These Christmas Tree Cupcakes are so sweet and cute. They are the perfect quick dessert for Christmas parties or a delicious surprise for kids.
The Christmas Tree Cupcakes recipe is so easy. You will love to make them because they can make your own cupcake batter and frosting or use a store bought cupcake and just add the special touch of the festive Christmas Trees for an easy Christmas cupcake.
IF you love Christmas but need help getting everything done quickly, check out these great Christmas recipes.
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What We Love About This Christmas Cupcake Ideas
THe cool thing about this recipe is that you have so much versatility. You can make any flavor of cupcake, and flavor or color of frosting, do a cream cheese or buttercream frosting and then decorating any way you wish.
- 15 Minute Prep: Since you started with a completed cupcake, you only need to make the decorations and you have a show stopping Christmas treat.
- Easy Ingredients: Only four ingredients and you are ready to go.
- Family Friendly: Kids will love to eat them but also help you make them.
- Adaptable: Can make with any cupcake recipe or frosting recipe you prefer.
Ingredient Notes
- Pretzel Sticks: These are the trunk of the tree. A gluten-free pretzel can also work for this recipe.
- Candy Melts: Green Candy Melts are perfect for this recipe or use white and whisk a little green food coloring.
- Cupcakes: Make your own cupcakes with cocoa powder, flour, salt etc., bake in a cupcake pan and allow to cool on a cooling rack or buy some premade.
Variations and Substitutions
- Chocolate – melt regular chocolate with a little coconut oil.
How to Make Christmas Cupcake
These are the basic steps for making this easy Christmas cupcake recipe. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information. Check out Pinterest, Instagram and my Facebook page for more.
STEP 1: PREP
First, make the cupcakes per your recipe directions or package directions in a large bowl with the stand mixer. Remember for best cupcakes make sure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature before starting your recipe.
STEP 2: MELT
Next, lay pretzel sticks on a parchment paper lined baking sheet (wax paper or a silicone mat can also be used). Melt green candy melts according to the package directions. Transfer the melted candy melts to a zip top bag and snip off the tip of the bag ( or use a piping bag)..
STEP 3: PIPE
Leave about 1/3 of the pretzel stick for the trunk of the tree; Beginning 1/3 of the way from the bottom (the widest part of the tree) start zig zagging the chocolate across the pretzel stick, getting a little smaller with each line. Before the chocolate dries, add some little ball sprinkles to look like ornaments on the trees.
STEP 4: HARDEN
Finally, allow chocolate trees to harden (preferably in the fridge). Lastly, place the Christmas trees in the top of your cupcakes.
Prep and Storage Tips
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
You can make the cupcakes ahead of time, like this Chocolate Cupcakes, wrap well in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container until ready to frost and decorate.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
The cupcakes will stay good for a day or two, however do not place in the refrigerator as it will dry our the cake.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
Place the unfrosted cupcakes in the freezer for up to three months in advance. Thaw overnight and then decorate as directed..
Frequently Asked Questions
A low sugar or gluten free cake mix can be used to make these cupcakes, use a sugar substitute for the frosting and even try a sugar substitute chocolate to melt.
Of course, use balls, star sprinkles or even a little glitter.
Indeed, it is easy to double or even triple this recipe for a large gathering or Christmas party.
Yes, try using fun cupcake liners to make a fun and festive Christmas tree cupcakes.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Extracts: Add a teaspoon or two of you favorite extract such as vanilla extract, almond or even peppermint extract.
- Decorate: Use shredded coconut as snow to decorate your Christmas cupcakes.
- Different Colors: Try different color chocolate to decorate your tree. Even pipe stars on top.
- Add: to the cake mixture add chocolate chips or other candies to the batter before placing the cupcakes into the oven.
- How to Pipe: If you need a little help with the piping check out this video. You can also pipe the trees on inverted ice cream cones or sugar cones.
What to Serve with Christmas Tree Cupcakes
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Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 frosted cupcakes
- 12 oz package green candy melts
- 24 pretzel sticks
- Small sized ball sprinkles
Instructions
- Lay pretzel sticks on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Melt green candy melts according to the package directions.
- Transfer the melted candy melts to a zip top bag and snip off the tip of the bag.
- Leave about 1/3 of the pretzel stick for the trunk of the tree; Beginning 1/3 of the way from the bottom (the widest part of the tree) start zig zagging the chocolate across the pretzel stick, getting a little smaller with each line.
- You’ll want to make sure that your lines touch each other.
- Before the chocolate dries, add some little ball sprinkles to look like ornaments on the trees.
- Allow chocolate trees to harden (preferably in the fridge). Finally, place the Christmas trees in the top of your cupcakes.
Expert Tips
- Extracts: Add a teaspoon or two of you favorite extract such as vanilla extract, almond or even peppermint extract.
- Decorate: Use shredded coconut as snow to decorate your Christmas cupcakes.
- Different Colors: Try different color chocolate to decorate your tree. Even pipe stars on top.
- Add: to the cake mixture add chocolate chips or other candies to the batter before placing the cupcakes into the oven.
- How to Pipe: If you need a little help with the piping check out this video. You can also pipe the trees on inverted ice cream cones or sugar cones.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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The easiest and tastiest cupcakes. My kids LOVED it too. Thanks for this recipe.
So cute and SO easy to make! Thank you for the wonderful idea!
Such a fun activity with my kids – thanks so much!
These are so cuuuute! I really enjoyed making them, and my family loves them. I’ll surely have these beautiful Christmas Tress Cupcakes for Christmas.
I love this recipe. It’s easy to prepare and so delicious! Thanks, Christina, for this a-must-try recipe. We’ll surely make this again.