Ah, the magic of the holiday season! One of my absolute favorite things to do is whip up a batch of these delightful *Christmas cupcakes*. They’re not just treats; they’re little bites of joy that fill your kitchen with the most wonderful aromas! Imagine the smell of buttery cake mixed with sweet cream cheese frosting—it’s enough to make anyone feel festive! These cupcakes are perfect for holiday gatherings, whether you’re hosting a party or bringing a sweet surprise to a friend’s house. Plus, they’re super easy to make, which means more time to enjoy the season! Trust me, once you taste one, you’ll be hooked. They’re fluffy, flavorful, and topped with colorful sprinkles that scream “celebration!” So grab your apron because we’re about to embark on a delicious holiday adventure!
Ingredients List
Let’s gather our ingredients for these fabulous *Christmas cupcakes*! You’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar (packed for extra sweetness)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Red and green sprinkles for that festive touch!
- 1 cup cream cheese frosting to top it all off
These simple ingredients come together to create a cupcake that’s bursting with holiday cheer!
How to Prepare Christmas Cupcakes
Prepping for Baking
First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and toasty when our cupcakes are ready to bake! While that’s heating up, grab your cupcake pan and line it with festive cupcake liners. I love using bright red and green ones to really get into the holiday spirit! You’ll need 12 liners for this batch, so make sure you have them all ready to go.
Mixing the Batter
Now, let’s dive into the fun part—mixing our batter! In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. Next, add in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps keep everything nice and airy! Then, stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely flavor. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients—this keeps the batter from getting too heavy. Mix until just combined; we want to avoid overmixing to keep those cupcakes fluffy!
Baking and Cooling
Now it’s time to fill those liners! Spoon the batter into each cupcake liner, filling them about two-thirds full. This allows room for them to rise beautifully. Pop them in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. You can check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cupcake; if it comes out clean, they’re ready! Once they’re baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Frosting and Decorating
Once your cupcakes are completely cool, it’s time for the star of the show: the cream cheese frosting! Using a piping bag or a simple spatula, generously frost each cupcake. Don’t be shy—this is where you can really get creative! Sprinkle a handful of red and green sprinkles on top for that festive flair. Trust me, these colorful little touches make all the difference and add that holiday magic!
Nutritional Information
Let’s chat about the nutritional goodness of these delightful *Christmas cupcakes*! Each cupcake is roughly estimated to contain about 250 calories, with 10 grams of fat and 20 grams of sugar. They also provide 3 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber, making them a sweet treat that can fit into your holiday festivities. Remember, these values are estimates, so enjoy them as part of a balanced diet while celebrating the season!
FAQ Section
Got questions about these scrumptious *Christmas cupcakes*? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! If you’re wondering about storage, simply keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate them for a few extra days if you want them to last longer.
Thinking of making them ahead of time? Absolutely! These cupcakes can be baked a day in advance. Just wait to frost them until you’re ready to serve—this keeps the frosting fresh and delicious. As for substitutions, feel free to swap out the cream cheese frosting for a vanilla buttercream if you prefer a different taste. You can even add in some festive flavors like peppermint or almond extract for a twist! Enjoy your baking adventure!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy preparation—perfect for busy holiday schedules!
- Festively decorated with red and green sprinkles, bringing cheer to any gathering.
- Deliciously fluffy cupcakes topped with creamy, rich frosting that everyone will adore.
- Great for sharing with friends and family, making your celebrations even sweeter.
- Versatile enough to adapt with different flavors or toppings for a personal touch.
Tips for Success
To ensure your *Christmas cupcakes* turn out perfectly every time, here are some of my top tips! First, make sure your butter is softened to room temperature; this helps it cream better with the sugar, creating that light, fluffy texture we all love. Trust me, it makes a world of difference! Also, when adding the eggs, let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before mixing. This helps them incorporate more smoothly into the batter.
Another pro tip is to avoid overmixing the batter once you add the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined to keep those cupcakes airy and tender. And don’t forget to use an oven thermometer—sometimes ovens can be a bit off, and you want to bake them at the right temperature for the right amount of time. Finally, let your cupcakes cool completely before frosting; this prevents the frosting from melting and ensures a beautiful presentation. Happy baking!
Serving Suggestions
These delightful *Christmas cupcakes* shine on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a few festive treats! Consider serving them alongside a steaming cup of hot cocoa or a spiced apple cider for that warm, cozy vibe. For a little extra indulgence, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of rich chocolate cake makes for a lovely dessert duo. Trust me, your guests will be in holiday heaven!
Imprimer
Christmas Cupcake Bliss: 5 Steps to Holiday Joy
- Temps Total: 40 minutes
- Rendement: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Delicious Christmas cupcakes perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingrédients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Red and green sprinkles
- 1 cup cream cheese frosting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk.
- Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full with batter.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool completely.
- Frost with cream cheese frosting and add sprinkles.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container.
- Can be made a day in advance.
- Use festive cupcake liners for a holiday touch.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 20 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 250
- Sucre: 20g
- De Sodium: 150mg
- La graisse: 10g
- Graisses Saturées: 5g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 3g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 35g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 3g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 40mg
Mots-clés: christmas cupcake, holiday dessert, festive baking
