A Table Full Of Joy

  • 4th of July Recipes
  • Entree Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • 4th of July Recipes
  • Entree Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes
  • All Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • 4th of July Recipes
    • Entree Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • About Me
    • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Christmas

    Christmas Tree Cupcakes

    Published: Jan 22, 2025 by Lisa Killian ยท This post may contain affiliate links. Please read myย  disclosure policy.

    โ†“ Jump to Recipe
    โ†“ Jump to Video
    Christmas Tree Cupcakes, a simple Christmas dessert that looks impressive and tastes delicious!

    Pin now and save for later!

    Christmas Tree Cupcakes with powdered sugar "snowing" on them
    I love how pretty these cupcakes are!

    Christmas Tree Cupcakes are so easy and so fun!

    Save this for later!

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Don't worry, I promise not to spam you!

     
    I am all about minimum effort but maximum awesomeness when it comes to Christmas desserts this year. I mean my snowball cupcakes, peppermint bark, gingerbread cookies, Christmas popcorn, and holiday cake are all so easy to make but look amazing and taste delicious. Now Iโ€™d like to share these Christmas Tree Cupcakes to the list. Seriously guys, itโ€™s a chocolate cupcake with green frosting on top. Add a star and you have a tree. Done.

    I love Christmas Cupcakes!

    Christmas Tree Cupcake without sprinkles
    Even without the sprinkles these cupcakes are stunning!

    How to make Christmas Tree Cupcakes?

    • Make a batch of my super delicious and easy chocolate cupcakes (or any cupcakes that you want!)
    • Whip up the easy and delicious vanilla buttercream
    • Add green food coloring to the frosting
    • Using a 1M tip pipe on the frosting and top with a golden star! Add other sprinkles or powdered sugar if you want! 

    How to pipe Christmas Tree Cupcakes?

    Easy! Using your 1M tip and a piping bag, pipe your frosting onto the cupcake. I like to start on the outside making my way up and in towards the middle while building the frosting on top of itself in a circle. Try to do this all in one unbroken movement. You can totally practice and scrape it off and try again too! No one will know!
    process shots of piping the tree on top
    With the right piping tip you can make suck pretty designs!

    How to decorate Christmas Tree Cupcakes?

    I like to add the yellow star on top, and then place some round sprinkles all around the tree to look like frosting. Sprinkle some powdered sugar or edible glitter on them for a snowy effect! If you make these let me know! I love to see your creations! Tag me on Instagram @atablefullofjoy!
    Christmas Tree Cupcakes pin
    Don't forget to pin this recipe!
    Also, if you like this recipe make sure to check out my Snowmen Truffles, Sugared Cranberries, and Candy Cane Cupcakes!

    Video

    HTMLFont size
    Christmas Tree Cupcakes featured image

    Christmas Tree Cupcakes

    Christmas Tree Cupcakes, a simple Christmas dessert that looks impressive and tastes delicious!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin
    Author: Lisa Killian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Decorating Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 24 Cupcakes

    Ingredients

    For the cupcakes:

    • ยฝ cup vegetable oil
    • ยพ cup sour cream
    • ยพ cup heavy cream
    • 4 eggs
    • 1 box chocolate cake mix
    • ยผ cup cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional

    For the frosting:

    • 2 cups butter cold and cut into chunks
    • 10 cups powdered sugar
    • 2 tbs vanilla
    • ยฝ cup plus 2 tbs heavy cream
    • Pinch of salt

    Additional Items:

    • Green Gel Food Coloring
    • 1 M Piping Tip
    • Piping Bags
    • Golden Star Sprinkles
    • Holiday Sprinkles

    Instructions

    How to make the cupcakes:

    • Preheat oven to 325ยฐF. Line your cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
    • Mix together, either by hand or in a stand mixer, the oil, sour cream, heavy cream and eggs. Then mix in the boxed cake mix, cocoa powder, and espresso powder if using.
      ยฝ cup vegetable oil, ยพ cup sour cream, ยพ cup heavy cream, 4 eggs, 1 box chocolate cake mix, ยผ cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon espresso powder
    • Scoop the batter into your cupcake liners, I like using a ยผ measuring cup.
    • Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Make sure to bake all the cakes on the same oven rack so they bake evenly.
    • Let the cupcakes cool for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire cooling rack. Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

