Christmas cupcakes are the ultimate festive treat—easy to make, fun to decorate, and guaranteed to delight kids and adults alike. This recipe features soft, fluffy vanilla cupcakes topped with rich vanilla buttercream and simple, beginner-friendly designs like wreaths and trees. You don’t need fancy baking skills or professional piping tips to make these merry little masterpieces. Just a ziplock bag, a few sprinkles, and your holiday spirit will do the trick!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Cupcakes
- Soft and fluffy texture with rich vanilla flavor
- Kid-friendly decorating—no piping skills required
- Perfect for parties, cookie trays, and holiday gifts
- Simple, reliable recipe that works every time
- Customizable with food coloring, sprinkles, or boxed mix
Love holiday baking? Try Candy Cane Brownies, Christmas Sugar Cookies, or Hot Cocoa Cupcakes next!
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Cupcakes:
- 1¾ cups cake flour (not self-rising)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup salted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ⅓ cup full-fat sour cream
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup whole milk, room temperature
For the Vanilla Buttercream:
- 1 cup salted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Make the Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line cupcake pans with 16 paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add softened butter and mix on medium-low for 3 minutes until crumbly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream, oil, and vanilla.
- Add egg mixture to the flour and mix until combined.
- Slowly add milk and mix until batter is smooth and pourable.
- Fill liners halfway. Bake 14–16 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
2. Make the Buttercream
- In a stand mixer, beat butter for 2–3 minutes until fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla. Mix on low, then beat on high for 2 more minutes.
- Adjust texture with more cream (for softer) or more sugar (for stiffer).
Decorating Ideas
🎄 Christmas Tree Cupcakes
- Spread a white buttercream base.
- Use a star tip or snipped piping bag to make green swirls, zigzags, or piped stars in tree shape.
- Press a small pretzel at the bottom as the “trunk.”
- Decorate with sprinkles or edible stars.
🌿 Christmas Wreath Cupcakes
- Spread white frosting as a base.
- Pipe green stars in two concentric circles to form a wreath.
- Add a sprinkle bow, sugar pearls, or red dots for decoration.
⭐ No Tips? No Problem!
- Snip the corner of a ziplock bag to pipe trees or wreaths.
- Spread green frosting with a butter knife for a rustic look.
- Add candy, crushed peppermint, or mini ornaments for fun.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+30 min cooling)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour
- Servings: 16 standard cupcakes
Nutrition Facts (Per Cupcake – Estimated)
- Calories: ~320
- Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Sugar: 30g
- Protein: 2g
Tips & Variations
- Cool cupcakes completely before frosting or the buttercream will melt.
- Test piping consistency before filling your piping bag.
- Practice piping on parchment paper to avoid mistakes.
- Add sprinkles immediately before buttercream sets.
- Natural food coloring may add slight flavor—test first.
- Box mix swap? Go for it. This recipe works with any vanilla cupcake base.
FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes. Store unfrosted cupcakes at room temp up to 3 days. Store frosted cupcakes in the fridge up to 5 days.
Do I need a stand mixer?
No. A hand mixer works great for both the cupcake batter and buttercream.
Can I use store-bought frosting?
Yes! Just tint it with food coloring and decorate away.
How do I make vegan Christmas cupcakes?
Use plant-based milk, dairy-free butter, and egg replacer. Swap frosting with a vegan buttercream.
Conclusion
These Christmas cupcakes bring holiday cheer in every bite. With soft vanilla cake, rich buttercream, and playful decorations, they’re perfect for parties, gift boxes, or family baking nights. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, this recipe delivers both flavor and festive fun.