Christmas Light Cupcakes
These Christmas Light Cupcakes are festive, fun, and delicious! Red velvet cupcakes topped with creamy buttercream and colorful M&M’s to mimic holiday lights.
Equipment
- Muffin Tin
- Cupcake liners
- Mixing Bowls
- Electric Mixer
- Spatula
- Spoons
- Piping Bag
- Small Round Tip
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 box Red Velvet Cake Mix use your favorite brand, follow box instructions
For the Buttercream Frosting
- 3 cups Unsalted Butter room temperature
- 6 cups Powdered Sugar sifted
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- Black Food Coloring a few drops for tinting frosting "wire"
- M&M’s classic plain candy-coated chocolates for light bulbs
Instructions
Prepare the Cake Batter
- Follow the instructions on your red velvet cake mix box to prepare the batter, combining the cake mix with eggs, oil, and water. Mix until smooth but do not overmix. Preheat oven as specified.
Bake the Cupcakes
- Line your muffin tin with cupcake liners. Pour batter evenly into cups, filling about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove and cool on a rack.
Make the Buttercream Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat room temperature unsalted butter until creamy and fluffy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and salt, then beat until light and fluffy.
Tint the Frosting
- Reserve about 1/4 cup of buttercream and mix in a few drops of black food coloring until deep black. Transfer to a piping bag with small round tip.
Frost and Decorate
- Frost cupcakes with white buttercream using a spatula or piping bag creating a smooth or swirled surface.
- Pipe thin, wavy black lines across the frosted cupcakes to mimic Christmas light wires. Natural curves add charm.
- Press colorful M&M’s onto the cupcakes along the black lines to represent light bulbs using a variety of colors.
Serve
- Once decorated, serve immediately or store as directed.
Notes
- Substitute red velvet cake mix with chocolate or vanilla for different flavors.
- Try cream cheese frosting for a tangy twist instead of buttercream.
- Use mini candy canes or edible glitter for extra holiday sparkle.
- Swap M&M’s for allergy-safe candy or chocolate chips if needed.
- Make vegan by using plant-based butter and egg replacer in the cake mix.