This delightful Christmas Tree Cupcakes is a must-have centerpiece for your holiday table. Shaped like a Christmas tree, it’s decorated with vibrant green frosting, colorful sprinkles “ornaments,” and topped with a chocolate star. Perfectly moist, rich, and full of holiday flavors, this recipe will spread joy and cheer with every bite.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup molasses
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
For the Frosting:
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4-6 tbsp heavy cream
- Green gel food coloring
- Assorted sprinkles (for ornaments)
- Chocolate star toppers
Instructions
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 24 cupcakes
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake liners.
Make the Batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and cocoa powder.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, molasses, and buttermilk.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Bake the Cupcakes:
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the Frosting:
In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream, beating until smooth and fluffy.
Add green gel food coloring until you achieve a vibrant green shade.
Decoration:
Attach a 2D closed star piping nozzle to a piping bag filled with green buttercream.
Pipe tall, swirled layers of buttercream onto each cupcake to form the shape of a Christmas tree. Leave small sections of the cupcake visible to create a snowy effect.
Gently press colorful sprinkles into the buttercream to simulate decorative ornaments.
Place a chocolate star on top of each buttercream tree.
Lightly dust the cupcakes with icing sugar to give the appearance of freshly fallen snow.
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve your festive cupcake cake at your holiday party and watch it disappear!
