When I first thought of this, I couldn’t wait to make it! I started out making my vanilla cupcakes and attached them to a styrofoam tree using toothpicks. Next I colored my buttercream by using green and brown food coloring to achieve that classic Christmas tree color. Using a star tip, I piped the buttercream on all the cupcakes. I used more toothpicks to attach gumdrops to the tree to look like lights, and fill in the gaps. I added some more candy and stars made out of fondant to add more detail. The last thing I did was cover a star in gold disco dust for the top of the tree. You had to know the disco dust was coming! There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating this tree, and it’s a wonderful project for kids to get involved in. I hope you make a cupcake tree this season. Enjoy the video!
What you’ll need
- 65 -70 mini cupcakes
- 1 batch buttercream
- green and brown food coloring
- styrofoam tree – The one I use is 3 7/8 in x 14 7/8 in
- toothpicks
- gumdrops, assorted candy
- gold dragees
- fondant, star cutter, and gold disco dust for the star
- pastry bag & star tip ( #825)
- Skewer frozen cupcake on tree. They are easier to work with when frozen.
- Pipe green buttercream on the cupcakes.
- Using toothpicks, wedge gumdrops on tree wherever there are gaps.
- Decorate with assorted candy & dragees.
- Dust a fondant star with gold disco dust. Once it dries place it on top of the tree.
Vanilla Cupcakes
- 1 & 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
- 1 & 1/2 cups sugar
- 6 egg yolks
- 6 egg whites
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1t. vanilla bean paste
- 3 cups cake flour
- 1t. salt
- 3/4t. baking powder
- 3/4t. baking soda
- 1 cup sour cream
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cream butter & sugar till light and fluffy.
- Add egg yolks & vanilla bean paste.
- Sift dries together. Alternate adding dries with sour cream . Always start and end with your dries. Set batter aside.
- In a clean bowl, whip egg whites and sugar until stiff.
- Gently fold whites into the batter in 3 additions.
- Line cupcake tins with liners, and fill them 3/4 of the way with batter.
- Bake approx. 10 minutes rotating once halfway through.
- Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, freeze them till ready to use.
Cupcake Buttercream
- 2 & 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp.
- 4 & 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1t. vanilla extract
- green and brown food coloring
- Cream butter and powdered sugar. Add 1 cup at a time on low speed so you don’t have a powdered sugar shower in your kitchen!
- Add vanilla extract.
- Add green food coloring and a few drops of brown to achieve that Christmas tree color.
artbyjazraf says
>Meghan I'm right there with you when it comes to Christmas…Your cup cake tree is incredible…great party idea…what am I taking about, this tree is a party.
Cookin' Cowgirl says
>So so so super cool!! That thing is awesome!!
Sarah Catherine says
>This is awesome!! I would love to make a cupcake tree with my daughter <3
Hannah says
>Beautiful! Love the bright colours, really Christmassy and a fab idea!
Gina says
>This is super cute, but what if Santa got so distracted eating it, that he forgot to leave the presents.
-Gina-
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
>So freaking awesome!
Kiri W. says
>Wow! That is totally cute! I can't imagine how many perfectly frosted cupcakes I'd splat on the floor, trying to construct these, haha.
I'd looove to nibble your tree 😉
Cassie/Bake Your Day says
>This is adorable. You are so talented!
Tina says
>I would definitely trade in the cupcake stand for one of these. This post really does reflect your passion for Christmas as well as creating in the kitchen. Bravo to your efforts here and thanks for the inspiration. Buzz Buzz!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
>OMG THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!!!
Lizzy says
>SO gorgeous!!! LOVE this idea for Christmas…now if you could just visit me and do an icing intervention, maybe I could make one, too 🙂
Steph says
>These are so fun!! What a great idea!
bananamondaes says
>This is incredible – a show stopper!!!! WOW
Lacy says
>How cool is this?! They look incredible!! Amazing job!
janet@fromcupcakestocaviar says
>This is awesome, Meghan! I know that even if it's easy, MY skill level would end with cupcakes everywhere and frosting on the ceilings but I am still going to drool over this one.
thepurplespoon says
>those are incredible! what an awesome idea!
Magic of Spice says
>Oh wow, that is amazing!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
>This is stunning! A centerpiece and dessert all in one! So pretty!
Hezzi-D says
>Your cupcake tree is gorgeous! I wish I had the patience to make it myself!
thesmartcookiecook.com says
>This is beautiful! You are so talented. What a perfect holiday treat, and not quite as complicated as I would've imagined. The video is very helpful!
Kim Bee says
>You are amazing. So much talent, this is really remarkable. Love it.
Sandra says
>You rocked this one!!
Ann says
>This is absolutely amazing! I've pinned it and tweeted the pin! One of the prettiest Christmas ideas I've seen yet! BRAVO!
Amalia says
>This is amazing! Wow! I don't know what else to say…this is so creative and stunning! It looks so detailed, you're super talented! 🙂
Elies_Lie says
>super great idea for christmas!
tq fr sharing 😉
Belinda @zomppa says
>This is mad cool! I almost wouldn't want to touch it…almost.
Elisabeth says
>What an amazing Christmas tree! All edible…just can't imagine wanting to mess it up, with kids and adults alike grabbing at those yummy frosted cupcakes that so much work went into it! Strictly for show…would not let anyone get even near it, but that's just ME!
Simply gorgeous:DDD
Eftychia says
>Oh, my kids will be thrilled with this Christmas Cake. Such a nice idea!!
Cajunlicious says
>Meghan this is so beautiful!
RavieNomNoms says
>SOOOOO cute!
Little Housewife says
>WOW! Those looks truly amazing and so creative, almost a store display like! Im so tempted to do one, but Im pretty sure my tree will be crooked 😉 Wishing you all the best!
Cupcake Chromatography says
>Remarkable! Awesome for a Christmas party! Thank you for sharing!
Lynds says
>By far the most amazing Christmas tree I have seen…EVER! Love it, it really is amazing!
Jaime says
>Wow, this is a show stopper cake for sure!! Gorgeous Christmas and best thing is it can be eaten!
Peggy says
>The cupcake tree looks so festive! I love it =)
Becky says
>I am speechles! Your cupcake tree is amazing and so creative, and gorgeous. Congrats on the Top 9.
Sheri says
>I love this tree!! Congrats on top 9!
Sandra says
>Congratulations!!
Fahad Khan says
>This is a great idea!A joy to kids and grown ups alike,I am sure.:-)
Elyse @The Cultural Dish says
>Wow! This is just amazing! Congrats on the top 9!
Anonymous says
>I really like this idea. I have done something similar using cream puffs and then pouring melted green icing over them. Delish!
Ann - Edible Education says
>fantastic – just beautiful, I also tried chocolate covered strawberries as the filler.
Heidi @ CrockPotLadies.com says
>That is adorable, my kids would demolish that in 10 seconds flat!
Jen says
>Wow! That is absolutely amazing! I would love to try something like that, but I don't think mine would turn out as pretty as yours.
SamCyn says
>Wow, this is really beautiful…Love it!
1-2Punch says
>Congratulats for being on best picks for Food Buzz, this one puts you way on top! Just adorable!
Caitlin says
>This is so cute. I just can't get over it. I want to make one now!
Amber, RD says
>B-E-A-utiful! Absolutely love it!!
Linda Y/PA says
>Absolutely amazingly beautiful and so creative. Will be trying this for Christmas this year. Congrats and thanks for sharing.
alana says
>That must have taken forever but it looks great!
April @ Ape's Eats says
>This is amazing! Congrats on the Top 9 🙂
Donna says
>Love this!! Perfect Christmas centerpiece. Thank you for sharing!
visda says
>wow! This looks amazing and delicious! Congrats on top 9 and Happy Holidays!
Marcellina says
>Fantastic cupcake tree! Love your blog!
Buttercream Blondie says
>Thanks to everyone for all your kind words! So happy you guys like it 🙂
Jen at The Three Little Piglets says
>SOOO cute! And congrats on it making it to the Top 9!
Anonymous says
>cuteeeee…where can we buy this styrofoam tree??pplz let me know..
Buttercream Blondie says
>Thanks! You can get the styrofoam tree at Michaels.
FoodandWineChickie says
>Okay, your frosting didn't droop or slice right off the cupcakes? Maybe the icing is stiffer than a standard one? I'd love to fully understand before committing to making it for a party I'm bring dessert for.
Buttercream Blondie says
>Nope, frosting didn't droop at all. I made a stiff buttercream that worked really well.
Gerry @Foodness Gracious says
>Your a brave one O great Michael Angelo 😉
How the heck did you come up with this, it's awesome. Can you build me a cupcake house I can live in??
Take care..
Foodie Writes says
>This is so beautiful! What a great idea!
Amy says
>This is spectacular! So much more beautiful than simply placing the cupcakes on a table. I am sure they are delicious as well, since I am sure you are a pro at making them :)!
Parsley Sage says
>My internet is mad at me and not letting me load the video! Grrrr! I'm sure its awesome though and this cupcake tree is fantabulous! So pro 🙂
A Spoonful of Yumm says
>fabulous !! looks so festive & colorful…great idea . happy holidays !
Jaime says
>Hi Meghan!
The cake is absolutely gorgeous! I sent your link to my friend Soph, she was put in charge of puds this year and made it for Christmas. Photo in the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=310117222361837&set=a.308668645840028.73780.272057369501156&type=1&theater
Thank you for inspiring us all with your amazing creations! Merry Christmas!
Jaime
Naomi says
This is gorgeous! Thank you for the step-by-step instructions. I am going to try and make one in a menorah shape for Chanukah and another for my inlaws for Christmas!
Amy @FragrantVanillaCake says
This is so beautiful Meghan :)! Wonderful job, and I am sure the cupcakes tasted amazing! Almost too pretty to eat, but I would dive in ;).