Christmas Tree Cupcakes Tower (Print View)
A towering display of vanilla cupcakes with green buttercream frosting, arranged in a tree shape and adorned with colorful sprinkles and a golden star topper.
# Ingredient List:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - ¾ cup whole milk
→ Buttercream Frosting
10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2–3 tablespoons whole milk
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 - Green gel food coloring
→ Decorations
15 - Multicolored round sprinkles
16 - Edible gold star topper
17 - Mini candy canes or sugar pearls
18 - Shredded coconut
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
04 - Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about 2/3 full. Bake 18–20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk for desired consistency. Tint with green gel food coloring.
07 - Pipe buttercream in tall swirls on each cooled cupcake using a large star tip.
08 - Arrange cupcakes in tree shape: 7 at base, then 6, 5, 4, finishing with 2 and 1 at top to form triangle.
09 - Decorate with sprinkles as ornaments. Place gold star topper at peak. Add candy canes, pearls, or coconut for extra decoration.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its basically dessert and decor in one glorious package
- The arranging part feels like playing a delicious puzzle game
- People literally gasp when you bring it to the table
02 -
- Completely cool cupcakes before frosting or your buttercream will melt right off
- Practice your piping motion on a plate first if you are new to it
- Arrange your tree on the final serving board before piping to avoid moving them later
03 -
- Mix up your green frosting in one big batch so all your cupcakes match perfectly
- Keep a damp paper towel over your frosting bowl to prevent it from drying out while you work