If you’re itching to bring extra cheer to your holiday table, look no further than these Christmas Light Cupcakes. Each soft, tender cake is crowned with a swirl of vanilla buttercream, then decorated to look like colorful strands of glowing lights. Not only are they totally adorable, but the process is—ahem—seriously fun for kids and grown-ups alike. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or gifting a sweet treat to friends, these cupcakes are guaranteed to light up every face in the room.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Christmas Light Cupcakes come together with pantry staples and a few playful accents—each one bringing its own special magic to the finished result. Let’s break down the lineup, so you can see how every element helps build the flavors, the texture, or that irresistible holiday look.
- All-purpose flour: This forms the backbone of your cupcakes, delivering a tender yet sturdy crumb.
- Baking powder: Adds rise, ensuring fluffy and light cupcakes that don’t fall flat.
- Baking soda: Works alongside baking powder for a soft lift and golden hue.
- Salt: Just a pinch intensifies every sweet flavor and balances the batter perfectly.
- Unsalted butter (for cupcakes): Provides richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture as the base of your batter.
- Granulated sugar: Brings sweetness and moisture, while helping develop a delicate crumb.
- Large eggs: Bind the mixture and add richness for that classic cupcake structure.
- Vanilla extract: The secret to a warm, cozy flavor that makes any holiday dessert extra special.
- Whole milk: Adds moisture and tenderness, contributing to a soft bite every time.
- Unsalted butter (for buttercream): The star ingredient for a creamy, luscious frosting that swirls up beautifully.
- Powdered sugar: Dissolves easily into the butter to make a fluffy, dreamy frosting.
- Heavy cream or milk (for buttercream): A splash creates just the right consistency for piping or spreading.
- Pinch of salt (for buttercream): Enhances all that sweetness for a truly balanced finish.
- Black licorice laces or black decorating gel: These clever stand-ins mimic the wires of twinkling Christmas lights.
- Mini M&M’s or colored candy-coated chocolates: Dot them across your “wires” for those irresistible pops of color and fun.
How to Make Christmas Light Cupcakes
Step 1: Prepare the Cupcake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures your leaveners are evenly dispersed and helps keep the cupcakes light and fluffy. In a separate large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together until they’re pale and fluffy—this builds air and helps create that signature cupcake texture. Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each (this keeps the batter smooth), followed by the vanilla extract for warmth and depth.
Step 2: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet mixture, alternating with the milk. You’ll want to start and finish with the flour—this keeps the batter from becoming overworked and ensures everything blends smoothly. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. This is the best way to keep your Christmas Light Cupcakes tender and moist.
Step 3: Bake Your Cupcakes
Divide the batter evenly among your cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full (a cookie scoop makes this so easy). Slide the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. This patience pays off—decorating warm cupcakes can melt your beautifully piped frosting!
Step 4: Make the Vanilla Buttercream
While the cupcakes cool, get started on your buttercream. In a clean bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low to avoid a sugar cloud, then crank up the speed until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla, a pinch of salt, and 2–3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk, beating until your frosting is irresistibly soft and spreadable. Adjust the cream as necessary to get your perfect piping consistency.
Step 5: Decorate Like Holiday Magic
Now for the most fun part! Pipe or spread the buttercream onto each cooled cupcake in mounded swirls. Use black licorice laces or black decorating gel to draw whimsical “strands” of wire across the frosting. Gently press mini M&M’s or colorful candies along the wiring, like a string of glowing Christmas lights. The result? Christmas Light Cupcakes that absolutely dazzle on any holiday dessert tray.
How to Serve Christmas Light Cupcakes
Garnishes
For an extra festive flourish, consider adding a gentle dusting of edible glitter or an extra scattering of colored sprinkles beside the “lights.” You can even tuck a small sprig of fresh mint or edible holly behind each cupcake for a merry little accent. For the ultimate sparkle, use a metallic cupcake liner so each Christmas Light Cupcake looks like a present itself!
