35 Easy Christmas Cupcakes

If you’re a big fan of making fancy, festive desserts, you’ll love these Christmas cupcakes.

They’re a ton of fun to make and decorate. Plus, they’re all delicious and mostly festive.

Festive Cupcake Recipes for Christmas

Honestly, the only cupcakes I love more might be Halloween cupcakes. But even then, I’m not sure.

There’s just something about Christmas, after all. 

Making these cupcakes is exciting. You can even turn it into a fun holiday activity for the whole family. 

If you’re looking for adorable – and sometimes elaborate – holiday desserts, you can’t go wrong with Christmas cupcakes.

1. Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Marshmallow Buttercream

It’s hard to beat a sweet mug of hot chocolate when it comes to winter treats. That’s not what this is, but it is what it looks like. 

Plus, it contains cocoa and marshmallow creme, so it tastes like it, too – only sweeter. 

The best part of these, though, is how charming they look. If you want a cupcake recipe that’ll wow your holiday party guests, this is it. 

2. Eggnog Cupcakes

These may not look as fancy and festive as the ones above.

But one bite of their spiced eggnog yumminess, and you’ll understand why they’re ideal for Christmas.

They’re easy to make, smell great, and taste even better. You just can’t beat that.

3. Reindeer Cupcakes

Start from scratch or buy unfrosted chocolate cupcakes from the store. Either way, decorating is the biggest part of these reindeer cupcakes. 

It takes a little skill, but not as much as you’d think. Mostly, you just need the right tools. 

As long as you have a Wilton decorating kit (or equivalent), you can whip these up in no time. 

4. Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

I could eat carrot cake and carrot cake cupcakes all fall and winter long. That alone makes them the perfect Christmas cupcake.

They’re light, moist, and full of spiced yumminess. The decadent cream cheese frosting doesn’t hurt my feelings, either.

Even without the decorations, these are ideal holiday cupcakes. But take the time to add the decorations anyway. They’re adorable.

5. Christmas Light Cupcakes

Check out these Christmas light cupcakes if you want something fun, colorful, and festive.

They’re standard chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream icing.

However, you’ll decorate them with colorful M&Ms and a little black frosting to make the strings.

At a glance, the result makes it look like you covered each cupcake in a strand of mini, colored Christmas lights. And seriously, that’s just too cute.

6. Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

You’ll have to do a little work to make these look exactly like the picture. Luckily, it isn’t necessarily hard work. Just time-consuming.

Gingerbread is the ultimate Christmas treat. Its rich, molasses-like flavor contrasts perfectly with the tangy cream cheese icing on these cupcakes.

Top each one with a well-decorated gingerbread man for a gorgeous, elegant treat. Plus, it’s two desserts in one – a cookie and a cupcake.

7. Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

These taste just like snickerdoodles.

However, they’re lighter, more cake-like, and have a double dose of cinnamon flavor. (In the cakes AND the icing!)

Adding rich, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon cookies on top of each one just makes them even better.

If you’re looking for a Christmas cupcake that looks and smells as good as it tastes, you’ve just found it.

8. Peppermint Bark Cupcakes

Even people who don’t like peppermint often enjoy the chocolate and peppermint combination.

These peppermint bark cupcakes have both in spades.

They’re rich, decadent, and full of minty-fresh, and indulgent chocolate flavors. The crunchy and festive peppermint bark on top is just a bonus.

9. Stuffed Cannoli Cupcakes

Do you enjoy the sweetly spiced, slightly tangy taste of cannoli? Of course, you do! Who doesn’t?!

But this is a list of cupcakes – not cannoli!

Fortunately, this recipe is the best of both worlds. It has the sweetly cheesy, chocolatey flavor of cannoli with a cupcake’s soft, spongy texture.

Additionally, they look incredible and are very festive cupcakes.

10. Creme Brulee Cupcakes

These elegant cupcakes will be a total show-stopper at your next Christmas party.

They have a scrumptious vanilla bean pastry cream topping and a caramelized brulee crisp. They’re absolutely delightful to bite into.

Add whipped cream and a raspberry for that little extra touch of Christmas cheer.

11. Christmas Tree Cupcakes

I know what you’re thinking. These look like something you’d learn toward the end of an advanced baking class.

Actually, they’re unbelievably simple.

That intricate, delicate-looking Christmas tree is just an upside-down ice cream cone.

Add star-shaped dollops of green icing and powdered sugar, and you’re all set.

