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5.0 from 18 votes

Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Vanilla cupcakes are turned into festive Christmas trees with the help of inverted ice cream cones that are decorated with green whipped cream! A no-mixer, one-bowl cupcake recipe that's so EASY!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 388 kcal
Course: Cake
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cupcakes
  • 2 large eggs at room temp
  • ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Whipped Cream and Decorating* (See Notes, Important)
  • 1 cup heavy or whipping cream very cold** (See Notes)
  • ¼ cup confectioners’s sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 12 pointed-tip sugar cookie ice cream cones
  • green food coloring as desired
  • Yellow stars optional for decorating

Instructions

Cupcake:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a standard 12-count cupcake pan with foil red or green cupcake liners; set aside.
  2. To a large bowl, add the eggs, oil, sugar, and whisk to combine.
  3. Add the vanilla and whisk to combine.
  4. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and stir until just combined; don't overmix.
  5. Evenly divide batter into prepared pan making sure to fill each cavity about 2/3-full.
  6. Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until cupcakes are done. They're done when the center is set, springy to the touch, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Tip - For optimal results, bake on the center oven rack and rotate once midway through for the most even baking.
  7. Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan while you make the whipped cream.
Whipped Cream:
  1. To the bowl (a chilled bowl is better) of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or handheld electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the cream, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and beat on high speed for about 90 to 120 seconds, or until stiff peaks form; stop to scrape down the bowl as necessary.
Assembly:
  1. Using a butter knife or spoon, spread a thin layer of whipped cream over the top of each cupcake.
  2. Add an inverted ice cream cone*** (See Notes) to the top of each cupcake, using the whipped cream to help secure it; set aside.
  3. To the remaining whipped cream, add green food coloring, as desired until desired shape is achieved. Tip - I recommend gel food coloring for the most intense green color results. Mix well to make sure it's evenly combined.
  4. Spread a thin layer of green whipped cream over the ice cream cones on the top of each cupcake.
  5. Add the green food coloring to a silicone piping bag fitted with a coupler (or your favorite style of piping bag) and a star tip.
  6. Beginning at the base of the cone (largest part), pipe star-shaped dollops and work your way up, piping star-shaped dollops as you go; repeat process with all 12 cupcakes.
  7. Optionally, add a yellow star at the top of each Christmas tree for a more festive look.
  8. Serve immediately or store airtight in the fridge before serving. Cupcakes will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • *The recipe for the whipped cream as written makes 2 cups which is enough to decorate with. However, if you're not experienced with a piping bag and decorating, I suggest doubling the recipe as written to ensure you will have enough whipped cream. Trying to make more later, after you've tinted it green will not work and the shades of green won't match exactly so better to just double the recipe as written from the get-go.
  • **Use heavy cream or whipping cream for the whipped cream. Do not use half-and-half or milk. While you can whip coconut cream, unless you are an experienced baker, just stick with heavy or whipping cream. Make sure the cream is very cold. Even better, chill your mixing bowl for 20 minutes in the fridge before you use it. The colder everything is, the better results you’ll have with nice stiff peaks.
  • ***You can fill the ice cream cones with M&Ms (mini or regular sized) or chocolate chips (mini or regular sized) for an added element of surprise when eating the holiday cupcakes. Fill them about halfway and then very quickly flip them onto the cupcakes so you don't lose your treasures.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 388kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 53g (18%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 9g Cholesterol 67mg (22%) Sodium 481mg (20%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 32g (64%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 388

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 388kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 53g 18%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9g 53%
Cholesterol 67mg 22%
Sodium 481mg 20%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 32g 64%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.