Add pearl buttons.

Step 07

Pipe red hat shape. Add white buttercream dollops for fur trim.

Notes

  1. Can substitute yogurt for sour cream.
  2. Can use different buttercream types.
  3. Optional mint flavor with candy canes.

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand mixer.
  • Piping bags and tips.
  • Cupcake pan.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 300
  • Total Fat: 23 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 46 g
  • Protein: 3 g