Cupcake Christmas Tree Tower (Printable)

Stack decorated cupcakes into a festive tree shape with green buttercream and ornaments

# Ingredient List:

→ Cupcakes

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - ¾ cup whole milk

→ Buttercream Frosting

10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2–3 tablespoons whole milk
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 - Green gel food coloring

→ Decorations

15 - Multicolored round sprinkles
16 - Edible gold star topper
17 - Mini candy canes or sugar pearls
18 - Shredded coconut

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
03 - Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
04 - Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter among liners, filling 2/3 full. Bake 18–20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk for desired consistency. Tint with green food coloring.
07 - Pipe buttercream in tall swirls on each cooled cupcake using a large star tip.
08 - Arrange cupcakes in a tree formation: 7 at base, then 6, 5, 4, 2, and 1 at top to form a triangle.
09 - Decorate with sprinkles as ornaments. Place gold star at peak. Add candy canes, pearls, or coconut for extra flair.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • People will literally pull out their phones before they even grab a fork because the presentation is that stunning
  • The cupcakes themselves are incredibly moist and the buttercream is that perfect balance of sweet without being overwhelming
02 -
  • Completely cool cupcakes before frosting or your buttercream will melt right off that warm cake
  • Gel food coloring is worth the extra trip to the baking aisle because liquid coloring will wreck your frosting consistency
03 -
  • Make cupcakes and frosting a day ahead, then assemble the tree just before serving to keep everything fresh
  • Use a small dab of buttercream on the bottom of each cupcake to anchor them to your serving board

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