Introduction
Christmas cupcakes bring joy to every holiday table — sweet, festive, and full of cheer. From classic red velvet to peppermint-topped delights, these cupcakes are easy to make and perfect for parties, gifts, or cozy nights in. Here are 21 classic Christmas cupcake recipes that will fill your kitchen with the magic of the season.
1. Peppermint Chocolate Cupcakes
Rich chocolate meets refreshing peppermint for a true holiday favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 egg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup hot water
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Whisk wet ingredients separately and combine.
- Fill liners ¾ full and bake for 18–20 minutes.
- Cool before frosting with peppermint buttercream.
How to Serve It
Top with crushed candy canes and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
2. Classic Red Velvet Cupcakes
Soft, moist, and perfectly festive — these red velvet cupcakes are always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups flour
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs, vanilla, and red coloring.
- Mix dry ingredients and combine with wet alternately with buttermilk.
- Stir in vinegar last.
- Bake for 20 minutes and cool completely.
How to Serve It
Frost with cream cheese icing and sprinkle red sugar dust.
3. Gingerbread Cupcakes
Warm spices and molasses make these cupcakes taste like Christmas in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1⅓ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 egg
- ½ cup hot water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix dry ingredients together.
- Cream butter and sugar, then add molasses and egg.
- Combine with dry ingredients and hot water.
- Fill liners and bake for 18 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with cinnamon frosting and mini gingerbread cookies.
4. Eggnog Cupcakes
Creamy, cozy, and full of holiday flavor — eggnog cupcakes bring comfort and cheer.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup eggnog
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla, then mix in dry ingredients alternately with eggnog.
- Bake for 20–22 minutes.
How to Serve It
Frost with eggnog buttercream and dust with nutmeg.
5. White Chocolate Cranberry Cupcakes
Sweet white chocolate pairs beautifully with tart cranberries in these wintery treats.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat butter and sugar.
- Add eggs, then milk.
- Mix in dry ingredients and fold in cranberries and chips.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with white chocolate ganache and sugared cranberries.
6. Hot Cocoa Cupcakes
These cupcakes taste just like your favorite holiday drink — cozy, chocolatey, and fun.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs and milk.
- Mix in dry ingredients.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Frost with marshmallow buttercream and add mini marshmallows.
7. Candy Cane Cupcakes
These peppermint-swirled cupcakes capture the spirit of Christmas perfectly.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- ½ cup milk
- Red food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat butter and sugar. Add eggs and peppermint extract.
- Mix in dry ingredients with milk.
- Divide batter; tint half red.
- Swirl colors in liners and bake for 18–20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with white frosting and crushed candy canes.
8. Snowball Cupcakes
Soft, light, and snowy—these coconut cupcakes look like tiny snowballs fresh from winter wonderland.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ¾ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar until light.
- Add eggs and vanilla, then mix in dry ingredients alternately with coconut milk.
- Fold in shredded coconut.
- Bake for 20 minutes and cool.
How to Serve It
Frost with coconut buttercream and roll in shredded coconut for a “snowball” look.
9. Salted Caramel Cupcakes
A perfect blend of sweet and salty—these cupcakes bring a rich caramel flavor to your Christmas table.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in caramel sauce.
- Mix in dry ingredients alternately with milk.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with salted caramel frosting and drizzle extra caramel on top.
10. Gingerbread Latte Cupcakes
Coffee and spice come together in this cozy cupcake inspired by the classic winter latte.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ginger
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup molasses
- ½ cup strong brewed coffee
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and molasses.
- Combine dry ingredients, then add alternately with coffee.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with espresso buttercream and a dusting of cinnamon.
11. Maple Pecan Cupcakes
Nutty, sweet, and comforting—these cupcakes taste like a cozy holiday morning.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and syrup.
- Mix in dry ingredients alternately with milk.
- Stir in chopped pecans.
- Bake for 20–22 minutes.
