Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Boxed cake mix (or store-bought cupcakes), pretzel sticks, and melted candy wafers turn everyday cupcakes into an easy holiday dessert.

Christmas Tree Cupcakes are an easy way to add a festive dessert to your holidays or that bake sale your kid signed you up for.

You don’t need to have cake decorating skills or own fancy piping tips. All you need are candy melts, pretzels, and mini candies or sprinkles to make even store-bought cupcakes look like something out of a Hallmark movie.

Jump to:

• Christmas Cupcakes Highlights
• What You'll Need
• Step by Step Directions
• Make-Ahead & Storage
• More Easy Christmas Desserts to Check Out
• PIN FOR LATER
• Recipe
• Comments

Christmas Cupcakes Highlights

• Easy shortcut using boxed cake mix (or buy cupcakes, I won't tell)
• Perfect for dessert tables or bake sales
• Kid-friendly decorating project
• Looks impressive but simple to assemble

What You'll Need

• 1 (13.25 oz) box of vanilla cake mix, plus ingredients on the box
• 16 ounce container vanilla frosting
• 12 ounce green melting wafers
• 24–28 pretzel sticks
• 2 cups shredded coconut
• ½ cup mini M&M’s
• 12–14 edible star sprinkles (optional)

Step by Step Directions

Bake the Cupcakes
Mix and bake according to box directions. Let cool completely.

Frost the Cupcakes
Spread frosting over each cooled cupcake using an offset spatula or butter knife.
Dip tops into shredded coconut for a snow-covered look.

Create the Christmas Trees
Line a baking sheet, arrange pretzel sticks, and pipe zigzag green candy melts into tree shapes.

Decorate with mini M&M’s and a star on top while the candy is still wet.
Let harden completely before using.

If you like decorating with candy melts, Chocolate Covered Christmas Strawberries are festive and fun.

Assemble the Cupcakes

Gently insert a finished pretzel tree into each cupcake.

Tips for Success

• Let trees harden completely before inserting into cupcakes.
• Use a sturdy pretzel stick base to prevent breakage.
• Work quickly when decorating with candies before the melts set.
• Store cupcakes at room temperature until serving.

Make-Ahead & Storage

Trees can be made 2–3 days ahead and stored in a cool, dry place.

Frosted cupcakes can be stored covered at room temperature for up to two days.

See more tips on freezing desserts.

More Easy Christmas Desserts to Check Out

Try my Gooey Butter Cake Cookies for a  holiday treat that starts with cake mix. If you need something fast for parties, my White Chocolate Chex Mix with Christmas M&M’s is always a hit.

For a no-bake option, check out my Sugar Cookie Fudge made with an envelope of sugar cookie mix or Little Debbie Christmas Tree Dip.

Love peppermint? My Chocolate Peppermint Toffee Crackers are salty-sweet deliciousness. Or keep it simple with Peppermint White Chocolate Bark or another cake mix recipe, Chocolate Peppermint Gooey Butter Cake Bars.

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