Name: Easy Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 34 min
Yield: 24 cupcakes
Cuisine: American

Cake Mix Recipes Verified

February 11, 2026

These Easy Christmas Tree Cupcakes are festive, fun, and deceptively simple. Starting with a boxed cake mix means less stress during the busy holiday season, while the decorating transforms them into a showstopping centerpiece. They’re kid-friendly, adaptable to different flavors, and guaranteed to impress guests with minimal effort.

From the Cook

1/6

Easy Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Cake Mix Recipes Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 5 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Bake the cupcakes according to package directions. Cool completely.

Scoop frosting into large bowl, add several drops of green gel food coloring. Stir to combine. Continue adding food coloring 1-2 drops at a time, mixing well between each addition, until frosting reaches desired shade.

Add frosting to piping bag, cut 1′ off from the tip, then attach star decorating tip.

Starting in the center of each cupcake, squeeze the frosting out through the tip and move in a circular pattern working out to the edge of the cupcake and back in towards the center moving up to form a tree.

Decorate with sprinkles.

Smart Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Gel Color Pro Technique 🎨
Add green gel food coloring gradually, mixing thoroughly between drops to achieve a consistent tree-like green without streaking or uneven color.
Piping Precision 🎄
Use a star-tipped piping bag and start from the base of the cupcake, building upward in a triangular tree shape with gentle, overlapping vertical strokes to create a realistic tree texture.
Frosting Temperature Trick 🧊
Chill your frosting for 10-15 minutes before decorating to ensure it's firm enough to hold the tree shape without melting or losing definition.
Sprinkle Strategy 🌟
Use a small sieve or your fingers to gently sprinkle holiday decorations, creating a more natural, scattered effect that mimics tree ornaments and snow.
Boxed Mix Moisture Hack 💧
Replace water with milk and add an extra egg to your boxed cake mix for a richer, more tender cupcake that stays moist and flavorful.