Blog Updated 11/09/2024: Let's make the PERFECT Christmas Tree Cupcakes for the holiday season! Anyone can do this cupcake and here's Ed to teach you how!
First, Let's Color Buttercream with Vibrant Green Food Color
Master Elite Food Colors are INCREDIBLE for any type of buttercream, including this hybrid Swiss Meringue Buttercream he's working with (recipe and video below), but you need to first ACTIVATE the color FIRST! As you may have noticed, Master Elites are raw pigment food colors and the color you see in the jar is not ultimately the color you will get when using inside of your confection! They must be activated by moisture. The Master Elite will bloom instantly when in contact with moisture. Here Ed is using 1 tbs of heavy cream for his Emerald Buttercream (click here).
While the "melting method" has been taught before here on our page, Ed prefers activating Master Elites with a little bit of heavy cream instead! It's a little more simple.
Full Tutorial - How To Use Master Elites (CLICK HERE)!
Now that our Gel Colors exist, you can certainly color your buttercream with Emerald Gel Color (click here) and skip all the melting method steps. :) Just gradually add drops of the Emerald Gel Color until you reach a tone lighter than your desired tone - remember, colors INTENSIFY as they sit inside of your icings!Here's a free Swiss Meringue Buttercream Recipe, brought to you by The Cake Guy Himself - if you'd like to give this buttercream a whirl! He loves the stability of this buttercream, and be sure to watch the full video below for all instructions.
Ed's Hybrid Swiss Meringue Buttercream Recipe
What you'll need:
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup pasteurized egg whites
- 2 pounds powdered sugar
- 2 pounds butter (8 softened sticks)
How to Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes Using Ice Cream Cones
Christmas baking is all about creating treats that capture the festive spirit, and Christmas tree cupcakes made with ice cream cones are the perfect way to bring that holiday charm to your dessert table! These adorable cupcakes not only look like tiny Christmas trees but are also fun to make and decorate. With a cupcake base and an ice cream cone “tree,” you can create a magical holiday forest that everyone will love. Let’s dive into a step-by-step guide on making these delightful Christmas tree cupcakes, along with tips and decorating ideas to make them truly unforgettable.
Sugar Art Products Needed - We used Master Elite Emerald when this video was produced, but you can certainly do the new Green Gel Color!
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Ingredients You’ll Need for Christmas Tree Cupcakes
To create these Christmas tree cupcakes, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:
- Cupcake Base: Choose your favorite cupcake flavor—chocolate, vanilla, or peppermint work wonderfully for the season.
- Ice Cream Cones: Sugar cones are ideal for forming the Christmas trees since they have a pointed top.
- Buttercream Frosting: Use green-tinted buttercream to cover the cones, giving them the look of a pine tree.
- Master Elite OR Our Gel Food Coloring: Use green gel food coloring to achieve a vibrant tree color.
- Decorative Sprinkles If Desired: Mini sprinkles, star-shaped candies, and edible glitter add the perfect finishing touches.
- Edible Glitter as Snow on The Christmas Tree Cupakes: Sprinkling our Rainbow Edible Glitter on the green buttercream cone will make it look like beautiful, sparkling snow!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Christmas Tree Cupcakes with Ice Cream Cones
Let’s break down the process into easy steps so you can bring these adorable Christmas tree cupcakes to life.
Step 1: Bake the Cupcakes
Start by baking a batch of cupcakes in your favorite flavor. Chocolate or vanilla are classic choices, but flavors like gingerbread or peppermint will add a festive twist. Follow your recipe, and allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
Step 2: Prepare the Buttercream Frosting
While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare a batch of buttercream frosting. Divide the frosting, and tint the majority of it with green gel food coloring for the Christmas trees. Leave a small amount white if you’d like to add snow effects around the base of the trees or on the cupcake itself.
Step 3: Attach the Ice Cream Cones
Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, it’s time to set up the “trees.” First, take the white buttercream and make a small mound, using an offset spatula. Then, with the green buttercream ice a "base" directly on the cone itself, before placing the cone on the white mound (as demonstrated in the video).
Ed preferred to pipe most leaves first by holding it in his hand, and then finished off the bottom once he placed the cone on top. But you can certainly do all the leaf piping after placing it on the cupcake!
Step 4: Frost the Ice Cream Cone Trees
Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip, pipe the green frosting around each cone. Start at the bottom and work your way up, using short bursts to create textured layers that resemble branches. Continue piping until the entire cone is covered, making sure no part of the cone is visible.
Pro Tip: For a fuller, more textured look, vary the length of each piped burst to mimic the natural variation of pine tree branches.
Step 5: Decorate Your Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Now that you have your frosted trees, it’s time to decorate! Here are a few ideas to get started:
- Ornaments: Use small round sprinkles, mini candies, or edible pearls as ornaments. Place them randomly around the tree for a playful, festive look.
