Name: Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 47 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cake flour; ¼ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp baking powder; ½ cup salted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; ½ cup milk; 3 large eggs; ¼ tablespoon vanilla extract; 16 oz green buttercream frosting; ¼ cup sequin-style rainbow sprinkles; 2-3 Twizzler Pull 'n' Peel Candy, peeled into strings; Star shaped sprinkles; Confectioners sugar, optional

There's something utterly magical about the holidays that makes simple treats feel extra special. This Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe brings that festive charm right to your kitchen with moist cupcakes and swirls of green frosting that look just like Christmas trees. Trust me, these are as joyful to make as they are to eat!

The image shows a single cupcake placed on a white marbled surface. The cupcake has a golden-yellow base with a slightly textured surface, and it sits inside a green and white checkered paper liner that is partially peeled down. On top of the cupcake, there is a smooth, thick red ring layer of icing close to the base of the frosting. Above that, a tall swirl of bright green frosting is piped in thick strands, forming a rounded peak. The green frosting is decorated with small, round, colorful confetti sprinkles in red, orange, green, and blue colors scattered evenly across it. Some powdered sugar is lightly dusted on the frosting and cupcake, adding a soft white touch. The background is minimal and softly blurred with a few more scattered colorful confetti sprinkles. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I adore this Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe because it perfectly blends a classic cupcake base with a fun and festive decorating twist. It’s a crowd-pleaser at every holiday gathering and so approachable for anyone, even if you’re not a pro baker.

Super Festive Presentation: The green buttercream frosting shaped into Christmas trees instantly brings holiday cheer to your dessert table.
Easy to Customize: You can swap sprinkles or piping tips to create your own unique look, making it as personal as your holiday spirit.
Perfect Texture: The cupcakes come out tender and moist, with just the right crumb to hold up beneath all that delicious frosting.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating these cupcakes is a fantastic activity to do with little helpers and spread the holiday joy.

A single vanilla cupcake with a visible bite taken out of the front, showing a soft, crumbly light beige inside layer. The cupcake is topped with a thick layer of bright green frosting, piped in swirled lines all over the top. Scattered on the green frosting are small, flat, round colorful sprinkles in red, orange, yellow, blue, and green, plus a single small star-shaped yellow sprinkle at the peak. A thin ring of red frosting is visible around the cupcake's edge just below the green frosting. The cupcake sits on a white plate set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe has its role in achieving cupcakes that are fluffy, flavorful, and festive. I like to stick with classic pantry staples, which makes shopping stress-free, even last minute!

Flat lay of a small mound of fine white cake flour, a small white bowl filled with pale yellow softened butter, a small white bowl of granulated white sugar, three whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl of creamy white milk, a tiny white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small pile of translucent green buttercream frosting, a small white bowl containing colorful sequin-style rainbow sprinkles, a few twisted strands of bright red Twizzler Pull 'n' Peel candy, and a few golden star-shaped sprinkles scattered neatly, all arranged in perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic dishes, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cake flour: Its lower protein content means a softer, tender crumb that's ideal for cupcakes.
Baking soda & baking powder: These leavening agents give the cupcakes a nice lift without being dense.
Salted butter: Using salted butter balances the sweetness and adds rich flavor; no need to add extra salt.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter evenly and helps with browning for a pretty finish.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps dissolve sugar for smooth batter consistency.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness, keeping cupcakes soft yet sturdy enough for frosting.
Vanilla extract: Always my go-to for a warm, inviting base flavor that complements festive toppings.
Green buttercream frosting: The star of the show—rich, creamy, and perfect for piping that signature tree shape.
Twizzler Pull 'n' Peel Candy: Their stringy texture makes a playful “tree skirt” around the cupcakes.
Sprinkles & star-shaped decorations: Add sparkle and whimsy, boosting the Christmas tree effect beautifully.
Confectioners sugar (optional): A light dusting can mimic gentle snow, adding a dreamy finishing touch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe is a fantastic base, but I love playing around with the decoration part. Feel free to swap sprinkles or try different frosting colors if green isn’t your vibe. It’s all about making something joyful for your table and for you!

Variation: One year, I swapped blue frosting and added silver star sprinkles to create a “Winter Wonderland” tree theme—it was a hit and super simple to do!
Gluten-Free Option: Using a gluten-free flour mix works well here, just watch the texture—sometimes you need a touch more milk to keep cupcakes moist.
Dairy-Free: Swap out butter for coconut oil and use a dairy-free milk alternative; frosting can be made with dairy-free margarine too.
Extra Fun: Adding crushed peppermint candy on top gives a delightful crunch and festive flair.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Prep & Gather Your Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a muffin tin with your favorite cupcake liners. It's a small step, but preparation goes a long way in baking, and it keeps the whole process smooth—you won’t be scrambling midway!

