Christmas Wreath Cupcakes Recipe

Here’s a fun and festive recipe for Christmas Wreath Cupcakes  delightful cupcakes decorated to look like a beautiful wreath, perfect for your holiday celebrations! These cupcakes are not only delicious but also make a fun and eye-catching treat for any Christmas gathering.

Christmas Wreath Cupcakes Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red cherries (or dried cranberries for a festive look)

For the Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Green food coloring (gel food coloring works best for vibrant color)
• Red sprinkles or candies (for the “holly berries”)
• Edible glitter or gold dust (optional)

For Decoration:

• Green sugar sprinkles (optional for extra sparkle)
• Mini candy canes or red gumdrops (optional for decoration)

Instructions:

1. Make the Cupcakes:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream and milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
• Gently fold in the chopped red cherries or cranberries.
• Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
• Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Make the Buttercream Frosting:

• In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing until smooth.
• Add the heavy cream or milk, vanilla extract, and a few drops of green food coloring. Continue to beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and the desired shade of green.
• If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.

3. Frost the Cupcakes:

• Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, use a piping bag fitted with a star tip (like a 1M or 2D) to pipe the green buttercream in a wreath shape on top of each cupcake. Start from the outside edge and work your way in, making small “swirls” to create a wreath look.
• To decorate, place a few red sprinkles, red gumdrops, or mini candy canes in the center of each wreath to mimic holly berries and a festive touch. You can also use edible glitter or gold dust for a little extra sparkle.

4. Serve:

• These Christmas Wreath Cupcakes are now ready to impress your guests! Serve them at your Christmas party or as a holiday treat for family and friends.

Tips:

• For added flavor, you can also include a teaspoon of orange zest or almond extract to the cupcake batter for a festive twist.
• You can make the cupcakes ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• For a more elaborate wreath, you can pipe multiple layers of green frosting to create a fuller, more dimensional wreath effect.

These Christmas Wreath Cupcakes are both delicious and festive, making them the perfect addition to your holiday dessert table!