Explore this guide to create Cookie Dough Buttercream Christmas Tree Cupcakes a holiday dessert that combines cupcakes with indulgent and colorful festive edible cookie dough buttercream.
Christmas is one of the ultimate seasons to whip up sweet, festive treats that fill your home with cozy vibes and holiday cheer. These Christmas Cookie Dough Buttercream Cupcakes are a holiday dessert dream come true, combining the softness of a classic cupcake with rich, indulgent cookie dough buttercream that’s just chef’s kiss. Top it all off with a sprinkle of colorful, festive candies, and you’ve got a showstopper that’ll dazzle your family and friends at every holiday event. They’re fun and guaranteed to add a little extra sparkle to your celebrations!
Equipment:
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Large Bowl
- Cookie Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Hand or Stand Electric Mixer
- Spatula
- Piping Bag
Yield: 6-8 Cupcakes
Timings:
- Prep time: 35 minutes
- Active time: 35 minutes
- Idle time: 0 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark is fine)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Mini candy-coated chocolates, for decorating
- Christmas tree candy, for topping
- 6 pre-made cupcakes
Instructions:
- Prepare the Flour:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread the flour evenly across it. Heat the flour for 5 minutes to make it safe to consume (this kills any potential bacteria).
- Allow the flour to cool completely, then stir in the salt.
- Make the Buttercream Base:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the room-temperature butter, brown sugar, and powdered sugar. Using a hand or standing electric mixer, beat the ingredients on medium speed until they are fully incorporated and the texture is fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Vanilla and Milk:
- Pour the vanilla extract into the mixture and beat for an additional minute.
- Then, slowly add your cooled, salted flour to the butter-sugar mixture.
- As the flour is being incorporated, add the milk one tablespoon at a time. Mix until your cookie dough buttercream has a smooth, creamy consistency.Be careful not to over mix, as this could alter the texture of your buttercream.
Assembling the Cupcakes:
- Fold in Chocolate Chips:
- Using a spatula, gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pipe the Buttercream:
- Transfer the cookie dough buttercream into a piping bag and cut a medium-sized hole at the tip.
- Pipe a generous swirl of the frosting onto each cupcake, starting from the outer edge and working your way to the center.
- Decorate:
- Sprinkle the mini candy-coated chocolates around the buttercream.
- Be careful not to fold these into the frosting, as the colors may run and discolor the buttercream.
- Finally, top each cupcake with a festive Christmas tree icing candy.
TMI TIP:
Safety Tip: Heat-treating the flour ensures that it’s safe for use in this raw buttercream recipe. Make sure it cools down completely before mixing.
Decoration Tip: Keep the mini candy-coated chocolates on the outside for a bright, festive look that won’t bleed into your buttercream.
Custom Cupcake Base: While this recipe focuses on the cookie dough buttercream, you can use any cupcake flavor as a base—vanilla, chocolate, or even red velvet work wonderfully!
Pairings for Cookie Dough Buttercream Christmas Tree Cupcakes :
These pairings will highlight the buttery, chocolatey goodness of your Cookie Dough Buttercream Cupcakes, whether you’re serving them as a stand-alone treat or as part of a larger celebration. Let me know if you’d like more ideas!
1. Beverages
- Vanilla Latte
The creamy, slightly sweet flavor of a vanilla latte harmonizes beautifully with the rich cookie dough buttercream. - Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows
A classic hot chocolate pairs perfectly with the buttery, chocolatey notes of the cupcakes. Add whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel for extra indulgence. - Milk (Classic or Flavored)
A cold glass of milk—plain, chocolate, or even vanilla almond milk—is the ultimate nostalgic pairing with cookie dough flavors. - Iced Coffee
A lightly sweetened iced coffee brings a refreshing, caffeinated balance to the decadent cupcakes. - Milkshakes
Pair the cupcakes with a creamy vanilla, chocolate, or cookies-and-cream milkshake for a dessert-on-dessert experience.
3. Ice Cream
- Vanilla Ice Cream
A scoop of vanilla ice cream enhances the cookie dough flavor in the buttercream and adds a cool, creamy texture. - Chocolate Ice Cream
- Rich chocolate ice cream provides a deep, velvety contrast to the light, fluffy cupcake and buttercream.