    How to make the frosting (this is a double recipe of my standard vanilla buttercream):

    • In a stand mixer, whip your butter chunks on medium high speed until the butter is light and fluffy.
      2 cups butter
    • Add in the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time
      10 cups powdered sugar
    • Once the powdered sugar becomes hard to incorporate add in the vanilla, heavy cream, and pinch of salt, allowing the ingredients to incorporate fully.
      2 tbs vanilla, ยฝ cup plus 2 tbs heavy cream, Pinch of salt
    • Add in green gel food coloring until you get the green you are looking for.
      Green Gel Food Coloring

    How to decorate cupcakes:

    • Using your 1M piping tip and the green frosting frost your cupcakes. You want to build the frosting up while moving the bag and tip in a circular motion.
      1 M Piping Tip, Piping Bags
      process shots of piping the tree on top
    • Place a star at the top and then use other sprinkles to decorate the tree.
      Golden Star Sprinkles, Holiday Sprinkles
      Christmas Tree Cupcakes featured image

    Notes

    Tips
    • Add sprinkles right after you make the tree. If the frosting sets up the sprinkles won't stick.
    • To make a darker green colored frosting stir in a tiny bit of blue and black food coloring gel to the green frosting.
    ย 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 524kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 759IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links to amazon products are affiliate links.  Post updated on 11/29/2020

    More Easy Christmas Recipes

    • Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb featured image.
      Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb Recipe
    • Christmas Muddy Buddies Puppy Chow featured image
      Christmas Chex Mix Muddy Buddies
    • christmas oreo balls featured image
      Christmas Oreo Balls
    • Christmas Rice Krispie Treat featured image
      Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

    Comments

      5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Lisa says

      December 12, 2022 at 7:15 pm

      Is it a 1/4 cup of cocoa powder?

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        December 13, 2022 at 4:22 pm

        Oh good catch! Yes it's a 1/4 cup! I fixed the recipe card to reflect that thank you!

        Reply
    2. Jules says

      December 24, 2020 at 12:03 am

      Under recipe, it says 1/4 cocoa powder. Does this mean 1/4 cup of cocoa powder? Just wanted to make sure! Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        December 26, 2020 at 7:15 pm

        Yep ๐Ÿ™‚ I like to add extra to the batter but if you leave it out it's not a huge deal ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    headshot of lisa

    Hey, I'm Lisa!

    Here you will find easy and delicious recipes that will bring joy and lots of flavor to your home!

    About Me

    4th of July Recipes

    • red white and blue cupcakes featured image
      Red White and Blue Cupcakes

    • 4th of July Cookies featured image
      4th of July Cookies

    • red white and blue bundt cake side view
      Red White and Blue Cake

    • 4th of July Cake featured images
      4th of July Cake

    • red white and blue cheesecake salad featured image
      Red White and Blue Cheesecake Salad

    • toll house pie featured image
      Toll House Pie

    Most Popular Recipes

    • shake and bake chicken featured image
      Shake and Bake Chicken

    • toasted bread featured image
      How to Toast Bread in Oven?

    • fried scallops featured image
      Fried Scallops

    • grilled nuggets featured
      Grilled Chicken Nuggets

    • cinnamon toast crunch bars with mini marshmallows sprinkled around them and milk in a cup, featured image.
      Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars

    • steak pasta in bowl featured image
      Steak Pasta With Creamy Garlic Sauce

    Featured On

    AS seen on Parade, Hearthstone, Yummly, Sam's Club, Congra, Red Tricycle, Chefling App. Foodgawker, Karo

    Footer

    โ†‘ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates!

    Contact

    • About Me
    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, ThermoWorks Affiliate, Good Ranchers Affiliate, De Buyer Affiliate, Camp Chef Affiliate, Walmart + Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright ยฉ 2025 A Table Full of Joyโ„ข

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.