Name: Tree Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 1 h 2 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 100 g Granulated sugar; 100 g Brown sugar; 80 g Vegetable oil; 120 g Whole milk (room temperature); 120 g Freshly brewed coffee (room temperature); 1 Egg (room temperature); 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract; 180 g All purpose flour; 50 g Cocoa powder; ½ teaspoon Baking powder; ½ teaspoon Salt; ½ teaspoon Baking soda; 45 g Semi sweet chocolate; 60 g Heavy Cream (36% fat content); 226 g Unsalted butter; 360 g Powdered sugar (sifted); 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon Salt; 3 tablespoons Heavy cream (36% fat content); Green food coloring (gel e.g. Americolor or high quality powder); Sprinkles for decoration

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 65 reviews

If you are looking for an adorable, festive, and utterly delicious treat that will light up any gathering, this Tree Cupcakes Recipe is just what you need. These chocolate cupcakes are decadently moist, infused with a hint of coffee that enhances their rich cocoa flavor, and crowned with fluffy, beautifully piped frosting shaped like Christmas trees. The combination of textures and the playfulness of green and white frosting make these cupcakes as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or just to bring a bit of joy to your afternoon, these cupcakes are an absolute winner in both taste and presentation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a group of chocolate cupcakes, each topped with two distinct layers of frosting. The bottom layer is light cream colored, swirled smoothly around the top edge of the cupcake, creating a soft, fluffy texture. On top of this is a tall, spiral layer of bright green frosting styled to look like a Christmas tree, with the pointed tip reaching high above the base frosting. The green frosting is decorated with small white snowflake shapes, round golden balls, small golden stars, and tiny gold sprinkles scattered evenly around. The cupcakes are arranged on a white marbled surface with a red ribbon at the base, creating a festive look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Each ingredient in this Tree Cupcakes Recipe is carefully chosen to deliver the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and visual appeal. From the depth of chocolate enhanced by coffee to the creamy, luscious frosting that holds its shape beautifully, these essentials come together with simplicity and purpose.

100 g Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender crumb in the cupcakes.
100 g Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel undertone for extra depth.
80 g Vegetable oil: Keeps the cupcakes moist and soft.
120 g Whole milk (room temperature): Balances the batter’s consistency for a tender texture.
120 g Freshly brewed coffee (room temperature): Intensifies the chocolate flavor without adding a strong coffee taste.
1 Egg (room temperature): Helps bind the ingredients and gives structure.
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, familiar aroma.
180 g All purpose flour: The base that provides the cupcake’s structure.
50 g Cocoa powder: Brings that rich chocolate goodness.
½ teaspoon Baking powder: A gentle leavening agent for lift.
½ teaspoon Salt: Balances sweetness, enhances flavor depth.
½ teaspoon Baking soda: Works together with acidic ingredients for rise and tenderness.
45 g Semi sweet chocolate: For the optional ganache filling.
60 g Heavy Cream (36% fat content): To make the ganache and to adjust frosting consistency.
226 g Unsalted butter: The base for the rich and creamy frosting.
360 g Powdered sugar (sifted): Sweetens and gives frosting a light, silky texture.
1 tablespoon Vanilla extract: Keeps the frosting flavorful and aromatic.
¼ teaspoon Salt: Balances sweetness in the frosting.
3 tablespoons Heavy cream (36% fat content): Helps achieve that perfect fluffy frosting texture.
Green food coloring (gel eg. Americolor or high quality powder): For the signature tree color that looks festive and vivid.
Sprinkles: Adds a fun, festive crunch and sparkle.

How to Make Tree Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Tin

Begin by lining your cupcake tin with muffin liners and preheat your oven to 175℃ / 347℉ (no fan). This simple prep ensures your cupcakes bake evenly and come out easily when done.

Step 2: Whip Together Wet Ingredients

Using an electric hand mixer, beat together the room temperature egg, oil, granulated and brown sugars, brewed coffee, milk, and vanilla extract for about 1-2 minutes. This creates a smooth, well-blended base that yields rich moisture and flavor throughout.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting not only blends the leaveners well but also helps avoid lumps, guaranteeing a smooth batter.

Step 4: Mix Batter

Gently add the wet ingredients to the dry ones, folding carefully just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make cupcakes dense, so a light hand keeps the texture tender and airy.

Step 5: Fill Cupcake Liners

Divide the batter evenly among the liners, filling each about ¾ full. This allows enough room for the cupcakes to rise without spilling over.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on them, as overbaking will dry out these gems.