Don’t tell everyone how easy they were, though! Let them think you’re a baking pro!

12. Santa Cupcakes

With these Santa cupcakes, it’s all about finding the right tool to get the job done.

The charming Santa faces look like they take a lot of work. Luckily, they’re simple with the right icing tip.

The chocolate cupcakes are light and flavorful. The buttercream frosting is delicious and super sweet.

Plus, it doesn’t get much more jovial or merry than Santa cupcakes at Christmas.

13. Snowman Cupcakes

These snowman cupcakes call for chocolate cake, but you can use whatever cupcake base you like.

As for decorating, you’ll need marshmallows, vanilla frosting, black icing, and Funfetti or sugar pearls. (I prefer sugar pearls.)

If you want cutesy cupcakes but aren’t sure how to use a piping bag and tips, these are an excellent option.

After all, the marshmallow makes up most of the cupcake!

14. Easy Christmas Cupcakes

Need Christmas cupcake recipes so easy that even a total novice could make them? These easy Christmas cupcakes were made for that!

They’re still gorgeously festive, but making them couldn’t be simpler. Follow the recipe to make light, moist homemade chocolate cupcakes.

Then, frost them and make the easy-as-pie Christmas trees. All they require are pretzel sticks and candy melts.

15. Kahlua Chocolate Cupcakes

Kahlua chocolate cupcakes may not be as decorative as other Christmas cupcakes. However, Christmas is sometimes about decadence and over-indulgence.

These are perfect for that!

There’s a rich, warm burst of Kahlua in every aspect of these cupcakes.

You’ll add it to the cupcakes. You’ll add it to the buttercream. You’ll even add it to the ganache.

You’ll add it until there’s Kahlua in every bite. You’re welcome, World.

16. Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

I’m not going to lie. These cinnamon roll cupcakes take some work! They aren’t boxed cupcakes you can whip up in 20 minutes with minimal effort.

However, the payoff is extraordinary. I mean, just look at them! These are some next-level Magnolia Bakery-worthy cupcakes right here!

And as a bonus, you get a sweet and spicy cinnamon roll with every cake!

17. Ultimate Salted Caramel Cupcakes

If you’re like me, the words “salted caramel” are an aphrodisiac. Still, these cupcakes go a step beyond.

Most salted caramel cupcakes put all the salt and caramel in the frosting.

For these, you’ll hollow out the cinnamon-sugary cakes. Then, you’ll fill the hole with thick, creamy caramel sauce.

Finish each one with sweet, sugary frosting, a caramel square, liquid caramel sauce, and plenty of flaky sea salt. Sensational!

18. Apple Pie Cupcakes

These dense, fluffy sweets are more like muffins than cupcakes. That’s thanks to the nutty, sugary crumble topping.

Each one tastes remarkably like a sweetly spiced apple pie.

You’ll make them with refrigerated cinnamon roll dough. It gives them a much different texture than traditional cupcakes.

It also provides a richer depth of flavor.

19. Grinch Cupcakes

This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas cupcake recipes. 

If you’re a fan of How the Grinch Stole Christmas – or any of its variations – you’ll adore them, too.

They’re gloriously grinchy and fantastically fun.

But despite their vibrantly green and red appearance, they taste just like red velvet cupcakes. As we know, those are always delicious. 

20. Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes

Speaking of red velvet cupcakes, let’s not leave them off the list.

This recipe will help you make them from scratch. Best of all, they’re entirely vegan. (Yes! That includes the cream cheese frosting!)

You wouldn’t know it by tasting them, though. They’re just as yummy as any red velvet cupcakes you’ve tried.

21. Polar Bear Cupcakes

People will love how these cupcakes look. They’re tiny polar bears with sweet smiles on their faces! Who WOULDN’T love that?!

The exoticness of the white almond cupcakes is another point in their favor.

They have the most unique, sweetly nutty flavor and the softest texture. The striking decorations are the least of what makes them great.

22. Candy Cane Cupcakes

Are you a fan of the sweet but strong taste of peppermint in your desserts? If so, these red and white swirled cupcakes are right up your alley.

The frosting is creamy and velvety smooth. And the smell and flavor of the cupcakes are overwhelmingly pepperminty in the best way!

23. Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

Cookies and cream cupcakes aren’t strictly Christmas cupcakes. Rather, they’re excellent all-occasion cupcakes.

Honestly, I just love the Oreo buttercream so much. I think they deserve a spot on every dessert list ever.

