Christmas Cupcakes not only taste delicious, but they’re also so fun and festive! Doubling as both decor and dessert, they’re sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering!
Christmas Cupcakes: Miniature Snow Globes!
There’s something magical about shaking a snow globe and watching the snow swirl inside. Today, we’re bringing that magic to life with an edible treat — snow globe cupcakes!
Christmas Cupcakes are not only delicious but also super easy to make – perfect for the busy holiday season. All it takes is a simple cupcake base, frosting, and a quick trip to your local craft store (or an online shop) for clear ornaments and festive decorations.
These festive cupcakes are a fun and tasty way to jazz up your holiday parties!
Christmas Cupcakes Ingredients
- Cake mix: Betty Crocker® Super Moist French Vanilla Cake Mix is our favorite.
- Eggs, sour cream, oil, vanilla, water, and chocolate: We’re skipping the box instructions and adding these unique ingredients ourselves.
- Vanilla pudding xix: Look for a 3.4-oz. pack of regular vanilla instant pudding mix, unprepared (avoid cook-and-serve or sugar-free varieties). This is the smaller size package, not the 5.1-ounce size.
Frosting Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: Use it at room temperature for best blending.
- Full-fat, brick-style cream cheese: Also room temperature for smooth frosting; avoid low-fat for best texture.
- Vanilla extract and salt: Enhances sweetness and balances flavor.
- Powdered sugar: Add more for a stiffer and sweeter frosting; less for a softer and tangier frosting.
Quick Tip
Short on time? Pick up ready-made frosting from your grocery store’s bakery section!
How To Make Christmas Cupcakes
- Preheat Oven: 350°F (176°C); line a Mini Muffin Pan.
- Mix wet ingredients: Whisk together eggs, sour cream, oil, and vanilla.
- Add dry mixes: Stir in cake and pudding mixes.
- Incorporate hot water: Add water and mix well.
- Bake: Spoon batter into the tin and bake 10-15 minutes.
- Cool: Let cupcakes cool in the pan, then remove to a wire rack.
- Prepare frosting: Cream butter and cream cheese, add vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar.
- Frost cupcakes: Use a piping bag with the star tip.
- Decorate: Add sprinkles and ornament tops.
Decorating Christmas Cupcakes
When your guests see these cupcakes that look like snow globes, they’ll be oooh-ing and ahh-ing and asking you what bakery made them. Christmas Cupcakes only look difficult to make. We use toppings from the craft store to accomplish our cupcake magic! Pre-made holiday-themed candy toppings come by the sheet, and half of a clear plastic ornament ball (the type that opens into two parts) makes the snow globe. Easy peasy!
- Royal Icing Decorations: The ones in these photos are from Target.
- Mini Ornaments: The 5 cm size is ideal for mini cupcakes. Grab ornaments that split in half and are fillable.
- Snowflake Sprinkles: Optional, but they enhance the festive vibe.
More Christmas Treats:
- Christmas Crack (Saltine Toffee)
- Christmas Donuts
- White chocolate Christmas Snack Mix
- Christmas Popcorn
- Christmas Oreos
Christmas Cupcakes
Equipment
- Mixer
- Mini Muffin Pan lined
Ingredients
Batter
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sour cream full-fat
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 (13.25-ounce) box Super Moist French Vanilla Cake Mix
- 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1 cup coarsely chopped white chocolate optional
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese room temperature, see note 2
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Line a mini muffin pan with liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Add cake and pudding mixes, use a wooden spoon to stir a few times. Pour in hot water and stir until no dry steaks remain. Don't over-mix. Chop white chocolate to the size of mini chocolate chips and stir through.
- Fill each muffin cavity with 1 rounded tablespoon of batter. Bake one tray at a time for 10–15 minutes. Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Cream butter and cream cheese with a mixer until smooth. Mix in vanilla extract and salt. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix at a low speed until smooth. Optionally, chill frosting for 15–25 minutes for easier decorating.
- Frost cooled cupcakes using a piping bag with a star tip. Add holiday sprinkles and snowflake decorations. Top with one half of a mini clear ornament.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
