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Home » Desserts » Chocolate Christmas Tree Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Chocolate Christmas Tree Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon Jessica Randhawa
November 29, 2020
5 from 6 votes


Last Updated November 29, 2020 | 0 Comments

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christmas tree cupcakes Pinterest pin collage image
christmas tree cupcakes Pinterest pin collage image
christmas tree cupcakes Pinterest pin collage image
christmas tree cupcakes Pinterest pin collage image
christmas tree cupcakes Pinterest pin collage image
christmas tree cupcakes Pinterest pin collage image

These Chocolate Christmas Tree Cupcakes are the cutest and most festive cupcakes ever! Made with chocolate cake mix and homemade vanilla buttercream frosting, these delicious Christmas Tree Cupcakes are almost too pretty to eat.

Cake stand filled with four Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and topped with a chocolate christmas tree topper.

I am so excited to share these festive and fun Christmas tree cupcakes with you all today. 

Christmas is my favorite holiday to plan for and decorate and these adorable little cupcakes are my number one must-have Christmas treat for home or holiday parties.

Made with pre-made chocolate cake mix, homemade vanilla buttercream dusted with coconut, and delicious green Christmas tree toppers made from melted white chocolate, everyone will love these delicious holiday cupcakes.

The best, and perhaps most surprising part of all? They’re incredibly easy to make. No fancy piping tips or techniques are required to make these awesome Christmas cupcakes.

Let’s get started!

Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and topped with a chocolate christmas tree topper.

Ingredients

  • Chocolate cake mix (Devil’s Food or Chocolate Fudge)
  • Eggs
  • Canola oil
  • Brewed coffee
  • Butter
  • Confectioner’s sugar (Powdered sugar)
  • Vanilla extract
  • Coconut shaving
  • Pocky Sticks
  • White chocolate
  • Green food coloring
  • Sprinkles

Pocky Sticks are chocolate-covered biscuit sticks. They were one of my favorite treats in the ’90s (when I was young) and are still popular today throughout Japan and other Asian countries. You will find them sold at Asian supermarkets, World Market (Cost Plus), and some Walmart and Target stores (among others). Your best bet, however, is to order them online.

Ingredients to make chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting and chocolate christmas tree toppers.

How to Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes

1. Prepare the chocolate cupcakes 

Since your cupcakes will need time to cool completely, I recommend starting with this step.

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners.
  • In a large bowl mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil, and coffee until smooth and well combined. 
  • Fill each cupcake liner approximately 2/3 the way full only. Careful not to fill higher than 2/3 full otherwise you may not have enough batter to make 12 cupcakes. 

Adding ingredients to make chocolate cupcake mix.

preparing chocolate cupcakes

2. Bake the chocolate cupcakes

  • Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remember that all ovens cook a little differently, so start checking for doneness around 15 minutes.
  • Transfer cupcakes to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely.

Fresh baked chocolate cupcakes

3. Make the Christmas tree toppers

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Layout the Pocky Sticks, leaving several inches between each stick to drizzle chocolate (see images).
  • Place the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well and continue to microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval and checking to see that chocolate has completely melted.
  • Add the food coloring and mix well until combined.
  • Transfer the chocolate to a piping bag (this will be much easier to maneuver) or ziplock bag with a small hole snipped in one corner. Pipe the chocolate over the sticks in the shape of a tree.
  • Before the chocolate solidifies, add sugar sprinkles, if desired.
  • Let cool at least for 20 minutes to harden up. You may speed things up by placing them in the fridge.

preparing chocolate christmas trees

Making individual chocolate Christmas tree toppers.

4. Make the vanilla buttercream frosting

  • Beat the butter in a large bowl on medium speed until creamy (approximately 2 minutes).
  • Add the confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar) and vanilla extract.
  • Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, increase speed to medium-high and beat for an additional 2 minutes. 

Frosting chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting.

5. Assemble the Christmas tree cupcakes

  • When the cupcakes have cooled completely, frost and sprinkle with coconut shavings.
  • Gently push one Christmas tree topper into the top of each cupcake.

Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and topped with a chocolate christmas tree topper.

You can easily prepare the chocolate cupcakes the day before, however, I do recommend preparing the frosting and tree toppers the day that you plan to serve them.

Enjoy!

Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and topped with a chocolate christmas tree topper.

More Christmas Desserts,

Gingerbread Caramel Corn Recipe

Cranberry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe (How to Make Sugar Cookies)

Ugly Sweater Sugar Cookie Bar Cutouts

If you make this Christmas Cupcake Recipe with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts. 

Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and topped with a chocolate christmas tree topper.

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Cake stand filled with four Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and topped with a chocolate christmas tree topper.

Chocolate Christmas Tree Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

5 from 6 votes
Chef: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa
These Chocolate Christmas Tree Cupcakes are the cutest and most festive cupcakes ever! Made with chocolate cake mix and homemade vanilla buttercream frosting, these delicious Christmas Tree Cupcakes are almost too pretty to eat.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 35 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
time to cool 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 55 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 cupcakes
Calories 514 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the Chocolate Cupcakes

  • 15 oz box chocolate cake mix - (Devil's Food or Chocolate Fudge)
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • 1 cup coffee - room temperature

For the Vanilla Buttercream

  • 1 cup unsalted butter - room temperature
  • 1½ cups confectioner's sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 oz coconut shavings

For the Christmas Tree Toppers

  • 12 Pocky Sticks
  • 4 oz white chocolate
  • green food coloring
  • sugar sprinkles
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Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners.
  • In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the cake mix, eggs, oil, and coffee. Mix until smooth and well combined. 
  • Fill each cupcake liner approximately 2/3 the way full only (careful not to exceed 2/3). 
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow cupcakes to cool completely.
  • For the vanilla frosting, beat the butter in a large bowl on medium speed until creamy (approximately 2 minutes). Add the confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar) and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, increase speed to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes. 
  • When the cupcakes have cooled completely, frost and sprinkle with coconut shavings.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Layout the Pocky sticks, leaving space between each to drizzle chocolate.
  • Place the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well and continue to microwave in 30-second intervals. Check that chocolate has completely melted.
  • Add the food coloring and mix well until combined.
  • Transfer the chocolate to a piping bag or ziplock bag with a small hole snipped in one corner. Pipe the chocolate over the sticks in the shape of a tree. Add sugar sprinkles, if desired.
  • Let cool at least for 20 minutes to harden up. You may speed things up by placing them in the fridge.
  • Gently push the bottoms of the trees into the tops of the cupcakes.

Jessica's Notes

  • Feel free to make this recipe with homemade cake mix or vanilla/white cake mix, if preferred.
  • Always wait until your cupcakes have cooled completely before frosting as warm cupcakes will melt the frosting.
  • Optional- top each Christmas tree with a small star. 
  • Pocky Sticks are available on Amazon.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 514kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 322mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 2mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Christmas Cupcakes Recipe, Christmas Tree Cupcakes
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About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

188 shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

About Jessica Randhawa

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

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Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica! Aka mom, wife, chef, and travel-obsessed photographer. Welcome to The Forked Spoon. Here you can browse hundreds of incredible family-friendly recipes covering dozens of diets, courses, and cuisines. Learn more about me.

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