Description
These Easy Christmas Cupcakes are festive, flavorful, and perfect for holiday celebrations. Moist vanilla cupcakes are topped with a vibrant green buttercream frosting and decorated with seasonal accents like candy canes, sprinkles, and edible snowflakes, making them a delightful treat for family and friends.
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 Ingredients
- 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). Line a muffin tin with festive cupcake liners to add a holiday touch and prevent sticking.
- Mix Cake Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is smooth and well blended.
- Fill and Bake: Spoon the batter into the lined muffin tin, filling each liner about two-thirds full to allow room for rising. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Buttercream Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until creamy and smooth using an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the butter while continuing to beat. Stir in the vanilla extract and milk, then beat the frosting until it becomes light and fluffy. Adjust the milk quantity as needed to achieve a spreadable consistency.
- Add Color: Mix in green gel food coloring a little at a time until you reach a vibrant green hue suitable for festive icing.
- Frost the Cupcakes: Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip, pipe the green buttercream frosting generously onto each cooled cupcake in a swirling motion.
- Decorate: Finish decorating by adding mini candy canes, red and green sprinkles, edible snowflake decorations, and optionally mini gingerbread cookies. Lightly dust with powdered sugar to create a snowy winter effect, enhancing the cupcakes’ holiday appearance.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
- You can substitute the green gel food coloring with natural spinach powder for a more natural tint.
- Adjust the consistency of the frosting with additional milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For added flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of almond extract to the frosting.
