Easy Cupcake Decorating Ideas Christmas

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40 Festive Christmas Cupcakes to Add to Your Holiday Baking List

Move over, Christmas cookies — these creative cupcakes make for the perfect holiday dessert.

Steve Giralt

Why should Christmas cookies get to have all the fun? When it comes to the best Christmas desserts to bake for the holidays, cupcakes are one of the most overlooked — and most underrated — treats of all. Sure, they may sometimes be outshined by an ambitious Bûche de Noël or an epic gingerbread house, but the best Christmas cupcakes offer plenty of festive flavors and holiday cheer — not to mention so many creative decorating ideas, from fun cupcake toppers to decadent frosting, candy snowflakes and more.

Luckily, to help inspire your creative holiday baking session, we've rounded up the best Christmas cupcake ideas to try out this season, from gingerbread cupcakes to festive cupcake wreaths. Making these delicious Christmas treats is as easy as starting out with a base flavor, which can come in irresistible seasonal choices like gingerbread or eggnog. Once you've got the base set, get ready to go crazy: Donut holes and marshmallows can become snowmen. Red frosting can make Santa hats. Plus, just about anything can become a Christmas tree, from an upside-down ice cream cone to expertly shaped melting chocolate. Now, why doesn't Santa ask for these to be left out instead of cookies?

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Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Cupcakes

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Grinchy Pull-Apart Cupcakes

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Sparkling Cranberry White Chocolate Cupcakes

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Christmas Candy Cupcakes

Don't look any further than the candy aisle for these festive toppers. A bag of mint M&M's offers multiple shades of green, while marshmallows dusted with red sanding sugar mimic poinsettia petals.

Get the recipe from Country Living »

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Red Velvet Cupcakes

Just when you thought that red-velvet cupcakes couldn't get any better, these add an extra bit of festive piped icing on top of the regular cream cheese frosting.

Get the recipe for Red Velvet Cupcakes »

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Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

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Santa Hat Cupcakes

Not a big icing fan? Swap out the piped cream cheese frosting for a cored strawberry and a little whipped cream.

Get the recipe from Delish »

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Polar Bear Cupcakes

With donut holes for heads and gumdrops for ears, these little cuties are like three treats in one. Don't forget the fondant scarves!

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

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Ferrero Rocher Stuffed Cupcakes

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Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes

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Marshmallow Snowman Cupcakes

Move over, Frosty. Here comes frosting. The snowmen are made from marshmallows, pretzel sticks, black or brown sprinkles, Reese's chocolate bells and orange Dots.

Get the recipe from Cooking Classy »

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Candy Cane Oreo Cupcakes

Put a little twist on the classic chocolate-mint combo by bringing in milk's favorite cookie. Besides crushed Oreos in the frosting and whole Oreos on top, each cupcake liner gets an Oreo half (cream side up!) as a base.

Get the recipe from Your Cup of Cake »

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Snow Angel Cupcakes

Take a break from the heavy stuff with some perfectly proportioned angel food cakes. Topped with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh raspberries, it's an unexpected but totally welcome holiday dessert.

Get the recipe from The Cake Blog »

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Polar Bear Paw Cupcakes

Kids can help decorate this one, since no fancy icing skills are needed. Just dunk your cupcakes in coconut and press on a peppermint patty and some chocolate-covered raisins.

Get the recipe from One Little Project »

Gabriella Vigoreaux Contributor Gabriella is a freelance writer and recipe developer based in Lakeland, Florida.

Caroline Picard Health Editor Caroline is the Health Editor at GoodHousekeeping.com covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news.

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