- Garland: Drizzle white frosting in a zigzag pattern to create a garland effect, or use silver or gold edible beads to mimic the sparkle of tinsel.
- Star Topper: Place a small star-shaped candy or sprinkle on the top of each tree to complete the look.
Creative Decorating Ideas for Christmas Tree Cupcakes
These Christmas tree cupcakes can be customized in countless ways to make them uniquely yours. Here are a few ideas to make your cupcakes stand out:
1. Snow-Dusted Trees
- After decorating, lightly dust the trees with powdered sugar or edible white glitter to create a frosty effect. This will give the impression of freshly fallen snow on your Christmas trees.
2. Add Edible Glitter for Extra Sparkle
- For a glamorous look, use edible glitter or shimmer powder. Dust the entire tree or just the edges to add sparkle. Gold, silver, or iridescent glitter can give your Christmas tree cupcakes a magical, wintery feel.
3. Frosted White Tree Variation
- If you’d like a snowy tree effect, use white frosting for the cone instead of green. Pipe it in the same style, and add silver and white decorations for a chic, snowy Christmas tree look.
4. Use Different Sprinkles for a Pop of Color
- Red, gold, and silver ball sprinkles look beautiful against the green frosting, while pastel or metallic decorations give a more whimsical look. Feel free to mix colors and shapes to match your holiday theme.
5. Add a Winter Wonderland Base
- Pipe a layer of white frosting around the base of the tree to create the look of snow. For an extra touch, sprinkle with desiccated coconut, white nonpareils, or white sugar crystals for texture.
Tips for Making the Best Christmas Tree Cupcakes
- Use High-Quality Food Coloring: Using a high-quality gel color like The Sugar Art’s green gel will give you a vibrant hue that doesn’t water down the frosting. This is an older video, so we used Master Elite Food Color - but the Emerald Green Gel would be perfect and easier, too!
Emerald Green Gel Food Color
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- Keep the Frosting Consistent: For a smooth decorating process, make sure the frosting has a firm, but spreadable consistency. If it’s too soft, the details may not hold well, especially on the textured branches.
- Chill Before Serving: Once decorated, place the cupcakes in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to allow the frosting to set. This can help the decorations stay in place if transporting or storing the cupcakes.
Serving and Displaying Your Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Christmas tree cupcakes are a stunning addition to any holiday dessert table. Here are a few ways to present and serve them beautifully:
1. Cupcake Forest Display
- Arrange your cupcakes in a circular pattern on a cake stand, creating a miniature forest look. Fill in any gaps with small decorative snowflakes, edible glitter, or miniature presents to create a festive scene.
2. Individual Cupcake Boxes for Gifts
- Package each Christmas tree cupcake in a clear cupcake box and tie with a festive ribbon for a charming holiday gift. You can add a small holiday tag for a personal touch.
3. Layered Snowy Scene
- Place a layer of shredded coconut or white sprinkles on a tray to resemble snow, then arrange the cupcakes on top. The “snow” will help enhance the wintery, festive feel of the Christmas tree cupcakes.
Storing and Transporting Christmas Tree Cupcakes
To keep your Christmas tree cupcakes looking fresh and festive, here are a few storage tips:
Room Temperature Storage: If you plan to serve the cupcakes within a day, you can keep them at room temperature in an airtight container. Just make sure the room is cool, as warm temperatures can cause the frosting to soften.
Refrigeration for Longer Storage: Store the cupcakes in the refrigerator if you plan to keep them for more than a day. This will help maintain the texture and prevent the decorations from sliding. Before serving, let the cupcakes sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Transporting Tips: For holiday events, transport your cupcakes in a cupcake carrier to prevent them from shifting. Adding a bit of tape or a dab of frosting at the base of each cone can also help secure them to the cupcake, making them less likely to tip.
Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes Part of Your Holiday Tradition
Creating Christmas tree cupcakes with ice cream cones is a fun and festive way to celebrate the season. These cupcakes not only look like tiny trees, but they’re also delicious and versatile, making them perfect for holiday gatherings, school parties, or as gifts for friends and family. By following these tips and getting creative with decorations, you can create a truly magical dessert that brings the holiday spirit to life. Enjoy baking, decorating, and sharing these delightful Christmas tree cupcakes with everyone this season!
How To Use Edible Glitter on Cakes
Our Edible Glitter is the #1 Edible Glitter for cakes, cookies and any confections! DiamonDust was created in 2019 and took the industry by storm! It is an original idea from Ed Frys, Owner of The Sugar Art and we had never seen a product like it before.
Learn all about DiamonDust, what it is, how best to use it depending on the confection, etc. at the link below!
Full Breakdown of Edible Glitter, DiamonDust, and all the ways to use it (CLICK HERE)!
THANK YOU!
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