Mike Garten
'Tis the season — for baking, that is. With the holidays nearly here, we're dreaming of all the delectable Christmas desserts that will be on the table soon. Christmas cookies might get a lot of the praise (and for good reason!) but there are plenty of other Christmas treats to look forward to. We're talking pies, tarts, and of course, delicious cupcakes.
The best part about making cupcakes is how creative you can be. Your cupcakes can look like a gorgeous wreath, a snowman, a portrait of Santa Claus, snowflakes and so much more. With that said, we've rounded up some of the best Christmas cupcake recipes for you to try this season.
Baking and decorating these cupcakes can also double as a fun holiday activity. If you're looking for a way to spend the day with kids, these cupcake recipes will keep everyone entertained. Even tweens and teens will have fun with some of the more elaborate ideas, though little kids are also sure to have a blast. Cupcakes are also a great treat to bring to any holiday party. But if you're not sure whether your baking skills are up to snuff, you can always bring a batch of Christmas cocktails instead. That's almost always a contribution that's sure to be appreciated!
Mike Garten
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Apple Pie Cupcakes
Everyone's favorite pie, now in cupcake form. The apple compote is key.
Get the Apple Pie Cupcakes recipe.
Mike Garten
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Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Ginger Meringue
Sweet potato isn't just a side dish this year — it's also part of your dessert course! No one will be able to resist the toasted ginger meringue.
Get the Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Ginger Meringue recipe.
Mike Garten
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Chocolate-Pecan Cupcakes
These rich chocolatey cupcakes have a crunchy caramel-pecan filling. They'll be gone before you know it.
Get the Chocolate-Pecan Cupcakes recipe.
Mike Garten
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Carrot-Pineapple Cupcakes
Mix things up this year with these creative and eye-catching cupcakes. The DIY pineapple flowers are sure to impress anyone.
Get the Carrot-Pineapple Cupcakes recipe.
MIKE GARTEN
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Holly Cupcakes
Match your cupcakes to your Christmas decorations by topping each one with some holly leaf cookies and a candied cranberry.
Get the Holly Cupcakes recipe.
Kat Teutsch
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Cupcake Wreath
The prettiest holiday wreath to make this season ... but you get to eat it instead of just hanging it on your front door.
Get the Cupcake Wreath recipe.
RELATED: 81 Stunning Christmas Wreaths to Bring Cheer to Your Front Door
MIKE GARTEN
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Pecan Cupcakes with Spiced Vanilla Frosting
Spice up your Christmas feast by making these cupcakes for dessert, full of warm, holiday-inspired flavors.
Get the Pecan Cupcakes with Spiced Vanilla Frosting recipe.
Con Poulos
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Red Velvet Cupcakes
Just when you thought that red-velvet cupcakes couldn't get any better, these have an extra bit of festive piped icing on top of the regular cream cheese frosting.
Get the Red Velvet Cupcakes recipe.
Mike Garten
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Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Hey, your pumpkin cravings don't go away when Thanksgiving ends. Keep it going through Christmas, too.
Get the Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.
RELATED: 44 Sweet and Savory Pumpkin Recipes to Make This Fall
Con Poulos
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Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcakes
Use a pastry bag to easily pipe the luscious peanut butter filling into simple chocolate cupcakes.
Get the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcakes recipe.
RELATED: 25 Easy and Creative Chocolate Desserts That You Haven't Tried Yet
MIKE GARTEN
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Mr. Claus Pull-Apart Cupcakes
Try a pull-apart cupcake recipe depicting the King of Christmas himself.
Get the Mr. Claus Pull-Apart Cupcakes recipe from Woman's Day.
Alexandra Rowley; Food styling by Stephana Bottom; Prop styling by Megan Hedgpeth
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Christmas Tree Cupcakes
The present under this tree? An upside down ice cream cone covered in icing and sprinkles.
Get the Christmas Tree Cupcakes recipe from Country Living.
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Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting
If you are a fan of Peppermint Bark, go ahead and try these cupcakes with crushed peppermint mixed in the frosting — perfect for Christmas!
Get the Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting recipe from The Pioneer Woman.
MIKE GARTEN
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Vanilla-Coconut Snow-People Cupcakes
For anyone with a serious sweet tooth, these incorporate all of your favorite candies for an adorable holiday dessert.
Get the Vanilla-Coconut Snow-People Cupcakes recipe from Woman's Day.
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Christmas Tree Cupcakes
These trees may not be lush, but they're far more chocolatey and delicious than your average evergreen.
Get the Christmas Tree Cupcakes recipe from Woman's Day.
CON POULOS
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Scrooge Cupcakes
The only Scrooge you'll want around this Christmas is one that's made of warm spiced cupcakes.
Get the Scrooge Cupcakes recipe from Woman's Day
PARKER FEIERBACH
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Christmas Light Cupcakes
Simply add some decorating gel and Mini M&M's atop frosted cupcakes for an easy (yet super impressive!) Christmas lights effect.
Get the Christmas Light Cupcakes recipe from Delish.
Steve Giralt
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Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Making these festive Christmas tree toppers is so much easier than you think (plus, shredded coconut makes for the perfect snow!).
Get the Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Cupcakes recipe from Woman's Day.
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Grinchy Pull-Apart Cupcakes
Even the biggest holiday grouch will love these ultra-festive cupcakes.
Get the Grinchy Pull-Apart Cupcakes recipe from Delish.
Chelsea Lupkin
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Peppermint Bark Cupcakes
Because why wouldn't you want to eat your favorite holiday treat — peppermint bark — in cupcake form?
Get the Peppermint Bark Cupcakes recipe from Delish.
Becky Luigart-Stayner
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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 Christmas Candy Cupcakes recipe from Country Living.
Jonathan Boulton
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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 Santa Hat Cupcakes recipe from Delish.
Steve Giralt
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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 Polar Bear Cupcakes recipe from Woman's Day.
Chelsea Lupkin
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Creme Brûlée Cupcakes
The creme brûlée taste you love with a cupcake underneath — what a gift!
Get the Creme Brûlée Cupcakes recipe from Delish.
Con Poulos
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Elf Snowball Cupcakes
These coconut-covered cupcakes — minus the elf embellishments — are a homemade take on your childhood favorites, Snow Balls.
Get the Elf Snowball Cupcakes recipe from Woman's Day
Jon Boulton
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Ferrero Rocher Stuffed Cupcakes
Make good use of everyone's favorite holiday chocolates with this delicious cupcake recipe — it has Nutella on the inside and a Ferrero Rocher chocolate on top.
Get the Ferrero Rocher Stuffed Cupcakes recipe from Delish.
Life, Love and Sugar
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Sparkling Cranberry White Chocolate Cupcakes
Trust us: These elegant cupcakes will definitely be the star of your Christmas table spread.
Get the Sparkling Cranberry White Chocolate Cupcakes recipe from Life, Love, and Sugar.
Sugar, Spice & Glitter
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Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
Best paired with a cozy mug of hot chocolate, of course.
Get the Hot Chocolate Cupcakes recipe from Sugar, Spice and Glitter.
Butternut Bakery
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Gingerbread Cupcakes
Why should you have to decide between a gingerbread cookie and a gingerbread cupcake, when you can get both in one scrumptious treat?
Get the Gingerbread Cupcakes recipe from Butternut Bakery.
Inside BruCrew Life
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Eggnog Latte Cupcakes
Turn your favorite Christmas cocktails into cupcakes, complete with an ultra-creamy coffee frosting on top.
Get the Eggnog Latte Cupcakes recipe from Inside BruCrew Life.