Festive Christmas Wreath Cupcakes: Easy Holiday Recipe

These Christmas wreath cupcakes are the ultimate festive Christmas cupcake recipe. They’re almost too cute to eat!

In our home, baking is always extra magical as we gear up for Christmas. From baking the classic Christmas cookies, holiday fudge, and festive candies.

There is no shortage of baking in our home this time of year and I bet your house is the same!

What I especially love is Christmas recipes that allow us to really slow down and create lasting memories with each other. These Christmas wreath cupcakes do just that.

Decorating these cupcakes is a great family activity perfect for little hands that my kids love to participate in.

These chocolate cupcakes are so good they practically melt in your mouth. The best part is the piped-into cute wreaths on top with a chocolate ribbon and your favorite sprinkles.

They are the cupcakes that yell “Happy Holidays” at the holiday dessert table from across the room.

And my girl loves them because they are in “Frozen” colors and go well with her Elsa dress. They look like Elsa made them herself.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A fun activity for kids: Kids of all ages will love to help with these easy Christmas cupcakes! From helping with mixing ingredients, piping a wreath shape, and adding sprinkles, they make a perfect holiday activity.
• Uses simple ingredients: Most of the ingredients listed you may already have at home. With just a few extra things needed, this will quickly become a favorite cupcake recipe.
• Versatile sweet treat: The vibrant colors and elegant design can be presented in a variety of ways. Experiment with different colors and sprinkles for a wreath cupcake that fits any occasion!
• Great for gifting: These cupcake Christmas wreaths make a perfect treat. See below for ideas on how to present them to friends and family for the holiday season.

Ingredients Needed For Christmas Wreath Cupcakes

Ingredients for the cupcakes:

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup cold brew coffee
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Ingredients for the frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 1/8 tsp salt

Additional ingredients:

• Blue food coloring
• 1/4 cup white melting wafers
• Silicone ribbon mold
• Blue party sprinkles

TIP! If your butter is rock hard right from the refrigerator, here is how to soften butter to the right consistency needed for the frosting.

Step-by-Step Preparation With Pictures

Directions for the cupcakes:

1. Before you begin, preheat the oven to 350°F. Add cupcake liners to a cupcake pan. Set aside.

2. Melt the butter and add to a large stand mixer bowl with the paddle attachment or use a regular electric mixer. Add the oil, coffee, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla. Mix to combine.

3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl at a low speed. Scrape the sides of the bowl halfway through.

4. Scoop about 3 tablespoons of the dough into each cupcake liner. Bake for 22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. After baking, transfer to a wire rack to cool before frosting.

5. Start making the chocolate ribbons by melting the wafers in the microwave. Heat for 30 seconds at a time until they are completely melted. Learn how to melt chocolate to the right consistency.

6. Add the melted chocolate to the ribbon mold. Tap the mold on the surface to remove any air bubbles. Put the filled mold in the fridge for about 5 minutes to set.

7. Once the chocolate has been set, remove the ribbons from the mold.

Directions for the frosting:

1. To make the frosting, add butter to a large bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Mix on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes.

2. Once the butter has been creamed, turn the speed down to a low setting and slowly add the powdered sugar. Scrape the sides of the bowl.

3. Add the vanilla, cream, and salt. Mix on high for about 2 minutes.

4. Transfer the frosting to another bowl and then add a few drops of food coloring. Stir well. Continue to add more food coloring until you reach your desired shade.

5. Once you’re happy with it, transfer to a piping bag.

Directions to assemble:

1. To assemble the Christmas wreath cupcakes, pipe a circle on the outside edge around the cupcake in an overlapping pattern. For best results, use a large leaf tip. You may also opt to use a large star tip. Experiment with different piping nozzles to achieve your favorite look.

2. Add the white chocolate ribbon to the front and finish off with the sprinkles.

Decorating and Personalizing

• Try other frosting colors: Red or green buttercream frosting would also make a festive cupcake option. Try a variety of different decorations rather than choosing just one!
• Decorate pine cones: Add some chocolate to your frosting and pipe pinecones in the center.
• Use candy as a garnish: Add crushed candy cane or mini M&M pieces as another good garnish option and give a pop of color when paired with dark green frosting.
• Add little stars: Use yellow frosting or even fondant to add a star shape to your cupcake wreath.
• Turn it into a kids activity: Get your kids involved to see what other ideas they come up by experimenting with different wreath designs! Offer a variety of frosting colors, sprinkles, chocolate molds, and more. Have them get involved in the planning process to see what fun options you can serve.
• Try different cupcake flavors: If you’re not big on chocolate or want to offer more variety, you can make vanilla or swirl cupcakes.
• Fill the middle of the cupcakes: If you’re looking to add a more delicious touch, try filling the center of your cupcakes before decorating. You can add a cheesecake, chocolate, or jelly filling.

Serving Suggestions and Presentation

• Arrange the finished cupcakes on a tiered display, color-coordinated table display, or in the shape of a Christmas wreath.
• Incorporate your cupcakes at a dessert table by creating a tiered Christmas tree display, making it the centerpiece with chocolate blossom cookies and Christmas marshmallow pops, and pairing a station for hot chocolate.
• Gift to friends and family with themed gift boxes, holiday tins lined with tissue paper, or fun cupcake wrappers and toppers. You could also put the cupcake in a mason jar for a fun touch!
• Allow guests to decorate their cupcakes by setting out baked cupcakes paired with different frosting options, sprinkles, candy, and more. Kids especially will have so much fun!

Tips for Success

• Use gel food coloring: Gel food coloring will result in a much more vibrant color without sacrificing the quality of the frosting.
• Allow the cupcakes to cool completely: If your cupcakes are too hot, the frosting is going to stick to them, making it hard to decorate.
• Chill cupcakes after decorating: Letting your cupcakes sit in the fridge will allow the wreath decoration to solidify and maintain the elegant design.

Storage

• Storage: Store your Christmas wreath cupcakes in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Be sure they are cooled completely, however, or they may become soggy from trapped condensation.
• Make ahead: These cupcakes are great for making ahead of time when you need a lot of cupcakes. Make big batches of your favorite cupcakes and then decorate before serving.

One Last Thing

I know you’re going to love enjoying and decorating these beautiful Christmas wreath cupcakes! With the delicious cupcake and frosting flavor topped with decorations that are almost too cute to eat, there is no better Christmas cupcake recipe out there.

You’ll be the talk of your holiday party with these holiday cupcakes. Everyone will be swooning over how cute these cupcakes are!

Your kids will love to participate in decorating these fun cupcakes for the holiday season. There are so many fun ways to customize these to your liking. They’re sure to remember it for years to come.

Try these elegant Christmas cupcakes and they’ll instantly become part of your go-to holiday baking list. Happy baking and Merry Christmas!

If you need more ideas for bite-sized Christmas desserts, you’ll love these mini Christmas muffins and these delicious mini turtle cheesecakes.

Your Turn

If you make these beautiful Christmas wreath cupcakes, please take a moment to let me know how you liked them by leaving a rating and a comment below on the recipe card.

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