Christmas Ornament Cupcakes

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These Christmas ornament cupcakes are a fun and festive holiday baking idea! Decorated with colorful frosting and candy, these Christmas themed cupcakes are easy to make and perfect for parties, gifts, and adding cheerful sparkle to your dessert table.

Prep Time1

Cook Time20

Total Time1 20

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: cupcakes

Author: Rachel Rodda

Equipment

3 Piping Tips And Bags
12 cupcake liners
1 muffin pan

Ingredients

1 vanilla box cake mix* plus ingredients on the box
1 cup salted butter melted, room temperature
4½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons milk
2 drops gel food coloring red and green
¼ cup gold sanding sugar
1 packet M&Ms
1 packet Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Instructions

Bake cupcakes: Prepare and bake the cupcakes according to the directions on the box. Let them cool completely before frosting.
Prepare the frosting: In a large mixing bowl, use a stand or hand mixer to beat the butter on medium speed for 1 minute. Add half the powdered sugar and mix thoroughly to combine. Add the remaining powdered sugar and blend until smooth.
Add the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of milk, mix to combine. If needed, add an extra tablespoon of milk, until the frosting reaches the desired consistency. You don't want it too thin or it won't hold its shape.
Divide the frosting: Place half the frosting into a piping bag, then separate the remaining frosting into two smaller bowls. Add 2 drops of red food coloring to the frosting in one bowl. Stir well and adjust to reach the color desired. Now add 2 drops of green food coloring to the frosting in the other bowl, stirring to combine and adjust as necessary. Add each of the colored frostings to its own piping bag with desired decorating tip.
Frost the cupcakes: Cut 12 medium squares of parchment paper (just bigger than the top of the cupcake). Pipe a single layer of plain frosting onto the center of each cupcake. Gently press each cupcake upside down onto a square of parchment paper - just enough to flatten the top. Place the cupcakes upside down in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to harden slightly.
Decorate the cupcakes: Remove the cupcakes from the freezer and gently peel off the parchment paper. Decorate each cupcake with a unique ornament pattern. Press some cupcakes into the gold sanding sugar. Pipe some with green and red frosting in varied designs. Arrange M&Ms in patterns.
Press a mini Reese's cup on to the top of each cupcake to complete the ornament look. Serve immediately!
Best enjoyed right away, you can store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days (see notes below).

Notes

Box Cake Mix: Ingredients, quantity of cupcakes, and baking time will vary depending on the brand. Follow the instructions on the box to make the cupcakes.

Cupcake flavor: Any flavor works great for this recipe.

Nutrition facts: Will not be accurate and will vary depending on the cake mix and decorations added to each cupcake.

Storing cupcakes: Once decorated, these cupcakes are best enjoyed the same day. After this time the colored frosting and the color from the M&Ms may start to leach into the plain frosting.

To reduce the chance of this happening, once your cupcakes are frosted and decorated, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition