Cupcake Christmas Tree (Printable)
A towering holiday display of vanilla cupcakes topped with fluffy green buttercream and festive decorations.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - ¾ cup whole milk
→ Buttercream Frosting
10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2-3 tablespoons whole milk
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 - Green gel food coloring
→ Decorations
15 - Multicolored round sprinkles
16 - Edible gold star topper
17 - Mini candy canes or sugar pearls
18 - Shredded coconut
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
03 - Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
04 - Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk. Begin and end with flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk as needed for desired consistency. Tint with green gel food coloring.
07 - Pipe buttercream in a tall swirl on each cooled cupcake using a large star tip.
08 - Arrange cupcakes in tree formation: 7 at base, then 6, 5, 4, 2, and 1 at top to form triangle on large board or platter.
09 - Decorate with sprinkles as ornaments. Place gold star at peak. Add candy canes, pearls, or coconut for extra decoration.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Creates a showstopping centerpiece that guests cannot stop photographing
- Combines nostalgic vanilla cupcake comfort with festive holiday magic
- Builds lasting memories while assembling something truly extraordinary together
02 -
- Completely cooled cupcakes prevent buttercream from melting into sad puddles before serving
- Room temperature ingredients prevent curdling and ensure even baking throughout
- The tree shape works best when arranged just before serving to maintain structural integrity
03 -
- Add a pinch of salt to your buttercream to balance sweetness and intensify flavor
- Use a rotating cake stand to easily pipe swirls from every angle without moving around