The Cutest Cupcakes for Christmas
When you’re looking for a way to jazz up regular vanilla cupcakes and make them full of holiday spirit, these Christmas tree cupcakes are just the thing! They’re a classic vanilla cupcake with a delicate texture, and they’re perfectly sweetened but not too sweet. The cupcake batter is a one-bowl, no-mixer recipe and perfect for novice to expert bakers alike. Real whipped cream is tinted green and then piped onto inverted ice cream cones to really make these cupcakes turn into little Christmas trees. Whether you want to set these out on a dessert table at a casual Christmas party or after a fancier holiday dinner, neither kids nor adults will be able to resist these super cute Christmas cupcakes!
Ingredients in Christmas Tree Cupcakes
For these festive Christmas tree cupcakes, you’ll need the following common fridge and pantry items: Cupcake batter
Eggs Vegetable or canola oil Granulated sugar Vanilla extract All-purpose flour Baking powder Baking soda Salt
Christmas tree ice cream cones
Heavy cream Confectioners’s sugar Vanilla extract Green food coloring Ice cream cones Yellow stars, optional
How to Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes
These cupcakes are a snap to make. You don’t even need a mixer! Just one bowl and a whisk will do it. Simply whisk together the eggs, oil, sugar, then add the vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder and soda, and salt. Transfer to a lined cupcake pan and bake. While the cupcakes cool, make the whipped cream.
To assemble the cupcakes: Step 1: Make whip cream by combining the heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and whipping until you have stiff peaks, about 2 minutes with a stand mixer or a bit longer with a hand mixer. Step 2: Spread a thin layer of whipped cream over the top of each cupcake. Step 3: To the remaining whipped cream, add green food coloring and stir to incorporate. Step 4: Place an inverted ice cream cone on top of each cupcake, using the white whipped cream to secure it.
Step 5: Spread a thin layer of green whipped cream over the ice cream cone. Step 6: Add the green whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Step 7: Pipe star shaped dollops going up the ice cream cone. Step 8: Optionally add a yellow star at the top of each Christmas tree.
Can I Use Baking Shortcuts for This Recipe?
Of course! I’m not kidding when I say that literally this cupcake batter is the epitome of one bowl, no mixer, and super easy. You’ll have it made and in the oven in 5 minutes. However, if you want to semi-homemade these Sandra Lee-style, buy a package of vanilla or white bakery cupcakes from your local grocery store bakery. Look for ones that are frosted white — the less frosting, the better. Scrape off or smoosh down whatever frosting is unnecessary and then invert an ice cream cone on top. Make the homemade whipped cream, tint it green, and pipe it on. Easy-peasy Christmas cupcakes and a baking shortcut for anyone who wants to shave off a step because as we all know, the holidays are so overly busy for everyone.
Can I Make Different Flavored Cupcakes?
Be my guest! The festive cupcake liners and the white frosting will cover up whatever color your cupcakes are, so feel free to make any flavor you’d like. I also have recipes for chocolate cupcakes, yellow cupcakes, and red velvet cupcakes on my site. All of which would be delicious at Christmas!
What Type of Ice Cream Cone Should I Buy?
You’ll need to use small sugar cones for this easy Christmas tree cupcake recipe. Don’t use cake cones, as those are the entirely wrong shape.
Can I Use Cool Whip Instead of Whipped Cream?
No, you need to use real whipped cream for this Christmas tree dessert. You cannot use Cool Whip or spray-on whipped topping in a can.
Can the Whipped Cream Be Substituted?
Yes! You can make homemade buttercream frosting and use that instead of homemade whipped cream and then pipe it on.
How to Store Christmas Cupcakes
Being that these Christmas tree cupcakes use real whipped cream and not whipped topping, like Cool Whip, you will need to be careful to keep them refrigerated. Real whipped cream does not like warmer room temperatures and will deflate. Realistically airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days is my storage recommendation. They could last for a week but then again, the whipped cream may not hold out perfectly since there are no stabilizers in it.
Tips for the Best Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Use red or green foil cupcake liners for the most festive look. Use heavy cream or whipping cream for the whipped cream. Do not use half-and-half or milk. While you can whip coconut cream, unless you are an experienced baker, just stick with heavy or whipping cream. Make sure the cream is very cold. Even better, chill your mixing bowl for 20 minutes in the fridge before you use it. The colder everything is, the better results you’ll have with nice stiff peaks.
The recipe for the whipped cream as written makes 2 cups which is enough to decorate with. However, if you’re not experienced with a piping bag and decorating, I suggest doubling the recipe as written to ensure you will have enough whipped cream. Trying to make more later, after you’ve tinted it green will not work and the shades of green won’t match exactly so better to just double the recipe as written from the get-go. You can fill the ice cream cones with M&M’s (mini or regular sized) or chocolate chips (mini or regular sized) for an added element of surprise when eating the holiday cupcakes. This reminds me of my Easter Egg Treasure Cake. Use pointed-tip sugar cookie ice cream cones not flat-bottomed cones. For snowy-topped Christmas tree cupcakes, sift a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar over the top. Everyone loves a white Christmas!
Enjoy!
More Easy Christmas Dessert Recipes:
25 Holiday Cookie Favorites – The tried-and-true favorites are all here! If you need a holiday cookie recipe, this collection has you covered!! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes!
12 Easy No-Bake Holiday Desserts – No time to bake? Here are 12 FAST and EASY no-bake recipes! Whether you want chocolate, peanut butter, cheesecake, bark, or truffles, these recipes have you covered!!
Stacked Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies — Softy, chewy, buttery sugar cookies are stacked in the shape of Christmas trees and layered with buttercream frosting!
Christmas Red Velvet Poke Cake – The EASIEST and most impressive Christmas cake! You’ll have your friends and family thinking you’re a rock star pastry chef!
Christmas Cut Out Cookies — These traditional cut out sugar cookies are just like Grandma used to make!! They’re thin but still soft, topped with a simple 2-ingredient royal icing, and loaded with sprinkles! So festive and perfect for cookie exchanges or hostess gifts!! Layered Cranberry Jello Salad – A festive holiday layered recipe with cranberries, pineapple, cream cheese, pecans, and pretzels! A little bit creamy, crunchy, sweet, and a little salty. A nostalgic family favorite with an impressive presentation to wow your holiday guests!
Chocolate-Covered Sponge Candy — A classic homemade Christmas candy that’s light and airy candy inside and chocolate-dipped on the outside. Easy to make! Great for cookie exchanges and hostess gifts because it keeps fresh for a long time!
Chocolate Covered Christmas Oreos – Oreo cookies dipped in chocolate and loaded with sprinkles are an irresistible holiday treat! Fast, EASY, no-bake, can be made in advance! Perfect for cookie exchanges and hostess gifts. Get ready to break out the sprinkles and have fun making and then eating these family favorite Christmas cookies!
Loaded Christmas Puppy Chow – This fast, easy, no-bake holiday treat is LOADED with all the good stuff! Chocolate, peanut butter, sugar, M&Ms, peanut butter cups, and pretzels for a salty-sweet, crunchy, and addictive snack! Makes great little gifts because it keeps well and everyone LOVES it!
The BEST Red Velvet Cupcakes — Tender fluffy red velvet cupcakes stuffed with chocolate truffles and topped with sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting!