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Mixing these first ensures even distribution throughout the batter, so your cupcakes rise evenly instead of having random lumps of powder.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate bowl, beat the softened salted butter and granulated sugar until it's pale and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes with a hand mixer. I like to do this thoroughly because it gives the batter a light, airy texture.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients and Combine

Whisk in eggs one at a time, then add milk and vanilla extract. Once everything’s combined, gently fold this wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Mixing just until smooth is key—overworking the batter can make cupcakes dense.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full and bake in your preheated oven for about 22 minutes. I always test with a toothpick to make sure it comes out clean before pulling them out. Let cupcakes cool completely—that frosting looks best on a cool canvas!

Step 6: Frost & Decorate Your Christmas Trees

Load your green buttercream into a piping bag fitted with an open star tip, or just a ziplock with the corner snipped if you don’t have one. Start by swirling from the outside edges inward to build your tree shape, ending with a quick pop at the top for a neat tree tip. Add a Twizzler "tree skirt," sprinkle colorful “ornaments,” and top each with a star-shaped sprinkle. Dust a bit of powdered sugar if you want a snowy effect.

Top Tip

From my experience, the key to making these cupcakes look like charming Christmas trees is in the frosting technique and patience. It might take a couple of tries to get the swirl just right, and that’s normal. Keep at it—it’s worth it!

Frosting Consistency: If your buttercream feels too stiff, soften it slightly to pipe smooth swirls that hold but are easy to shape.
Practice Your Piping: Try practicing on parchment paper to get comfortable with the swirling motion before decorating the cupcakes.
Start From the Outside: Beginning with the outer edge and working inward creates layers that mimic tree branches beautifully.
Avoid Overfilling: Don’t fill cupcake liners to the top; batter rises, and overfilling can cause them to spill over and lose shape.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe

Christmas Tree Cupcakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For my holiday parties, I stick to rainbow sequin-style sprinkles and star-shaped candies because they’re colorful and festive without overwhelming the design. Sometimes I add a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar for that magical snow effect—it really elevates the look!

Side Dishes

I like pairing these cupcakes with classic holiday drinks like hot cocoa or spiced cider. They also complement a plate of other finger foods like mini sandwiches and cheese boards—perfect for a cozy gathering.

Creative Ways to Present

One holiday, I arranged my cupcakes on a tiered stand sprinkled with edible glitter and surrounded them with pine sprigs and tiny fairy lights for an enchanting centerpiece. You can also place each cupcake in mini festive paper cups or wrap giveaways in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon for gift-giving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge, especially because of the buttercream. They stay moist and fresh for 3-4 days, but I always bring them back to room temperature before serving for the best flavor experience.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, I recommend freezing the cupcakes without frosting. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and frost fresh for the best texture and presentation.

Reheating

Since these are frosted cupcakes, I don’t heat them once decorated. But for unfrosted leftovers, a 10-15 second zap in the microwave (just until warm) works well to revive softness without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the cupcakes without a piping bag?

Absolutely! If you don’t have a piping bag or tip, you can use a ziplock bag with a small corner cut off to pipe the frosting. Alternatively, you can spread the frosting with a spatula and try to shape the tree with careful layering.

What if I don't have Twizzler Pull 'n' Peel candy?

No worries! You can use any candy strings, licorice, or even thin strips of fruit leather as the tree skirt. Alternatively, try piping a ring of frosting or use a circle of crushed cookies to simulate a skirt around your cupcake base.

Can I use store-bought frosting instead of homemade?

Definitely! Store-bought green buttercream works just fine and saves time. Just make sure it’s nice and thick so you can pipe the tree shape easily. You can also tint plain vanilla frosting with food coloring if you want to customize the shade of green.

How do I prevent cupcakes from drying out?

To keep cupcakes moist, don’t over-bake them (check 1-2 minutes before suggested time), and once cooled, store them in an airtight container. Adding a slice of bread in the container can help maintain moisture too.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking because it’s so approachable but also brings that wow factor to your dessert table. Whether you’re baking with kids or just looking to wow your guests, these cupcakes spread joy with every bite and every swirl of frosting. So grab your piping bag, crank up some holiday tunes, and give them a try—I promise you’ll be smiling with each decorated tree you create!