Side Dishes
Pairing Christmas Light Cupcakes with classic holiday flavors makes for a truly cozy dessert spread. Try serving them alongside mugs of hot cocoa, a tray of buttery shortbread, or a big bowl of festive fruit salad. Their wow-factor makes them a star, but they play nicely with an array of beloved sweets and sips.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn dessert into a centerpiece by arranging your cupcakes in the shape of a Christmas tree or wreath right on your serving platter—just build the outline with cupcakes and fill in with a few sprigs of greenery or extra candies. If you’re gifting, pack the cupcakes in a pretty pastry box tied with a bright ribbon, or nestle each one into a mason jar for a sweet, portable surprise. Any way you display them, Christmas Light Cupcakes will steal the show.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Christmas Light Cupcakes moist and brilliant, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen gets warm (holiday ovens, anyone?), store them in the fridge, but let them come to room temperature before serving so the frosting regains its ideal creamy texture.
Freezing
Want to get ahead on holiday prep? Both the cupcakes and unfrosted buttercream freeze beautifully! Wrap cooled cupcakes individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag; the buttercream can be transferred into a sealed container. When you’re ready to decorate, thaw everything at room temperature. For best results, add the “lights” and licorice right before serving to keep colors vibrant.
Reheating
No actual reheating needed—just be sure to bring any chilled or thawed cupcakes to room temperature before serving. This step ensures both cake and frosting are perfectly soft, flavorful, and ready to dazzle. If the buttercream looks a bit firm after refrigeration, give each cupcake a few extra minutes on the counter.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cupcakes as a shortcut?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, store-bought vanilla cupcakes can be dressed up with homemade or store-bought buttercream, then decorated the same festive way. It’s a time-saver that still delivers adorable Christmas Light Cupcakes.
Is there a dairy-free option for these cupcakes?
Definitely. Swap in your favorite plant-based butter and a neutral, unsweetened non-dairy milk for both the batter and the buttercream. The results will be just as delicious and kid-friendly.
My frosting is too thick. How can I fix it?
If your buttercream is stiff or hard to spread, simply add an extra splash of milk or cream, about a teaspoon at a time, until it’s soft and fluffy. Keep mixing until smooth—you’ll get that perfect swirl for your Christmas Light Cupcakes in no time.
What candies work best for the “lights”?
Mini M&M’s are a favorite for their color and size, but any small, round candy-coated chocolates (like Sixlets or Skittles) will do the trick. Get creative with colors to really mimic a glowing strand of holiday lights!
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time for a party?
Yes! For maximum freshness, bake the cupcakes and make the frosting up to two days ahead. Store the cupcakes and buttercream separately if possible, then decorate just before serving to keep your “lights” looking bright and cheery.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one treat that captures the pure magic of the season, it’s Christmas Light Cupcakes. They’re just as fun to make as they are to eat, and every batch brings big smiles and warm memories. Gather some friends, fire up your oven, and let your holiday shine with these joyful cupcakes—you’ll love every bite!
Print
Christmas Light Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Light Cupcakes are a festive and fun treat that will brighten up any holiday gathering. Moist vanilla cupcakes topped with creamy buttercream and decorated to look like strings of colorful lights, these cupcakes are as delightful to look at as they are to eat.
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
Vanilla Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Decorating:
- Black licorice laces or black decorating gel (to mimic wires)
- Mini M&M’s or colored candy-coated chocolates (to mimic lights)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Prepare the batter: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, add eggs and vanilla, then alternate adding dry ingredients and milk.
- Bake: Divide batter into liners and bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Make the frosting: Beat butter, add powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and cream. Frost cooled cupcakes.
- Decorate: Use licorice laces or gel to create wires on cupcakes. Place mini M&M’s along the wires to mimic lights.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before decorating.
- You can use store-bought cupcakes for a time-saving option.
- Try adding peppermint extract to the buttercream for a festive flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
