Description
Delightful festive treats perfect for Christmas celebrations, these Candy Swirl Cupcakes are topped with vibrant green buttercream and festive decorations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for buttercream)
- Green food coloring (gel preferred)
- Peppermint candies or peppermint truffles (for decoration)
- Gold, white, and pearl sprinkles (for decoration)
- Crushed candy cane (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients in two parts, alternating with milk + sour cream.
- Mix just until combined—don’t overmix.
- Fill liners ⅔ full.
- Bake 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- Beat butter until creamy and pale for the buttercream.
- Add powdered sugar one cup at a time.
- Add heavy cream and vanilla; whip until fluffy.
- Tint with green food coloring until you reach a vibrant “tree” shade.
- Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- Pipe tall, swirled “tree-shaped” peaks on each cupcake.
- Add gold, pearl, and white sprinkles as ornaments.
- Top each cupcake with a peppermint swirl candy or truffle.
- Add crushed candy cane for sparkle if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened for easy mixing.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cupcakes light and fluffy.
- Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant color.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg