Festive Christmas Tree Cupcake Wreath with Buttercream Topping

This Christmas Tree Cupcake Wreath is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday dessert table! Made with delicious cupcakes, decorated in a festive tree shape, and topped with vibrant buttercream, it’s a sweet, whimsical addition to your holiday festivities. Here’s how to make it!

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Green gel food coloring (optional)

For the Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2–4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• Green gel food coloring
• Red and gold sprinkles (for decoration)

For the Wreath and Decorations:

• Holiday-themed sprinkles (red, white, green, gold)
• Mini candy canes (optional, for accent)
• Star-shaped candies or edible stars (for tree toppers)
• Small green edible leaves or rosemary sprigs (for holly accents)

Instructions

Step 1: Bake 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, baking powder, baking soda, 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 buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
6. Optional Green Color:
   If you want a green hue to your cupcakes, add a few drops of green gel food coloring to the batter and mix until fully incorporated.
7. Bake the Cupcakes:
   Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 2: Make the Buttercream Frosting

1. Beat the Butter:
   In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add Powdered Sugar:
   Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined, then increase the speed to medium and beat until fluffy.
3. Add Vanilla and Cream:
   Mix in the vanilla extract, then slowly add the heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
4. Color the Frosting:
   Divide the frosting into two portions. Color one portion green using the gel food coloring for the tree, and keep the rest white or a different color for other decorations.

Step 3: Assemble the Wreath

1. Arrange the Cupcakes:
   On a large serving platter or cake board, arrange the cooled cupcakes in a circular shape, making sure they are close enough to create the wreath effect. You’ll need 12–16 cupcakes, depending on the size of your circle.
2. Frost the Cupcakes:
   Using the green buttercream, pipe a swirl of frosting on each cupcake, starting from the center and working outward. Make sure the frosting slightly overlaps onto the neighboring cupcakes to create a continuous, tree-like shape.
3. Add Decorations:
   • Sprinkle the cupcakes with festive sprinkles (red, gold, white).
   • Place small star-shaped candies or edible stars at the top of some cupcakes to represent tree toppers.
   • For an extra touch, add mini candy canes or small green edible leaves (or rosemary sprigs) around the wreath to mimic holly.
4. Create the Wreath Effect:
   If desired, lightly dust the wreath with edible glitter or powdered sugar to give it a “snowy” effect. Add more sprinkles or mini decorations to fill in the gaps.

Step 4: Final Touches

1. Serve & Enjoy:
   Your Christmas Tree Cupcake Wreath is now ready to be the highlight of your holiday spread! This colorful and delicious dessert is sure to bring joy to anyone who sees (and tastes) it.

Tips for Success:

• Cupcake Size: Make sure your cupcakes are all roughly the same size for a balanced wreath shape.
• Pipe the Frosting in Swirls: For a more “tree-like” appearance, pipe frosting in layers or swirls to mimic the branches of a Christmas tree.
• Customization: Feel free to get creative with the decorations! You can add edible glitter, colored candies, or anything that fits your holiday theme.

This Festive Christmas Tree Cupcake Wreath is a deliciously fun and easy way to add a touch of holiday magic to your celebration. Perfect for kids and adults alike, it’s sure to be a festive favorite!