Description
Tree Cupcakes are festive cupcakes topped with green frosting piped into a Christmas‑tree shape and decorated with colorful sprinkles or candies — perfect for holiday parties, winter birthdays, or any celebration that calls for a seasonal treat.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk (or buttermilk)
- For the frosting:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (to adjust consistency)
- Green food coloring
- Sprinkles, mini M&M’s, edible stars, or small candies (for decorations)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12‑cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture — starting and ending with the dry — mixing until just combined.
- Divide batter among liners, filling each about two‑thirds full. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- For frosting: beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Add food coloring and enough cream or milk to reach a thick but pipeable consistency.
- Fit a piping bag with a large star tip (e.g. Wilton 1M or 2D). Pipe frosting in tall swirls on top of each cupcake to create a “tree” shape.
- Decorate with sprinkles, mini candies, or edible stars to resemble ornaments, placing a small candy star on top as the tree topper if desired.
Notes
- You can use a boxed cake mix if you prefer — just bake, cool, and decorate as described.
- For flavor variations: add a pinch of peppermint or almond extract to batter or frosting; use chocolate cupcake base; or sprinkle crushed candy canes around the base for extra festive flair.
- If using a store‑bought frosting, whip it briefly and tint with green coloring before piping.
- For mini tree cupcakes: use a mini muffin tin and bake for about 10–12 minutes, then pipe smaller “trees.”
- Decorated cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature, or up to 4 days in the fridge (bring to room temperature before serving if chilled).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
