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Christmas Light Cupcakes

Recipe by Rebekah Winscott

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.

  • Total Time20 minutes
  • Yield12 1x

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

  1. Bake the cupcakes: Prepare your favorite vanilla or chocolate cupcakes. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
  2. Make the frosting: Beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then milk and vanilla until smooth and pipeable.
  3. Frost the cupcakes: Using a piping bag with a 1A tip, swirl buttercream onto each cupcake.
  4. Draw the light string: Pipe a wavy line of black gel or black buttercream across each cupcake.
  5. Add the bulbs: Press colorful M&Ms along the line to create the look of Christmas lights.
  6. 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.

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

Find it online: https://thisnanacancook.com/christmas-light-cupcakes/