24 Adorable Christmas Cupcakes That Light Up the Dessert Table -

Introduction

Christmas cupcakes bring instant joy—tiny, festive, and perfect for any holiday celebration. Whether you love classic flavors or playful decorations, these cupcake ideas are easy to bake, fun to decorate, and guaranteed to bring smiles. Enjoy this list of adorable cupcake recipes that are great for parties, gifting, or cozy evenings at home.

1. Snowman Vanilla Cupcakes

These playful cupcakes look like mini snowmen bundled up for winter fun.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Frosting + marshmallows + mini chocolate chips for decoration

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
Add eggs and vanilla.
Mix in dry ingredients alternately with milk.
Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake 18–20 minutes.
Pipe frosting and decorate with marshmallow snowman heads.

How to Serve It

Add a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra snowy effect.

2. Santa Hat Cupcakes

Cute, bold, and instantly festive—these cupcakes always steal the spotlight.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
¾ cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
Frosting + red gel coloring

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
Beat butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.
Alternate dry mixture with milk.
Bake 18 minutes.
Pipe red frosting hats and add the white trim.

How to Serve It

Place on a tray lined with faux snow for a cute display.

3. Gingerbread Cupcakes

Warm spices make these cupcakes taste like Christmas in every bite.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
¾ cup milk
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking powder
Cream cheese frosting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix dry ingredients and spices.
Beat butter and sugars and add eggs.
Add milk and dry mixture.
Bake 20 minutes.
Frost and top with mini gingerbread cookies.

How to Serve It

Add mini candy canes for extra charm.

4. Peppermint Swirl Cupcakes

Fresh, minty, and cheerful—perfect for December gatherings.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
½ cup butter
¾ cup milk
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 tsp baking soda
Swirled peppermint frosting

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix dry ingredients.
Beat butter and sugar; add eggs.
Mix in peppermint and milk.
Bake 18–20 minutes.
Pipe swirled frosting and add crushed peppermint.

How to Serve It

Top with a small peppermint stick for decoration.

5. Reindeer Chocolate Cupcakes

These adorable cupcakes bring Rudolph to life in the sweetest way.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
¾ cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Pretzels + candy eyes + red candies
Chocolate frosting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare batter and bake 18 minutes.
Frost with chocolate icing.
Add antlers, eyes, and nose.

How to Serve It

Arrange in rows for a full reindeer team effect.

6. Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Cozy, warm, and perfect for winter nights.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Marshmallow frosting

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix dry ingredients.
Beat wet ingredients and combine.
Bake 18–20 minutes.
Frost and top with marshmallows.

How to Serve It

Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

7. Christmas Tree Cupcakes

These cupcakes look like mini edible Christmas trees.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
½ cup butter
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Green frosting + sprinkles

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Make batter and bake 18 minutes.
Pipe tall green frosting.
Decorate with candy ornaments.

How to Serve It

Sprinkle powdered sugar for a snowy effect.

8. Red Velvet Christmas Cupcakes

A classic holiday favorite with gorgeous color and smooth flavor.

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
½ cup buttermilk
2 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
Red coloring
Cream cheese frosting

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix dry ingredients.
Beat wet ingredients and combine.
Add color.
Bake 18 minutes.
Frost and sprinkle crumbs.

How to Serve It

Top with holiday sprinkles.

9. Candy Cane Crunch Cupcakes

Crunchy, minty, and festive for December.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp peppermint extract
Crushed candy cane
Frosting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Make batter.
Bake 18–20 minutes.
Frost and add crushed candy cane.

How to Serve It

Serve immediately to keep the candy cane crisp.

10. Eggnog Cupcakes

Soft and creamy with warm winter spices.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup eggnog
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
Frosting

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F.
Mix dry ingredients.
Beat wet ingredients; combine.
Bake 18 minutes.
Frost and sprinkle cinnamon.

How to Serve It

Add a tiny star cookie on top.

11. North Pole Cupcakes

These cupcakes look like they came straight from Santa’s snowy village.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Blue gel coloring
Frosting + candy sticks

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Beat butter and sugar.
Add eggs and vanilla.
Mix dry ingredients and milk in alternation.
Add a touch of blue coloring.
Bake 18–20 minutes.
Frost and place candy “North Pole” sticks.

How to Serve It

Dust with sanding sugar for a sparkling snow effect.

12. Ornament Ball Cupcakes

These cupcakes look like edible ornaments ready for the tree.

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
¾ cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Frosting + colored sprinkles
Mini candy hooks

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F.
Prepare batter and bake 18 minutes.
Shape frosting into round domes.
Roll domes in colorful sprinkles.
Add candy hooks.

