Christmas Wreath Cupcakes

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Christmas Wreath Cupcakes are fluffy vanilla cupcakes topped with a swirl of creamy vanilla buttercream and finished with an edible wreath made with green icing and candy. How fun are these?!!

This easy recipe is a great way to add a sparkle to your holiday dessert table.

Pretty Christmas Wreath Cupcakes on a cooling wrack.

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What makes this recipe irresistible
Ingredients
Variations
Step-by-step instructions
Watch and learn: recipe video
Essential tools for this recipe
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
Deb’s tips for the perfect dish
How to store leftovers
More recipes you’ll love
Holiday Wreath Christmas Cupcakes

What makes this recipe irresistible

These cupcakes are a holiday must-have, combining simple ingredients with unbeatable flavor. They’re incredibly easy to make, making them perfect for all your festive celebrations!

What makes them truly special? They’re a fun and delicious way to create memories with your loved ones! Let the kids join the fun by sprinkling on colorful decorations, turning baking into a cherished family tradition.

With their festive look they will be the talk of your holiday party, plus they taste great!

Ingredients

Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.

Variations

Change up the flavor of your cupcakes by using a chocolate cake mix, or even a red velvet cake mix for a chocolate cupcake base.
Feel free to get creative with the toppings for your wreath, I used red twizlers to make the bow. You could also use a small dollop of red frosting or candy bows.
There are so many different ways to add additional decoration to your wreaths. Holly-shaped sprinkles, silver or gold balls, also a sprinkle of sanding sugar for a little sparkle will look great and create a variety of textures on your cupcakes. Have fun with it!

Step-by-step instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the recipe card. Click on the photo to enlarge it up for clear instruction!

Preheat oven according to package instructions.
Follow the package instructions and bake the cupcakes. Allow them to cool completely.
To make the frosting, combine softened butter, powdered sugar milk and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Using a mixer, beat until smooth and fluffy.
Place ⅓ of the frosting in a bowl, set aside.
To the remaining buttercream frostring, add several drops of green food coloring to the frosting and continue mixing until it's a Christmas green.
Cover the top of the cupcake with the buttercream. Next, using the green frosting, carefully dot around the circumference of each cupcake.
Top with sprinkles around the "wreaths" to resemble a holiday wreath.

Watch and learn: recipe video

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Essential tools for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)

How do you pipe a cupcake wreath?

I've found the best way to design the wreath is to pipe one or two circles of frosting in the shape of a wreath on top of the cupcake. Also, you can use any tip to get the shape you like. A small star tip or a leaf tip works great.

What kind of food coloring should I use?

You can use any type of food coloring that you have on hand. A liquid food coloring may thin your frosting a bit so watch the consistency as you mix it. I prefer using gel food coloring for this recipe.

How do you know when cupcakes are done?

When you can insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake and it comes out clean, it's done!

Vanilla cupcake decorated to look like a Christmas wreath.

Deb’s tips for the perfect dish

Don't have a piping bag? No problem! Snip off the tip of the corner of a large Ziplock bag. Add the piping tip. Next add the frosting and squeeze it down into one corner.

Don't overmix your cupcake batter, you want to mix it until it's just combined, Never mix it for more than two minutes, otherwise, you may have tough cupcakes.
Make sure that you cool your cupcakes completely before you frost them, otherwise, your icing may melt off.

How to store leftovers

Leftovers? Who's going to have leftovers, 😋 - seriously these are so good! But, if you do - great news. Cupcakes keep well and freeze great!

Refrigerate - If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you have some cupcake storage cases those well to keep them fresh.

Freezer - Store your cupcakes in a freezer safe airtight container for up to three months. If you are planning to freeze your cupcakes I recommend that you freeze them unfrosted, as the green frosting may run when thawed.

Holiday Christmas Wreath Cupcakes displayed on a cookie sheet.

More recipes you’ll love

Here are some amazing holiday treat! Just click on the photo to take you right to the recipe!

Christmas Puppy Chow is a sweet treat that is loved by kids and adults alike. With a combination of butter, chocolate chips, and Christmas-colored M&Ms it's the perfect snack to share.
White Chocolate Dipped Oreos are festive treats that everyone will love. Because you can decorate them with sprinkles or crushed candy canes for a delicious holiday treat!
Snowman Soup is the perfect gift for your friends and neighbors this holiday season.

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