How to Serve It
Frost with maple buttercream and sprinkle extra pecans on top.
12. White Christmas Vanilla Cupcakes
Light, fluffy, and elegant—these classic vanilla cupcakes are perfect for every Christmas celebration.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla.
- Mix in dry ingredients with milk.
- Bake 18–20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Decorate with vanilla frosting and white sprinkles for a snowy effect.
13. Spiced Apple Cupcakes
Warm apple and cinnamon notes make these cupcakes smell like Christmas joy.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup grated apple
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Cream butter and sugar, then add egg and grated apple.
- Combine mixtures and bake 20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Frost with cinnamon cream cheese frosting and drizzle caramel.
14. Chocolate Orange Cupcakes
A delightful mix of citrus and chocolate, these cupcakes are rich and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- Zest of 1 orange
- ½ cup orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat butter and sugar.
- Add eggs, zest, and juice.
- Mix in dry ingredients.
- Bake for 18 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with orange buttercream and chocolate curls.
15. Coconut Cream Cupcakes
Light and tropical, these cupcakes bring a sunny twist to winter.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ½ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat butter and sugar, add eggs.
- Mix in dry ingredients and coconut milk.
- Fold in shredded coconut.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Frost with whipped cream and sprinkle toasted coconut on top.
16. Brown Sugar Cinnamon Cupcakes
Sweet, spiced, and cozy—these cupcakes bring the scent of cinnamon rolls to your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add eggs and mix in cinnamon.
- Alternate dry ingredients with milk.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Frost with cinnamon buttercream and sprinkle cinnamon sugar.
17. Pistachio Cupcakes
Nutty and buttery, these cupcakes offer a lovely pop of green for your Christmas dessert spread.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup pistachio pudding mix
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and pudding mix.
- Stir in dry ingredients with milk.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with pistachio frosting and crushed nuts.
18. Mocha Mint Cupcakes
Coffee and mint combine for a rich, refreshing cupcake that feels indulgent yet festive.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup strong coffee
- ½ tsp mint extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add eggs, coffee, and mint extract.
- Mix in dry ingredients.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Frost with mint buttercream and top with chocolate curls.
19. Cherry Almond Cupcakes
A charming mix of cherry sweetness and almond flavor that fits perfectly into any Christmas dessert lineup.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp almond extract
- ½ cup chopped cherries
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and extract.
- Stir in cherries and milk alternately with dry ingredients.
- Bake 20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with almond frosting and a cherry.
20. Sugar Cookie Cupcakes
These cupcakes taste just like a buttery sugar cookie — soft, sweet, and fun to decorate.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla.
- Mix in dry ingredients with milk.
- Bake 18 minutes.
How to Serve It
Frost with vanilla icing and top with festive sprinkles.
21. Toasted Marshmallow Cupcakes
Soft, gooey, and irresistible — these cupcakes taste like a cozy campfire in winter.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs.
- Mix dry ingredients and combine with milk.
- Fold in marshmallows and bake 20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Pipe marshmallow frosting on top and toast gently with a kitchen torch.
22. Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cupcakes
This cupcake blends the classic flavors of peppermint bark with moist chocolate cake — a true holiday showstopper.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- ½ cup crushed peppermint bark
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs and peppermint extract.
- Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then combine with wet ingredients alternately with buttermilk.
- Fold in crushed peppermint bark.
- Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake for 18–20 minutes.
How to Serve It
Frost with peppermint buttercream, top with peppermint bark pieces, and sprinkle crushed candy canes for a festive crunch.
Conclusion
Christmas baking is all about sharing love, laughter, and sweetness — and these 22 cupcake recipes capture exactly that. Whether you’re frosting peppermint swirls, sprinkling cinnamon sugar, or baking a batch of cozy gingerbread cupcakes, each one adds a touch of holiday cheer to your kitchen. Save your favorites, bake a few with family or friends, and let the scent of cupcakes fill your home with Christmas joy. 🎄🧁✨
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