6. Holiday and Festive Pairings
- Candy Cane Hot Chocolate
Add a peppermint twist to hot chocolate for a festive touch that complements the holiday theme of the cupcakes. - Eggnog
A rich, spiced glass of eggnog enhances the indulgent nature of the cupcakes for a festive holiday treat.
7. Garnishes and Add-Ons
To elevate your cupcake presentation, consider pairing them with:
- A drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce on the plate.
- Crushed cookies or graham crackers sprinkled over the buttercream.
- a light dusting of cocoa or cinnamon.
FAQs:
Can this cookie dough buttercream be made ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make the cookie dough buttercream in advance! Just prepare it and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to use it, let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes and give it a quick mix to restore its creamy consistency before piping onto the cupcakes.
Can I use regular granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar?
- For the buttercream, powdered sugar is best because it dissolves easily and gives the frosting a smooth texture. Using only granulated sugar could make the frosting grainy, so it’s not recommended. If you’re in a pinch, you can try blending granulated sugar in a food processor to make a finer texture, but the results may vary..
Do I have to use Christmas-themed decorations, or can I customize them?
- Feel free to customize the decorations to fit any holiday or celebration! You can swap out the Christmas tree candies for sprinkles, edible glitter, or themed toppers for other occasions like birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or even a New Year’s Eve party.
Can I freeze the buttercream frosting?
- Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough buttercream! Place it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to use it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then beat it with an electric mixer to restore its fluffy texture.
Can I use this frosting recipe on other desserts?
- Definitely! This cookie dough buttercream pairs wonderfully with other desserts like brownies, sugar cookies, or even as a filling for cake layers. Just make sure to adjust the amount of frosting you make based on your needs.
More Fun Ideas:
Make it a Holiday Dessert Buffet!
For a full dessert spread, pair the Cookie Dough Buttercream Christmas Tree Cupcakes with:
- Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
A bite-sized homage to the cupcake’s star ingredient. - Cookie Dough Truffles
Small bites of edible cookie dough dipped in chocolate, for extra cookie dough bliss try my Melted Snowman Truffle Recipe - Layered Dessert Shooters
Mini dessert cups with layers of chocolate mousse, whipped cream, and cookie crumbs to complement the cupcakes.
Storage and Transportation:
Serve your Christmas Cookie Dough Cupcakes immediately or store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days.
More Festive Recipes:
Share and Enjoy!:
These Cookie Dough Buttercream Christmas Tree cupcakes are a delightful way to celebrate the season and make for a beautiful addition to your holiday dessert table. Whether as treats for gatherings, or personalized gifts, these cupcakes offer a perfect way to spread cheer during the festive season. Experiment with various toppings and decorations to suit different tastes and themes, making your celebration even more special and memorable.
Enjoying the yummy recipes on my blog? Don’t forget to share, comment, and subscribe for more delicious content! If you recreate any of these tasty dishes, be sure to tag me @torriemadeit on all platforms, I wanna see your kitchen magic!
Cookie Dough Buttercream Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Equipment
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cups
- Parchment Paper
- Cookie Sheet
- Large Bowl
- Hand or Stand Electric Mixer
- Spatula
- Piping Bags
Ingredients
- 6 Cupcakes
- 1 1/4 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Cup Room Temperature Butter
- 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 3 Tablespoon Milk
- 1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips
- Mini Candy Coated Chocolates
- Christmas Tree Candy For Topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, Then spread the flour evenly across the parchment paper.
- Heat the flour for 5 minutes.
- Allow the flour to cool and then sprinkle salt over the flour.
- Put the butter, brown sugar and powder sugar in a large bowl and mix them until combined. About 3-4 minutes
- Add your vanilla extract into the bowl and mix for about 1 minute.
- Next, add the flour mixture.
- While the flour is mixing,Slowly pour in the milk and mix until the cookie dough buttercream is a smooth consistency.
- Pour in the chocolate chips and u se a spatula to fold in them in the buttercream.
- Put the buttercream frosting in a piping bag, cut a medium size hole on the tip. make it big enough for the chocolate chips to fit through.
- Pipe the cookie dough buttercream frosting in a circle on the top of the cupcake to create a swirl.
- Place the mini candy coated chocolate randomly around the buttercream frosting.
- Lastly. Put the Christmas tree icing candy at the top of the swirl. Serve and Enjoy.
Notes
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