Easy Christmas Cupcakes: Sweet, Simple, and Oh-So-Festive!

These Easy Christmas Cupcakes are the perfect balance of simplicity and festive cheer! With minimal ingredients and quick assembly, you’ll have a batch of delicious cupcakes in no time to spread some holiday joy. Let’s dive in!

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole milk

For the Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• Red and green gel food coloring (for festive coloring)

For Decoration:

• Holiday-themed sprinkles (red, green, gold)
• Mini candy canes or chocolate stars (for topping)
• Edible glitter or powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cupcakes

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
   In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
   Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, mixing until just combined.
6. Bake the Cupcakes:
   Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners (about 2/3 full). Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 2: Prepare the Buttercream Frosting

1. Beat the Butter:
   In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until creamy and smooth.
2. Add Powdered Sugar:
   Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until smooth.
3. Flavor and Color the Frosting:
   Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream (or milk) to achieve a smooth, pipeable consistency. Split the frosting into two portions and color one portion red and the other green using gel food coloring.

Step 3: Decorate the Cupcakes

1. Frost the Cupcakes:
   Using a piping bag fitted with a star or round tip, frost the cupcakes with the colored buttercream. You can do a swirl pattern with red on one half and green on the other, or alternate colors for a striped effect.
2. Add Decorations:
   Sprinkle festive holiday sprinkles (red, green, gold) over the frosting. For extra fun, add mini candy canes, chocolate stars, or any other holiday-themed decorations on top.
3. Optional Snow Effect:
   Dust the cupcakes lightly with powdered sugar or edible glitter for a snowy, magical touch.

Tips for Success

• Mixing: Be careful not to overmix the batter as this can make the cupcakes dense. Mix until just combined.
• Frosting Consistency: If the buttercream is too thick, add a little more heavy cream or milk. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
• Customizing: You can switch up the colors and decorations to fit your holiday theme, whether it’s red and green or icy blues and whites.

These Easy Christmas Cupcakes are as simple to make as they are festive. Whether you’re a beginner baker or just looking for a quick treat to share, these cupcakes will make your holiday season even sweeter!