Christmas Cupcakes
User Reviews
5
Christmas Cupcakes
Description
The cupcakes begin with a white cake mix batter into which red, white, and green sprinkles are folded before baking, adding a speckled, colorful effect throughout. After baking and cooling, the cupcakes are topped with a buttercream frosting made from softly beaten butter mixed with powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and half and half to reach a creamy consistency. The frosting is whipped until light and fluffy.
The standout decoration is the Christmas tree pretzels made by dipping pretzel sticks in melted dark green candy melts, then sprinkled with nonpareils before the candy sets. These trees are piped onto parchment in a triangular shape around the pretzel sticks and allowed to harden. The pretzel trees are then placed atop the frosted cupcakes.
This combination of colorful sprinkles inside and decorated tree toppers outside provides both visual appeal and a mix of textures from soft cupcake to crunchy pretzel. The cupcakes suit holiday parties and festive sharing occasions well.
The components can be prepared up to two days ahead and stored separately before assembling to keep the decorations crisp and frosting fresh. Assembled cupcakes may be stored at room temperature for several days.
Ingredients
Trees
- 24 pretzel sticks
- ½ (12-ounce) bag Candy Melts dark green color
- nonpareils for sprinkling
Cupcakes
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box white cake mix made according to package directions for cupcakes
- ½ cup Jimmy sprinkles red, white, and green
Frosting and Decor
- 1 cup butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- salt pinch
- ¼ cup half and half
Instructions
Christmas Trees
- Line a pan with parchment paper and add pretzel sticks. Melt 6-8 ounces of candy melts as directed and drizzle in a tree figure over pretzel sticks. Sprinkle with nonpareils before the melt sets. Set aside.
Cupcakes
- Make cupcakes as directed on the package, but before baking add ¼ cup Jimmy sprinkles to the batter. Scoop into cupcake liners.
- Bake cupcakes and let cool.
Frosting
- Beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and about a ¼ cup half and half. Add additional half and half as needed to make a smooth frosting. Increase the speed to high and beat 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Pipe onto the cooled cupcakes and top with Christmas trees.
Notes
- Add sprinkles directly to your favorite white cupcake batter for holiday colors.
- Assemble pretzel tree toppers by piping melted candy melts over pretzels on parchment and sprinkle with nonpareils before setting.
- Prepare pretzel trees, cupcakes, and frosting 1-2 days before serving for convenience; store separately until assembly.
- Store assembled cupcakes at room temperature for 3-5 days, removing pretzel trees if lids aren’t tall enough to avoid damage.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24cupcakes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 338 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cupcake | |
| Calories | 338kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 56g | 19% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 21mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 461mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 63mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 32g | 64% |
| Vitamin A | 245IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 58mg | 6% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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