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
Scale
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
