Description
Celebrate the festive season with these easy Christmas cupcakes featuring a moist vanilla base and vibrant green buttercream frosting. Decorated with colorful sprinkles, mini candy canes, and edible snowflakes, these cupcakes are perfect for holiday parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Batter
- 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 cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix Cake Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Stir until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
- Fill and Bake: Pour the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make Buttercream Frosting: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar while continuing to beat to combine fully.
- Add Flavor and Milk: Mix in vanilla extract and milk, beating the frosting until light and fluffy. Adjust the amount of milk as necessary to achieve the desired consistency.
- Color the Frosting: Add green gel food coloring to the frosting and mix thoroughly until the color is evenly distributed and vibrant.
- Frost the Cupcakes: Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip, pipe the green buttercream onto each cooled cupcake in a decorative swirl.
- Decorate: Garnish the frosted cupcakes with red and green sprinkles, mini candy canes, edible snowflake decorations or fondant snowflakes. Lightly dust with powdered sugar to create a snowy effect. Optionally, add mini gingerbread cookies to individual cupcakes for extra festive charm.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting the buttercream.
- Adjust the milk in the frosting gradually to achieve the perfect piping consistency.
- Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to avoid thinning the frosting.
- Substitute mini candy canes with crushed candy cane pieces for a different texture.
- Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Feel free to customize decorations based on your holiday theme or preferences.
