Name: Holly Christmas Cupcakes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup cocoa powder; ¾ cup all-purpose flour; ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp baking soda; ¼ tsp salt; ¾ cup butter (room temperature); 1 cup sugar; 3 eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ½ cup plain yogurt; 1 stick butter (softened); 2 cups confectioners’ sugar; 2 tbsp cocoa powder; 3-4 tbsp milk; ½ cup green candy melts; 1 tsp coconut oil; Red decorating frosting; Christmas cupcake liners; piping bags

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These Holly Christmas Cupcakes are sure to add a little holiday cheer to your table. These chocolate cupcakes are topped with a creamy chocolate-buttercream frosting and decorated with holly leaves and berries for a festive touch.

It’s time for Christmas Treats!

The holiday season is known for being a time for family gatherings and parties with friends. And for those of us who love to cook- it’s a time for Christmas themed desserts!

I love holiday baking, which I’m sure you already know. Some of my favorite Chistmas desserts recipes are:

Holiday desserts are also a great family activity, for when everyone has a bit of time off together over Christmas break. These Christmas-themed Holly Cupcakes are a perfect activity to do with your kids!

While you’re here, be sure to grab this free collection of holiday recipes! It’s packed with vegetarian and vegan-friendly recipes that are perfect for your Christmas dinner.

christmas cupcakes decorated with holly leaves

Let’s Make Holly Christmas Cupcakes!

Start off by prepping your muffin tin with paper liners, so they’re reading when your batter is done. It’s totally worth picking up some inexpensive Christmas cupcake liners for this special treat.

holly cupcakes for christmas being served

Then, use a medium bowl to mix together cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add the eggs, yogurt, and vanilla extract, and whisk together.

I love using yogurt in my cupcake batter, as I think it gives them a nice light texture.

Use an electric mixer on low speed to combine the wet ingredients and dry ingredients.

Now pour the batter into the cupcake liners so that they’re each 2/3 full.

Pop it in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes — until you can insert a toothpick in the center and have the toothpick come out clean.

Make sure you let the cupcakes cool completely before you decorate them. You don’t want wilting holly!

To make the chocolate buttercream frosting, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, sugar cocoa powder, and milk. You’ll know it’s done when semi-stiff peaks form. Set this aside for now.

ingredients for making holly christmas cupcakes

Now comes the more complicated part of the decorating. First, line a baking sheet with wax paper.

Then in a microwave-safe bowl, microwave your green candy and coconut oil in 30-second intervals until it’s completely melted.

green candy melts for making holly cupcake decorations

Scoop the melted candy into a piping bag. Or use a sandwich bag and cut a small slit in one corner.

On your baking sheet, you’re going to draw out the leaves of your holly (about 1 1/2 inch in length).

The easiest way to make the leaves is to pipe “v” shapes continuously working downwards.

using a piping bag to make holly decorations for cupcakes

Do 24 of these leaves and let them set for 15 minutes, until they are a bit hardened and retain their shape.

chocolate cupcakes being decorated with christmas toppings

Then you’ll scoop your chocolate buttercream frosting into a piping bag and frost each cupcake. Have fun with piping tips and find the design you like best. There’s no wrong way to frost a cupcake.

chocolate cupcake decorated with a holly leaf

Then, gently place two holly leaves on each cupcake.

And add a few dots of red frosting for the holly berries.

finished holly cupcakes being served for christmas

And you’re all done! Aren’t these Holly Cupcakes just the cutest Christmas cupcakes you’ve seen? Enjoy!