Description
Celebrate the festive season with these delightful Christmas Light Cupcakes! Soft vanilla cupcakes are topped with smooth, colorful buttercream icing decorated to look like charming Christmas light bulbs, complete with miniature chocolate chip ‘bulbs’ and optional edible glitter for extra sparkle. Perfect for holiday parties or a fun family baking project.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box of vanilla cake mix (or your favorite homemade vanilla cake recipe)
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3-4 tbsp milk
Decorations
- Gel food coloring (red, green, yellow, blue)
- Miniature chocolate chips or black candy for the “light bulbs”
- Edible glitter (optional, for extra sparkle!)
Instructions
- Prepare the cupcakes: Preheat your oven according to the cake mix or recipe directions. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until smooth and pour the batter into lined cupcake tins, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake the cupcakes: Bake the cupcakes as directed on the cake mix box or recipe, usually around 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the buttercream frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of milk. If frosting is too stiff, add the remaining milk one teaspoon at a time until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Color the frosting: Divide the buttercream into four small bowls. Add gel food coloring to each bowl—red, green, yellow, and blue—and mix well until vibrant colors are achieved.
- Decorate the cupcakes: Using a piping bag or a knife, frost each cupcake with one of the colored buttercreams in a swirl or smooth layer. Use miniature chocolate chips or black candies to mimic the Christmas light bulbs by gently pressing them into the frosting in a festive pattern.
- Add sparkle (optional): Lightly sprinkle edible glitter over the frosted cupcakes for a sparkling finish that catches the festive mood perfectly.
- Serve and enjoy: Arrange your Christmas Light Cupcakes on a festive platter and enjoy at your holiday gatherings!
Notes
- You can substitute homemade vanilla cake batter for the boxed mix if desired.
- If you don’t have gel food coloring, liquid food coloring can be used, but gel tends to give more vibrant colors without thinning the frosting.
- To make frosting easier to color and spread, ensure the butter is soft but not melted.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a dairy-free margarine and use a suitable alternative for milk.
- Edible glitter is optional but adds a festive sparkle to the cupcakes.
