Description
These Christmas Tree Light Cupcakes are a festive holiday treat featuring moist chocolate cupcakes topped with swirls of vanilla frosting and decorated with colorful candy lights. Perfect for holiday parties, bake sales, or family fun.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box chocolate cupcake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 tub (16 oz) vanilla frosting
- 1 tube black decorating gel
- 1/2 cup M&M candies
- 12 cupcake liners
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional if making frosting from scratch)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, combine cupcake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Mix until smooth.
- Pour batter into liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Pipe vanilla frosting onto each cooled cupcake in a swirl.
- Use decorating gel to draw a curved line on the frosting resembling a string.
- Gently press M&M candies along the gel line to mimic holiday lights.
- Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve on a festive tray.
Notes
- Let cupcakes cool fully before decorating to prevent frosting from melting.
- Use piping bags for cleaner frosting swirls.
- Customize candy colors to match your holiday theme.