Name: Christmas Holly Cupcakes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 24 cupcakes
Cuisine: American

Cake Mix Recipes Verified

February 11, 2026

These Christmas Holly Cupcakes capture that spirit of Christmas beautifully. They’re simple to make, thanks to a trusty box cake mix. I dress them up with charming holly decorations that look straight out of a Christmas card. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, gifting to neighbors, or creating a cozy afternoon project with kids, these cupcakes bring festive cheer with minimal fuss.

From the Cook

1/6

Christmas Holly Cupcakes

Cake Mix Recipes Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 5 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Bake cupcakes according to directions on box and let cool completely before decorating.

Add frosting to piping bag with large star tip. Begin piping frosting along the outer edge of each cupcake. Slowly pipe in a circle towards the center until each cupcake is fully covered.

Place 2-3 red ball sprinkles in a cluster on each cupcake, this will be the holly berries.

Using a small leaf decorating tip on the end of the green writing frosting, carefully pipe two small leaves on both sides of the red ball sprinkles on each cupcake.

Sprinkle a few gold ball sprinkles on each cupcake.

Smart Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

0
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Tips & Tricks (5)

Frosting Consistency Hack 🎨
Let vanilla frosting sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before piping to achieve the perfect smooth, spreadable texture for decorating holly leaves.
Precision Icing Technique 🌿
Use a small leaf-tip piping nozzle and practice a gentle, consistent pressure to create realistic holly leaf shapes with your green writing icing.
Sprinkle Placement Pro 🎄
Use clean tweezers to strategically place red and gold ball sprinkles for precise, professional-looking holly berry clusters on each cupcake.
Box Mix Elevation Trick 🧁
Add an extra egg, substitute milk for water, and mix in a tablespoon of vanilla extract to transform basic box cake mix into a bakery-quality cupcake base.
Moisture Preservation Technique 💦
After baking, let cupcakes cool completely, then store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain maximum moisture and freshness.