Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these Easy Christmas Cupcakes featuring moist vanilla cake topped with vibrant green buttercream frosting, decorated festively with candy canes, sprinkles, and edible snowflakes for a delightful winter treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (or homemade vanilla cake recipe)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup water (or as directed on the mix)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp milk (adjust as needed for consistency)
- Green gel food coloring
Decorations
- Mini candy canes
- Red and green sprinkles
- Edible snowflake decorations or fondant snowflakes
- Powdered sugar (for a snowy effect)
- Mini gingerbread cookies (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with festive liners to set the Christmas mood.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Fill and Bake: Pour the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cupcakes cool completely.
- Make Buttercream Frosting: Beat the softened unsalted butter in a mixing bowl until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing continuously to avoid lumps.
- Add Flavor and Consistency: Mix in vanilla extract and milk, beating the frosting until fluffy. Adjust the milk quantity as needed to achieve a smooth, pipeable consistency.
- Color the Frosting: Add green gel food coloring to the frosting and mix until you achieve a vibrant green shade, perfect for a Christmas theme.
- Frost the Cupcakes: Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip, decorate the cooled cupcakes with the green buttercream in a festive pattern that mimics a Christmas tree or other holiday shapes.
- Decorate: Garnish the frosted cupcakes with mini candy canes, red and green sprinkles, edible snowflake decorations or fondant snowflakes, and optional mini gingerbread cookies. Finish by lightly dusting powdered sugar over the cupcakes for a snowy, magical effect.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Adjust milk quantity in frosting for desired thickness.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without altering frosting texture.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Mini gingerbread cookies add extra holiday flair but are optional.
