Description
Turn simple cupcakes into a string of sparkling holiday lights with this easy, kid-friendly recipe! These Christmas light cupcakes use buttercream frosting, colorful M&Ms, and black decorating gel to create bakery-worthy treats in under an hour.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- (Shortcut: Use your favorite boxed mix or store-bought cupcakes.)
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 Tbsp milk or cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Decorations:
- 1 tube black decorating gel or black buttercream
- 1 cup colorful M&;Ms (or mini candies)
- Optional: edible glitter or star sprinkles
Instructions
- Bake the cupcakes: Prepare your favorite vanilla or chocolate cupcakes. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the frosting: Beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then milk and vanilla until smooth and pipeable.
- Frost the cupcakes: Using a piping bag with a 1A tip, swirl buttercream onto each cupcake.
- Draw the light string: Pipe a wavy line of black gel or black buttercream across each cupcake.
- Add the bulbs: Press colorful M&Ms along the line to create the look of Christmas lights.
- Set and serve: Chill for 10–15 minutes before serving to help the decorations set.
Notes
- Avoid refrigerating decorated cupcakes — condensation may cause colors to bleed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Treats
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg