Christmas Light Cupcakes Recipe
Introduction
Celebrate the holidays with festive Christmas Light Cupcakes! These rich devil’s food cupcakes topped with creamy cream cheese frosting and colorful candy lights bring fun and flavor to any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
- Devil’s food cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 8-ounce block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Black decorating gel
- Mini M&Ms
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two muffin tins with cupcake liners. Prepare the cupcake batter according to the package instructions. Fill each liner about three-quarters full with batter. Bake for 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.
- Step 2: Make the cream cheese frosting by beating the heavy cream in a large bowl until stiff peaks form; set aside. In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until light and fluffy. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until combined.
- Step 3: Transfer the frosting into a piping bag or a large Ziploc bag with the corner cut off. Pipe frosting onto each cooled cupcake, creating a generous height. Use black decorating gel to trace a wavy line around the edges of the frosting. Attach mini M&Ms along this black line to mimic colorful Christmas lights.
Tips & Variations
- For extra stability, chill the cream cheese block before whipping and ensure all ingredients are cold when making frosting.
- Swap mini M&Ms for small gumdrops or colored sprinkles to create different light effects.
- Use a toothpick to slightly swirl the frosting peaks for a softer look before adding the light details.
Storage
Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow cupcakes to come to room temperature before serving for best flavor. If desired, re-chill briefly to firm the frosting after serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cupcakes a day or two in advance and keep them wrapped tightly at room temperature. Frost and decorate them just before serving for best freshness.
What can I use if I don’t have black decorating gel?
If you don’t have decorating gel, you can carefully pipe a thin line using melted dark chocolate or use a fine-tipped black food-safe marker designed for frosting.
PrintChristmas Light Cupcakes Recipe
Celebrate the holiday season with these festive Christmas Light Cupcakes featuring rich devil’s food cake topped with creamy homemade cream cheese frosting and decorated with colorful mini M&Ms to mimic holiday lights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 24 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- Devil’s food cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
Frosting
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 8 oz. block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Decoration
- Black decorating gel
- Mini M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two muffin tins with cupcake liners. Prepare the devil’s food cake batter according to the package instructions, then fill each liner about three-quarters full.
- Bake Cupcakes: Bake the cupcakes for about 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
- Make Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form and set aside. In another bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.
- Frost Cupcakes: Transfer the cream cheese frosting to a piping bag or a large Ziploc bag with a corner cut off. Pipe the frosting generously onto the cooled cupcakes to create a nice height.
- Decorate With Lights: Using black decorating gel, trace a black line around the frosting on each cupcake to mimic the wiring for Christmas lights. Then, stick mini M&Ms along the black line to imitate colorful Christmas lights, creating a cheerful and festive look.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting or sliding of frosting.
- Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps in the frosting.
- Adjust the number of mini M&Ms per cupcake depending on cupcake size and desired decoration density.
- The black decorating gel is essential to help the M&Ms mimic the look of lights on a string.
Keywords: Christmas cupcakes, holiday desserts, devil’s food cake, cream cheese frosting, festive cupcakes, holiday baking, Christmas lights decoration