Despite their lovely appearance and decadent taste, these aren’t hard to make. You can make over a dozen in under 40 minutes with little trouble.

24. Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes

The actual name of this recipe is “Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Frosting.”

Besides being a mouthful, it also tells you that these cupcakes have A LOT going on.

Suffice it to say, if you’re a pumpkin spice lover, you’ll dig them. They’re pretty delectable, even if pumpkin spice isn’t your thing.

25. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

These cupcakes have an extra surprise waiting inside them. Spoiler alert! It’s chocolate chip cookie dough!

The cupcakes are vanilla with chocolate chips. But each one is also packed with cookie dough. 

Then, you’ll ice them with more cookie dough frosting and stick a chocolate chip cookie on top of each one.

It’s 100% chocolate chip cookie overload, and I’m 100% okay with that. 

26. Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Cupcakes

Do you enjoy a bit of tart tanginess in your sweet treats? Me too! And these cranberry, orange, and white chocolate cupcakes have all that and more.

They’re sweet and rich, with a hint of citrus from the orange emulsion. Add in the cranberry compote and sugared cranberries on top.

Be still my heart. These cupcakes are out of this world.

27. S’mores Cupcakes

Are these not the most stunning, decadent cupcakes you’ve ever seen!? If not, we need to talk. I definitely want to see anything more indulgent than these!

Honestly, what can I say about these that picture wouldn’t overshadow? They’re gorgeous, supremely rich, and full of authentic campfire s’mores flavor.

I could eat an entire baker’s dozen by myself.

28. Andes Mint Cupcakes

And because you can never have too many gorgeous cupcake recipes, here’s one more!

The pale, mint green frosting is lovely against the dark brown cupcake. Once you stick an Andes mint in the top, these look bakery-showcase-ready.

They also taste precisely like Andes mints but are much softer, fluffier, and moister. Still, they make a refreshing, clean dessert to enjoy after a meal.

29. Dr. Pepper Cupcakes

These cupcakes amaze me. They somehow taste like chocolate, butter, and Dr. Pepper, all rolled into one delectable package.

You may think tasting Dr. Pepper in your dessert wouldn’t be good. I’m here to tell you unequivocally that you’re wrong.

The bubbly drink gives these cupcakes an incredible taste. They’re also supremely soft — almost spongy — and look fantastic, too.

30. Ultimate Nutella Cupcakes

Peanut butter and chocolate one of your favorite flavor combinations? Wait till you try these ultimate Nutella cupcakes.

Each fluffy chocolate cake features creamy Nutella inside. You’ll also top them with Nutella buttercream frosting.

And if all that wasn’t fantastic enough, you’ll stick one of my all-time favorite chocolates on top.

Bake these just once for a holiday party, and people will want you to make them again and again.

31. Tiramisu Cupcakes

There’s nothing inherently Christmassy about tiramisu cupcakes. That doesn’t matter, though.

These look elegant and sophisticated. And once people get a bite of them, they won’t care whether they’re festive or not.

They taste just like the classic Italian dessert, complete with a coffee liqueur soak. YUM!

32. Santa Hat Cupcakes

I’ve seen Santa hat cupcakes done several different ways, but never quite like this.

These are the easiest, most straightforward way to make Santa hats.

As long as you know how to frost a cupcake, you can make these. They’re fun, festive, and perfect for the beginner baker looking for simplicity.

33. Cupcake Wreath

These Christmas wreath cupcakes, on the other hand, take a bit more skill. They’re also a little time-consuming.

Still, if you have the time and the know-how, you should definitely make them. They are strikingly beautiful and sure to turn heads.

These are the kind of cupcakes that sell for 6$ a pop at any upscale bakery.

34. Snowflake Cupcakes

You know how they say every cupcake is unique? Well, these charming cupcakes will also stand out from the crowd.

They’re fluffy chocolate cupcakes with baby blue icing, snowflake sprinkles, and edible pearls.

Add a snowflake cookie as a garnish, and these will totally steal the show.

35. Buddy the Elf Cupcakes

Remember that scene in Elf where Buddy makes breakfast spaghetti and talks about the four food groups? 

(Candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.) 

That’s the scene that inspired these Buddy the Elf cupcakes. They’re fun, covered in candy, and iced all noodly-like. 

Luckily, people need not be fans of the movie to enjoy them. They’re scrumdiddlyumptious, either way!