Name: Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ¼ cups cake flour; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup buttermilk; ¼ cup milk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ cup vegetable oil; 4 egg whites; 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature; 8 cups powdered sugar; 4 tablespoons milk; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon salt; Green gel food coloring, as needed; Sprinkles and toppings of your choice

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 125 reviews

If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and absolutely delightful treat this holiday season, you’re in for a real treat with this Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe. I promise, these cupcakes aren’t just adorable — they’re fluffy, buttery, and topped with the most enchanting green frosting that your family and friends will swoon over. When I first tried this, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to turn a simple cupcake into a mini Christmas tree masterpiece. Stick around because these cupcakes will become your new holiday tradition.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive and Fun: The cupcake design makes holiday baking joyful and visually appealing.
Light and Fluffy Texture: Buttermilk and whipped egg whites give the cupcakes a tender crumb.
Buttery, Creamy Frosting: The homemade frosting is worth the effort and pipes like a dream.
Perfect for Gifting: Beautifully decorated, they make a thoughtful homemade gift or party treat.

Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe come together to create cupcakes that are moist, flavorful, and perfect for decorating. I always recommend using fresh ingredients and real buttermilk for the best results. Also, having good quality vanilla extract really makes a difference in the flavor.

Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe - Ingredients

Cake flour: Gives the cupcakes their tender crumb—avoid all-purpose for best texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens while keeping the texture light.
Baking powder & baking soda: These leavening agents help your cupcakes rise just right.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and moisture, making the cupcakes soft.
Milk: Helps thin the batter for a smooth consistency.
Vanilla extract: Boosts the warm, inviting aroma and taste.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the cupcakes moist longer than butter.
Egg whites: Whipped to medium-stiff peaks for extra fluffiness.
Unsalted butter: Room temperature for creamy, rich frosting.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.
Green gel food coloring: For that perfect Christmas tree shade without thinning the frosting.
Sprinkles and toppings: Let your creativity shine with colorful decorations to mimic ornaments and lights!

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love to mix things up with this Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe depending on the mood or occasion. It’s such a flexible foundation that you can easily add your own spin to make it uniquely yours.

Chocolate Variation: Swap half the cake flour with cocoa powder for chocolate cupcake trees — my kids go wild for this twist.
Vanilla Bean Frosting: Add scraped vanilla bean seeds to the frosting for a more intense vanilla flavor and speckled look.
Dairy-Free Version: Use almond or oat milk and vegan butter substitutes; the cupcakes still turn out moist and delicious.
Nutty Surprise: Fold in chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for a subtle crunch hidden inside the cupcake.

How to Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line two muffin tins with your favorite cupcake liners—this helps the cupcakes bake evenly and makes clean-up a breeze. I like to use liners with a bit of holiday flair if I can find them; it sets the mood before you even dig in!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and whisk together cake flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Doing this first ensures an even distribution of leavening agents so your cupcakes rise perfectly.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients and Fold in Whipped Egg Whites

In another bowl, mix buttermilk, milk, vanilla, and vegetable oil with your dry ingredients until just combined. Now here’s the trick I discovered: whip the egg whites separately until they form medium-stiff peaks. This makes your cupcakes wonderfully airy — then gently fold the whites into the batter, being careful not to deflate them.

Step 4: Bake Your Cupcakes

Using a small cookie scoop, fill cupcake liners halfway with batter. You might be tempted to fill them more, but trust me—it’s key not to. Overfilling causes cupcakes to domed over and lose that perfect base for frosting. Bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the tops bounce back when pressed lightly. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Step 5: Whip Up the Frosting

With a stand mixer, beat together room temperature butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Start slow so the sugar incorporates without a cloud of dust, then crank up the speed as the mix thickens. Add green gel food coloring little by little to reach your desired Christmas tree green. Beat on high for about 10-15 minutes until you get a fluffy, white frosting—that’s the secret to a frosting that pipes beautifully.

Step 6: Pipe, Decorate, and Enjoy!

Spoon your frosting into a piping bag fitted with a fluted tip, and pipe it onto the cupcakes in a swirling motion to mimic tree branches. Then let the fun begin: decorate with sprinkles, edible pearls, or tiny candy stars to transform them into festive mini Christmas trees. My family goes crazy for this step, and I love how it lets everyone’s creativity shine.

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe

Whip Egg Whites Separately: Whipping egg whites to medium-stiff peaks before folding adds extra lift and lightness to your cupcakes.
Don’t Overfill Cupcake Liners: Halfway full is perfect to avoid cupcake overflow and to keep the base flat for easy decorating.
Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel colors won’t thin your frosting like liquid colors do, so your piping stays crisp and smooth.
Pipe Slowly and Steadily: Take your time piping the tree shape for a clean, beautiful finish — practice on parchment if needed.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe

Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually stick with classic holiday sprinkles—tiny red and gold balls, silver stars, and edible glitter. Occasionally, I add mini candies or crushed peppermint for a festive crunch. These little extras make every cupcake look like it’s ready to grace a holiday party table.

Side Dishes

These cupcakes are sweet enough to stand on their own but go beautifully alongside a mug of hot cocoa or a spiced holiday punch. If you want to serve a snack plate, cheese, nuts, and fruits around the cupcakes create a balanced festive spread.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve found that arranging the cupcakes on a tiered cake stand shaped like a Christmas tree really wows the guests. You could also place them on a large tray with powdered sugar dusted underneath to mimic “snow,” or package them individually in clear boxes tied with holiday ribbons for gifting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I recommend keeping them out of direct sunlight and away from strong odors, so the frosting stays fresh and the cupcake texture remains tender.

Freezing

Freezing these cupcakes works great if you frost them after thawing. Freeze the unfrosted cupcakes in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, let them thaw completely at room temperature before decorating. I always label mine to keep holiday baking stress-free.

Reheating

Should you want to warm leftovers, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave works wonders. Just be careful not to melt the frosting — better to remove frosting first or only warm the cupcake base if possible.

FAQs

Can I make this Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the cupcakes up to 2 days in advance and keep them covered tightly. The best tip is to frost them the day you plan to serve for the freshest look and taste.
What’s the best way to get the green frosting color right?

Using gel food coloring is key because it provides vibrant color without changing the texture of your frosting. Add it gradually—start with a little, then increase until you get that perfect Christmas tree green.
Can I use whole eggs instead of just egg whites?

While you can, I recommend sticking with whipped egg whites for this recipe. It adds extra air, making the cupcakes lighter and fluffier—something you’ll really notice in the texture.
How do I make the frosting stiff enough for piping?

Beat the frosting on high speed for at least 10 minutes. This aerates the butter and sugar, making it light, fluffy, and perfect for piping detailed designs like the Christmas tree.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Tree Cupcakes Recipe combines simple ingredients with a festive spirit to bring joy to any holiday gathering. Baking these cupcakes always puts me in the Christmas mood, and sharing them with my family makes the season feel extra special. I hope you’ll give this recipe a whirl and make it your own — it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face and on the faces of everyone lucky enough to taste one!