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Let me share these adorable Christmas tree cupcakes that'll be the star of your holiday party! I started making these with my kids using a simple box mix and they've become our favorite Christmas tradition. The green frosting swirls up like little trees topped with candy ornaments and gold stars they're as fun to make as they are to eat!
Why You'll Love These
- Super Simple
- Box mix makes the base quick and easy more time for decorating fun!
- Kid Friendly
- Little hands love adding those candy ornaments and stars.
- Party Perfect
- They look fancy but they're actually super easy to make.
Round Up These Ingredients
- The Base: Chocolate cake mix plus whatever box calls for.
- Festive Touch: Red cupcake liners for Christmas cheer.
- Frosting Base: Equal parts shortening and soft butter.
- Make It Sweet: Sifted powdered sugar clear vanilla milk.
- Tree Magic: Green gel color makes perfect pine color.
- Decorations: Yellow stars candy balls like ornaments.
- Special Tools: 1M piping tip makes perfect trees.
Let's Make Magic
- Build Your Base
- Start with your punch bowl big and clear shows off those pretty colors. Scoop in lime sherbet one spoonful at a time spread it around makes a nice green base. Don't pack it too tight needs room for the liquid!
- Add Your Liquids
- Pour in half the Sprite slow and gentle saves the bubbles. Then add your Hawaiian punch watch that green color come alive! Stir super gentle don't break up the sherbet too much.
- First Batch Ready
- Save the other half of your drinks for refills punch gets better as you go! Mix more batches through the party keeps everything fresh and fizzy.
- Fancy Those Glasses
- Here's where it gets fun! Pour some water in one plate red sugar in another. Dip each glass rim in water first just a quick dip. Then right into that red sugar twirl it around get good coverage. Set them up to dry while you finish the punch.
- Perfect Pour
- Once those sugared rims are set ladle in your punch. Go slow down the side keeps those bubbles alive! The green looks so pretty against that red sugar rim.
- Extra Special Touch
- Want to make it extra fancy? Float some fresh cranberries on top adds pretty red dots. Slice some oranges real thin float those too looks like ornaments in your punch!
- Keep It Going
- Watch your punch bowl when it gets low mix up another batch. Fresh sherbet new liquid keeps every glass perfect through the whole party.
- Serving Tips
- Keep extra glasses ready with sugar rims. Have backup sherbet in freezer saves prep time later. Remember punch tastes best nice and cold!
Make Them Perfect
- Time It Right
- Add decorations right after frosting they stick better when it's fresh.
- Get That Tree Shape
- Start wide at bottom swirl smaller as you go up just like a real tree!
- Room Temp Magic
- Warm frosting pipes easier makes prettier trees.
Mix It Up
- Switch The Cake
- Try vanilla red velvet any flavor works great!
- Play With Colors
- Green plaid liners gold sprinkles make them your own.
- Add Some Snow
- Dust with powdered sugar looks like fresh fallen snow.
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Keep Them Fresh
- Storage Tips
- Keep in airtight container week at room temp if they last that long!
- Make Ahead
- Bake cupcakes early decorate day of for freshest look.
- Party Ready
- Display on pretty stands makes them even more special.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What piping tip works best?
Use a 1M tip for the classic tree shape pattern.
- → Can I make these ahead?
Yes, bake cupcakes ahead but frost within 24 hours of serving.
- → Why use shortening and butter?
Shortening helps frosting hold shape better while butter adds flavor.
- → What's the best food coloring?
Gel food coloring provides brightest green without thinning frosting.
- → Can I freeze these?
Freeze unfrosted cupcakes only, decorate fresh.
- → How do I get the tree shape?
Pipe in circular motion starting from outside, moving up to create height.
- → Can I use homemade cake?
Yes, any chocolate cake recipe works well.
- → How should I store them?
Room temperature in sealed container up to 3 days.