Easy Christmas Tree Cupcakes to Make at Home

These Christmas Tree Cupcakes are so easy to make and taste great. Festive and tasty, these cupcakes will be the star of your holiday dessert table this holiday season. Your holiday guests are sure to love them!

Chocolate cupcakes with waffle cones decorated as Christmas tree.

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If you are looking for cute Christmas cupcakes that the kids can help you make, then this easy Christmas tree cupcake recipe is the recipe for you. You can let the kids decorate the Christmas tree toppers, and they will have so much fun doing it.

Table of Contents

Why you should make these Christmas Tree Cone Cupcakes

Easy To Make – The best part is these cupcakes make for a great festive dessert when you are in a hurry for a holiday party.
Fun to Make – Not only are these simple cupcakes delicious, but they are also fun to make and easy to customize.
Inexpensive – All the ingredients you need for this recipe are easy to find in your local grocery store, helping you keep food costs down.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this Christmas Tree Brownie Bites recipe.

Ingredients For Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Cupcakes, waffle cones, star sprinkles, green candy melts, and mini M&M's.

Sugar or Waffle Cones: The ice cream cone forms the Christmas tree shape. You can choose either based on your preference, but both will provide a crunchy texture that contrasts well with the soft cupcake base.
Green Candy Melts: These are used to give our Christmas tree its vibrant, festive green. They melt easily and provide a smooth coating for the cone.
Coconut Oil or Vegetable Shortening: This ingredient is crucial for ensuring the candy melts achieve the right consistency. Coconut oil adds a hint of tropical flavor, whereas vegetable shortening is a neutral choice.
Mini M&M Candies: They serve as the ornaments on our Christmas tree, adding a pop of color and a sweet crunch.
Star Sprinkles: These are the final touches on our Christmas tree, symbolizing the star at its very top. They add a sparkle to our delicious cupcakes.
Frosted Cupcakes: This is the foundation of our dessert. You can choose one of your favorite cupcake recipes or opt for a store-bought cake mix for convenience.

Substitutions and Variations

You can use any type of candy on these cones. I just like the M&M’s but use what you have on hand.
Try using different-shaped fun sprinkles for different looks.
Add nuts or dried fruit to the top of the cone for another look or to suit a different cupcake flavor, such as a strawberry-flavored cupcake.
Try different types of cones for the shape of a tree, like chocolate sugar cones, for a tasty and crunchy topping.
You can use melted almond bark that you’ve dyed green with green food coloring instead of candy melts.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

How To Make Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Collage of coating the waffle cones with green melted chocolate.

Put the green candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave them for 30-second intervals, stirring after each. If they get too hot or don’t melt smoothly, add 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil or vegetable shortening. Stir until well mixed. (Photo 1)
Hold the cone in one hand and spoon a thin layer of green candy over it with the other. Tap the cone lightly to let extra candy drip off. (Photo 2)

Collage of decorating the cone to look like a Christmas Tree.

While the candy is still wet, stick the candies and sprinkles to the cone for the finishing touch. (Photos 3 & 4)
Let the decorated cone dry on the baking sheet, wire rack, or cooling rack covered with parchment paper. Once it’s dry, put a cone on top of each cupcake.

Three Christmas Tree Cupcakes sitting on a Christmas theme cloth.

Expert Tips

For an easy alternative, take a chocolate cupcake and add crushed peppermint to it for a festive touch.
Don’t want to make your own cupcakes? No problem! You can buy store-bought ones and add this same technique on top of it.
Make sure your cupcakes are completely cooled before adding the decorated cone. If the cupcakes are still warm, the heat could start to melt the candy coating on the cone.
Feel free to get creative with your decorations. The mini M&Ms are just a suggestion – you can use any type of candy or edible decoration you prefer.
If you’re short on time, consider purchasing pre-made frosted cupcakes from your local bakery or grocery store. You can then focus on making and decorating the Christmas tree cones.
If you’re not a fan of coconut oil or vegetable shortening, you can use butter for the candy melts. It gives a richer flavor and also helps in achieving a smooth consistency.
For a fun variation, consider adding some food coloring to your cupcake batter. This can create a festive multi-colored effect when you slice into your cupcake.

Storing Tips

Store your festive Christmas Tree cupcakes in an airtight container for up to four days. if you don’t have a container tall enough, you can leave the Christmas Tree Cones off your cupcakes until you are ready to serve them. Then, store your cones in a storage bag once they have hardened.

You can make these up to 24 hours in advance, but wait to add the Christmas Tree Cones when you are ready to serve.

What To Serve With Christmas Tree Cupcakes

These delightful Christmas tree cupcakes are a standalone dessert masterpiece, but if you want to create a more extensive holiday dessert spread, consider pairing them with other festive treats. A hot cocoa bar would be a perfect match, allowing guests to warm up with a hot beverage while enjoying their cupcakes.

Classic Christmas cookies or peppermint bark can also complement the cupcakes well, offering a variety of textures and flavors to your dessert table. If you’re serving these at a party, you might also consider a fruit and cheese platter or holiday punch for a more rounded refreshment offering.

Chocolate cupcakes topped with waffle cones coated with green candy melts and M&M's.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use different colors for the candy melts to make different-colored trees?

Yes, you can definitely experiment with different colored candy melts to create a colorful forest of Christmas Tree cupcakes. Be sure to use food-safe coloring if you choose to color white candy melts.

I’m allergic to nuts. Can I use something else instead of M&M’s?

Absolutely! You can use any kind of candy or edible decorations that you prefer or are safe for you to consume. Sprinkles, mini marshmallows, or colored sugar would all make great alternatives.

Can I prepare the cones ahead of time?

Yes, the cones can be prepared up to a day in advance. Just ensure they are stored in a cool, dry place to prevent the candy coating from melting.

Can I use homemade frosting instead of store-bought for the cupcakes?

Of course! Homemade frosting can add a personal touch to your cupcakes. Just make sure it’s a stiff frosting that will hold up the weight of the Christmas tree cone.

Are these cupcakes kid-friendly? Can my children help with decorating?

These cupcakes are not only kid-friendly but also a fun and creative activity for them. Kids will enjoy decorating their own “Christmas Tree,” and it’s a great way to get them involved in holiday preparations. Remember, the aim is to have fun, so perfection isn’t necessary!

How do I store the cupcakes if I’m not serving them immediately?

You can store the frosted cupcakes at room temperature for a day or two. However, if you’re not serving them immediately, it’s best to store the decorated cones and the cupcakes separately to avoid the cones getting soggy. Attach the cones just before serving.

Need more Christmas recipes? Try these:

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Chocolate cupcakes topped with green, candy-coated ice cream cones and candies to look like Christmas trees.

5 from 1 vote