Christmas Tree Cupcakes with Buttercream
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 pre-baked vanilla or chocolate cupcakes (cooled completely)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
- Green gel food coloring (leaf green or forest green)
- 12 small sugar cones
- Gold star sprinkles
- Small multi-colored edible pearls or nonpareils
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Buttercream Frosting
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes until it is pale and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of cream. Beat for another 2 minutes until light and fluffy. If the frosting is too stiff, add the remaining tablespoon of cream. - Step 2: Tint the Frosting
Add a few drops of green gel food coloring to the buttercream. Use a spatula to fold the color in until no streaks remain. Continue adding color drop by drop until you achieve a vibrant, deep evergreen shade. Transfer the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a small star tip (such as Wilton #18 or #21). - Step 3: Secure the Tree Base
Spread a thin layer of green frosting over the top of each cooled cupcake. This will act as the “grass” and help hold the tree in place. Take a sugar cone and press the wide opening firmly into the center of the frosted cupcake so it stands straight up. - Step 4: Pipe the Tree Branches
Starting at the bottom of the sugar cone, pipe small “stars” or “leaves” by pressing the tip against the cone, squeezing briefly, and pulling away. Work your way around the base in a circle. Move up to the next row, slightly overlapping the row below, and continue this process until the entire cone is covered and you reach the very top. - Step 5: Decorate the Trees
Carefully place a gold star sprinkle on the very top of each tree. While the buttercream is still soft, gently press the edible pearls or nonpareils into the branches to look like ornaments. For a final festive touch, lightly sift a small amount of powdered sugar over the trees to look like freshly fallen snow.