Step 7: Cooling Time

Once baked, transfer cupcakes to a cooling rack and let them come completely to room temperature before frosting. Warm cupcakes will make frosting melt and lose shape.

Step 8: Optional Ganache Filling

Place finely chopped semi sweet chocolate in a bowl. Heat heavy cream until just simmering and pour over the chocolate. Let sit for a minute then stir or blend until perfectly smooth and creamy. Cool the ganache for 30 minutes to reach a luscious, pipeable consistency.

Step 9: Prepare the Frosting

Cream unsalted butter on medium-high speed for 3 minutes until light in color and airy in texture. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, whipping on low speed first and then increasing to medium-high for 4 minutes to incorporate air, making the frosting fluffy. Finally, mix in vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream until smooth and silky.

Step 10: Color and Texture the Frosting

Set aside about one-third of the frosting as the white base. Use green gel or powder food coloring to gently tint the remaining two-thirds until you achieve a vibrant, festive green. If needed, adjust with more cream or powdered sugar for the perfect pipeable consistency.

Step 11: Assemble Your Tree Cupcakes Recipe

If using ganache, carefully create a small hole in the top of each cupcake and fill it with the luscious chocolate ganache. Freeze for 3 minutes to set. Pipe a thin layer of white frosting onto each cupcake, then add the green frosting in a swirling Christmas tree pattern using a Wilton 1M tip. Finish by decorating with festive sprinkles and optionally dust with powdered sugar for a snow-kissed look.

How to Serve Tree Cupcakes Recipe

The image shows three chocolate cupcakes, each placed in dark brown liners, arranged on a wooden tray on a white marbled surface. Each cupcake has two layers of frosting: a smooth base layer of white cream topped by tall, thick swirls of green frosting shaped like Christmas trees. The green frosting is decorated with small white snowflake-shaped and round sprinkles, tiny golden star shapes, and golden round balls, with a larger golden ball on top of each cupcake. In the background, blurred red and gold Christmas ornaments add to the festive look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkles are the easiest way to add sparkle and fun to these tree-topped cupcakes. You can opt for silver dragees, edible glitter, or tiny candy stars to mimic tree decorations and bring a festive touch.

Side Dishes

Pair these cupcakes with a warm cup of spiced chai tea or rich hot chocolate to complement the chocolate and coffee notes. Fresh berries on the side also cut through the sweetness, giving a fresh burst alongside each bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, arrange the cupcakes on a tiered serving tray resembling a mini forest, or place them on a platter lined with pine branches, cinnamon sticks, and cranberries to elevate the holiday feel. Wrapping each cupcake with a clear cello bag and tying with festive ribbon also makes for charming edible gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover cupcakes in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. This helps preserve the freshness and frosting texture without drying out the cupcakes themselves.

Freezing

You can freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months. Wrap each cupcake tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving for the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

Allow refrigerated cupcakes to come back to room temperature before serving so the frosting softens and the cake regains some of its original moistness. Avoid microwaving directly as it may melt or ruin the frosting’s structure.

FAQs

Can I make these cupcakes dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk, use a dairy-free butter alternative for the frosting, and ensure the chocolate you use is dairy-free as well. The texture and taste will be slightly different but still delicious.

What is the purpose of adding coffee to the batter?

Coffee enhances and deepens the chocolate flavor without adding its own strong taste, making the cupcakes taste richer and more decadent.

How do I get the perfect tree shape with frosting?

Using a piping bag with a Wilton 1M tip and steady vertical motions will give you the classic tree swirl. Start from the bottom and move up in rings, finishing with a small peak on top.

Can I skip the ganache filling?

Yes, the ganache is optional. The cupcakes are fantastic on their own with just the frosting, but the ganache adds a lovely surprise of creamy chocolate inside.

How do I prevent the green frosting from getting too runny?

Use high-quality gel or powder food coloring, which requires less liquid and won’t thin out your frosting. If needed, chill the frosting slightly before piping to help it hold its shape better.

Final Thoughts

There is something incredibly joyful about baking and sharing a batch of festive cupcakes, and this Tree Cupcakes Recipe truly delivers that joy in every bite and swirl of frosting. Whether you’re celebrating the holidays or just craving a chocolatey treat with a charming twist, these cupcakes will brighten up any occasion. I hope you enjoy making and eating them as much as I do!