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Vanilla cupcakes topped with green Christmas tree frosting and star toppers, decorated with colorful sprinkles on a rustic wooden board with holiday lights in the background

Easy Christmas Tree Dessert: Festive Cupcake Cones

These adorable cupcake cones are decorated to look like mini Christmas trees, complete with green frosting, sprinkles, and a star topper. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings and fun to make with the whole family.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 525
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • green gel food coloring, to tint frosting
  • 12-18 sugar cones
  • assorted sprinkles, for decoration
  • edible star decorations

Equipment

  • 12-cup cupcake pan
  • paper cupcake liners
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Electric Hand Mixer
  • piping bags with large star tip e.g. Wilton 1M
  • Wire cooling rack
  • serving platter or board

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with paper liners. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In a medium bowl, cream the butter and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time.
  3. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full.
  4. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  5. To make the frosting, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until combined.
  6. Add heavy cream and vanilla. Beat until fluffy. Tint with green gel food coloring and mix until evenly colored.
  7. Invert cooled cupcake. Place a sugar cone on top to form the tree shape.
  8. Using a piping bag with a star tip, pipe frosting from the base of the cone up to the top, creating layers to mimic branches.
  9. Immediately decorate with sprinkles and top each tree with a star. Let frosting set 15-20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use boxed cake mix for convenience or customize with different flavors like chocolate or red velvet. Gel food coloring is best for vibrant green frosting. Decorate with your favorite candies or edible glitter. Make 1 day in advance for easier prep.