Description

Christmas Cupcakes Treats inspire festive baking with quick DIY ideas colorful toppers and crowdpleasing dessert options Great for parties easy prep

Ingredients

Scale

1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour

2/3 cup (135 g) granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk

1/2 cup cranberry sauce or cranberry jam

Fresh cranberries or red sugar pearls for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with liners and set aside.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high until pale and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
Alternately add dry ingredients and milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients, in 3 additions. Scrape the bowl as needed to keep everything evenly mixed.
Fold in the cranberry sauce or jam in a few swirls, creating a gentle marbled effect.
Divide batter evenly among the liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Prepare the Peppermint Cream Cheese Buttercream: beat 1/2 cup (115 g) softened butter with 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese until smooth, then gradually beat in 3–3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp peppermint extract, and a splash of milk as needed for spreading consistency. Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes, then decorate with crushed candy canes or festive sprinkles.

Notes

There’s something magical about a kitchen filled with vanilla warmth, a tang of cranberry, and a crown of snowy frosting. Christmas Cupcakes are the cozy, crowd-pleasing treat you reach for during the holidays—approachable for weeknight baking, but pretty enough to photograph for your next Pinterest win.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 12 cupcakes
Calories: 320 calories
Sugar: 30 g
Fat: 16 g
Carbohydrates: 46 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 4 g

Keywords: Christmas cupcakes, cranberry cupcakes, peppermint cream cheese frosting, holiday desserts, Pinterest cupcakes, festive baking