Why Make This Recipe
Christmas Tree Cupcakes bring festive cheer to any holiday gathering. They are fun to create and delicious to eat. Not only do they look great, but they also taste incredible with rich chocolate flavor and sweet buttercream frosting. These cupcakes are sure to delight kids and adults alike, making them a perfect treat for holiday parties and celebrations.
How to Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes
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 butter (cold and cut into chunks)
- 10 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbs vanilla
- ½ cup plus 2 tbs heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
- Green Gel Food Coloring
- 1 M Piping Tip
- Piping Bags
- Golden Star Sprinkles
- Holiday Sprinkles
Directions:
How to Make the Cupcakes:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with liners.
- In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil, sour cream, heavy cream, and eggs. Mix well.
- Gradually add the chocolate cake mix, cocoa powder, and espresso powder. Stir until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool completely.
How to Make the Frosting (This is a double recipe of my standard vanilla buttercream):
- In a large bowl, beat the cold butter until creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until combined.
- Add vanilla, pinch of salt, and heavy cream. Beat on high speed until fluffy.
- Mix in green gel food coloring until you reach your desired shade.
How to Decorate Cupcakes:
- Using the 1 M piping tip, pipe the green frosting in a tree shape on each cooled cupcake.
- Top with golden star sprinkles and holiday sprinkles for decoration.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Serve these cupcakes on a festive platter or stand to showcase their vibrant colors. They are perfect for holiday dessert tables or as treats for guests. Pair them with a glass of milk or hot cocoa to enhance the festive experience.
How to Store Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Store any leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you live in a warm area, it’s best to keep them in the refrigerator to maintain the frosting’s shape.
Tips to Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes
- Ensure that the butter for frosting is at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Don’t overmix the cupcake batter to keep them fluffy.
- Use a piping bag for clean and crisp frosting results.
Variation
For a fun twist, you can use vanilla cake mix instead of chocolate and tint the frosting a light blue for a winter theme. Decorate with edible glitter for a magical touch.
FAQs
1. Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cupcakes one or two days in advance. Keep them stored in an airtight container until you are ready to frost and decorate.
2. How can I make the frosting fluffier?
For a fluffier frosting, beat the mixture for a longer period after adding the heavy cream. This will introduce more air into the frosting.
3. Can I use different colors for the frosting?
Absolutely! Feel free to use any color gel food coloring that matches your holiday theme.
Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 4 pieces eggs
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp espresso powder (optional) Optional for enhanced flavor
For the Frosting
- 2 cups butter, cold and cut into chunks
- 10 cups powdered sugar Adjust for desired sweetness
- 2 tbs vanilla
- ½ cup heavy cream Plus 2 tablespoons for frosting
- 1 pinch salt
- Green Gel Food Coloring For coloring the frosting
- 1 M Piping Tip For decoration
- Piping Bags
- Golden Star Sprinkles
- Holiday Sprinkles
Instructions
How to Make the Cupcakes
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with liners.
- In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil, sour cream, heavy cream, and eggs. Mix well.
- Gradually add the chocolate cake mix, cocoa powder, and espresso powder. Stir until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool completely.
How to Make the Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the cold butter until creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until combined.
- Add vanilla, pinch of salt, and heavy cream. Beat on high speed until fluffy.
- Mix in green gel food coloring until you reach your desired shade.
How to Decorate Cupcakes
- Using the 1 M piping tip, pipe the green frosting in a tree shape on each cooled cupcake.
- Top with golden star sprinkles and holiday sprinkles for decoration.
