Sweet, Sparkly, and Simple: Christmas Tree Cupcakes for the Holidays
Get ready to deck your dessert table with the most festive cupcakes this side of the North Pole! These Christmas Tree Cupcakes are so cute, even Santa might trade in his cookies for one (or three). Each cupcake is topped with a candy Christmas tree that stands tall on a popsicle stick—because who says your holiday treats can’t double as edible décor? We’ll walk you through how to whip up the cupcakes, swirl on the icing, and craft those sparkly candy trees using candy melts and sprinkles. Grab your apron, your sense of humor, and maybe a snow shovel for all the sugar you’re about to unleash!
Why you should make these cute holiday cupcakes:
- Instant Holiday Cheer: These cupcakes look like mini winter wonderlands and will brighten up any holiday table.
- Edible Art Project: Making the candy Christmas trees is as fun as it is delicious.
- Show-Stopping Presentation: The popsicle stick trees make these cupcakes look straight out of a holiday bakery window.
- Perfect for Parties & Gifts: Bring them to a cookie swap, holiday potluck, or wrap them up as sweet homemade presents.
- Festive Flavor & Fun: You’ll get all the cozy baking vibes of the season while creating something that’s both tasty and totally Instagram-worthy.
These Christmas Tree Cupcakes are great for:
- Christmas Parties – The ultimate dessert centerpiece for any holiday gathering.
- Family Baking Nights – A cozy activity to do together while sipping hot cocoa.
- Holiday Gift Exchanges – Wrap them up in cute boxes for a sweet, homemade surprise.
- School or Office Parties – Easy to share and guaranteed to impress coworkers or classmates.
- Christmas Dinner Dessert – A whimsical and cheerful way to end your holiday feast.
- Winter Birthdays – Add a little extra sparkle to a December celebration.
- Christmas Movie Nights – Enjoy them while watching your favorite holiday classics.
Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Prep Time: 20 min
Bake Time: 15-20 min
Makes: 12 cupcakes
Ingredients
1 box chocolate cupcake mix + the ingredients from the back of the box (water, oil, eggs)
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp. milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- (Or use your favorite store-bought frosting.)
For the Trees:
- Plastic treat sticks
- 6 oz. dark green candy melts
- 6 oz. pink candy melts
- Christmas sprinkles (we used a traditional red and green & a pastel)
Directions
Prepare the cupcakes, according to the box directions.
Allow the cupcakes to cool.
Meanwhile, prepare the trees.
Place a piece of wax paper on a cutting board. (You will probably need two cutting boards, I did one for green and one for pink. I did 6 green trees and 6 pink trees.)
Place the plastic sticks onto the wax paper.
Add the green candy melts to a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 15 second increments, stirring between, until melted.
Add the melted green candy to a piping bag and snip off just the tip.
Drizzle the melted candy over the plastic sticks to create the tree shapes.
Sprinkle some sprinkles over the trees.
Move the trees to the refrigerator for 10-15 min. to set.
Repeat this with the pink candy melts.
Make your frosting. If you are doing buttercream, beat the butter for about 1 minute, then start adding the powdered sugar. Halfway through, add the vanilla and mix well. Keep adding powdered sugar until your frosting forms. If needed, add small amounts of the milk, but not too much, so your frosting will be firm.
Frost the cooled cupcakes.
Once the trees have set, place one into the center of each cupcake.
Enjoy!
FAQ: Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Can I use a different cake flavor instead of chocolate?
Absolutely! While chocolate makes a rich, snowy-night base, you can swap in vanilla, red velvet, or even peppermint cake mix for a festive twist.
Do I have to make the buttercream from scratch?
Not at all—but homemade buttercream really makes these cupcakes shine! If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought frosting and just jazz it up with a little vanilla extract or food coloring.
How far in advance can I make the candy Christmas trees?
You can make them up to 3 days ahead! Just store them in a cool, dry place (not the fridge) so they stay crisp and picture-perfect.
What’s the best way to store the finished cupcakes?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4. Just bring them to room temp before serving so the buttercream is soft and dreamy again! Remove the trees before refrigerating and store them in a cool, dry place.
Tips & Tricks
- Use a piping bag with a star tip for that picture-perfect swirl of buttercream “snow.”
- Add a touch of sparkle! A sprinkle of edible glitter or sanding sugar makes the cupcakes look freshly dusted with snow.
- Get creative with colors: Try pastel trees for a “Whimsical Winter Wonderland” vibe or classic green for traditional holiday cheer.
- Get creative with decorations: Any edible holiday sprinkles or decorations will be a hit! Try different shapes of sprinkles, edible glitter, tinted sugar, and crushed candies!
By the time you’ve piped the last swirl of frosting and sprinkled the final bit of “snow,” your kitchen will smell like pure Christmas magic. These Christmas Tree Cupcakes aren’t just desserts—they’re tiny, edible celebrations that bring out everyone’s inner elf. Whether you’re baking with kids, gifting to friends, or simply treating yourself after wrapping one too many presents, these sweet little trees are guaranteed to spread joy. So grab a cupcake, crank up the holiday tunes, and let the sugar-fueled merriment begin!