How to Serve It

Group by colors for a festive display.

13. Cookies & Cream Holiday Cupcakes

A simple favorite with a seasonal twist.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
½ cup butter
¾ cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Crushed chocolate cookies
Frosting

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare batter and bake 18 minutes.
Mix crushed cookies into frosting.
Frost generously.

How to Serve It

Top with a mini cookie for extra crunch.

14. Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

Soft, sweet, and full of cozy cinnamon flavor.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
Frosting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix dry ingredients.
Beat butter and sugar; add eggs and vanilla.
Add milk and dry mixture.
Bake 18 minutes.
Frost and sprinkle cinnamon sugar.

How to Serve It

Add a tiny cinnamon stick for decoration.

15. Snowflake Lemon Cupcakes

Bright, fresh, and lightly citrusy—perfect for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tbsp lemon zest
2 tbsp lemon juice
Frosting + edible snowflakes

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F.
Mix dry ingredients.
Beat butter and sugar, add eggs and lemon.
Add milk and dry mixture.
Bake 18–20 minutes.
Frost and place snowflakes.

How to Serve It

Add a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for a frosty touch.

16. Polar Bear Cupcakes

These cute cupcakes bring a winter wonderland vibe.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
White frosting
Marshmallows + candy eyes

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F.
Prepare vanilla batter and bake 18 minutes.
Frost with thick white icing.
Add marshmallow ears and candy eyes.

How to Serve It

Place on a platter covered with shredded coconut “snow.”

17. Chocolate Mint Chip Cupcakes

A refreshing mix of chocolate and mint with holiday charm.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
½ cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
½ cup butter
¾ cup milk
1 tsp mint extract
Mini chocolate chips
Green-tinted frosting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix dry ingredients.
Beat butter and sugar; add eggs and mint.
Add milk; combine.
Bake 18–20 minutes.
Frost and add chocolate chips.

How to Serve It

Top with extra chips for crunch.

18. Cranberry Spice Cupcakes

Warm spices and bright cranberries make these cupcakes feel festive.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup chopped cranberries
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
Frosting

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F.
Mix dry ingredients and spices.
Beat wet ingredients; combine with dry mixture.
Stir in cranberries.
Bake 20 minutes.
Frost and top with sugared cranberries.

How to Serve It

Add a tiny rosemary sprig for a holiday pop.

19. Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

A bright citrus twist on rich chocolate flavor.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
½ cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
½ cup butter
¾ cup milk
1 tbsp orange zest
Orange-tinted frosting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Prepare batter and add orange zest.
Bake 18 minutes.
Frost and garnish with candied slices.

How to Serve It

Add orange zest curls for color.

20. Marshmallow Igloo Cupcakes

Fun, cute, and perfect for winter-themed parties.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
White frosting
Mini marshmallows

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F.
Make vanilla batter and bake 18 minutes.
Frost rounded tops.
Cover in mini marshmallows to form an igloo.

How to Serve It

Place on a board with coconut “snow.”

21. Holiday Sprinkle Cupcakes

Cheerful, simple, and perfect for busy holiday weeks.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Frosting
Holiday sprinkles

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F.
Prepare batter and bake 18 minutes.
Frost and add sprinkles.

How to Serve It

Use different sprinkle blends for variety.

22. Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Sweet caramel and tart apple make a cozy holiday cupcake.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup grated apple
Frosting
Caramel drizzle

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix dry ingredients.
Beat wet ingredients; add grated apple.
Bake 18–20 minutes.
Frost and drizzle caramel.

How to Serve It

Add a thin apple slice on top.

23. Sugar Cookie Cupcakes

A cupcake-meets-cookie treat perfect for Christmas Eve.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Frosting + mini cookies

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F.
Prepare batter and bake 18 minutes.
Frost and add star cookies.

How to Serve It

Add gold sprinkles for sparkle.

24. Holiday Red & Green Marble Cupcakes

Colorful inside and out—these cupcakes brighten any dessert table.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup milk
Red & green gel colors
Frosting

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F.
Split batter and tint each portion.
Spoon alternating colors into liners and swirl lightly.
Bake 18 minutes.
Frost with white icing.

How to Serve It

Top with red and green sprinkles for a festive finish.

Conclusion

Christmas cupcakes are a joyful way to bring sparkle to any celebration. With so many flavors, colors, and decorations to choose from, there’s something here for every baker and every party. Pick a favorite, try a few, or save the whole list for later—these cute cupcakes are sure to bring smiles all season long.

Riley Carson