Chocolate Christmas Tree Mini Cupcakes with Pretzel Trunks Recipe

ByElara Stone
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Introduction

Celebrate the holidays with these charming Chocolate Christmas Tree Mini Cupcakes. Topped with festive green candy trees and crunchy pretzel trunks, they are a delightful treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

The image shows six chocolate cupcakes on a white fluted edge plate. Each cupcake has a dark brown base with light paper liners and is topped with white frosting that looks like snow. On top of the white frosting is a green tree-shaped swirl of icing, textured with ridges and dusted with white sugar for a snowy effect. A small brown clove is inserted on top of each icing tree like a tree topper. The plate sits on a wooden surface with a white marbled texture background, and a red and white checkered cloth is placed to the left. In the background, there is a colorful wooden toy partially visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix, prepared as mini cupcakes
  • 1 container white icing
  • 12 ounces green melting candy
  • 48 pretzel sticks
  • White sugar sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Let the cupcakes cool completely, then spread a thin layer of white icing over the tops of each cupcake.
  2. Step 2: Pour white sugar sprinkles into a small bowl and gently dip each frosted cupcake top into the sprinkles to coat evenly.
  3. Step 3: Melt the green candy according to the package directions and transfer the melted candy to a piping bag.
  4. Step 4: Arrange the pretzel sticks on a sheet of parchment paper, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
  5. Step 5: Snip the tip off the piping bag and drizzle the melted green candy over each pretzel in a triangle shape to create Christmas trees.
  6. Step 6: While the candy is still soft, sprinkle each candy tree with white sugar sprinkles. Allow the trees to cool and harden completely.
  7. Step 7: Once the candy trees are set, gently press one tree onto the top of each cupcake before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra holiday flair, add small edible pearls or colored sprinkles on the candy trees to mimic ornaments.
  • If you don’t have a piping bag, use a resealable plastic bag and cut a small hole in one corner to drizzle the melted candy.
  • Try using different colored melting candies to create a variety of festive trees.

Storage

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigerating, as this can cause the candy to soften and lose its shape. If needed, warm slightly before serving to restore softness to the cake.

How to Serve

The image shows a group of six chocolate cupcakes arranged in rows on a wooden board placed on a white marbled surface. Each cupcake has a dark brown base with a smooth white powdered sugar layer on top. On this, there is a tall, wavy, light green frosting layer that looks like twisted tree branches or spirals, sprinkled lightly with white sugar. Each frosting tower is topped with a small brown stick standing straight up. A white cloth with green dots and stripes lies in front of the board. The background is simple and plain white. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cupcakes instead of a box mix?

Absolutely! Homemade chocolate cupcakes work perfectly for this recipe and add a personal touch to your festive treats.

What if I don’t have pretzel sticks?

You can substitute pretzel rods or thin breadsticks to create the tree trunks, but pretzel sticks give the best crunchy texture and size.

Print
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Chocolate Christmas Tree Mini Cupcakes with Pretzel Trunks Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 104 reviews
  • Author: Elara
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 48 mini cupcakes 1x
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Description

Create festive and delightful Chocolate Christmas Tree Mini Cupcakes perfect for holiday celebrations. These mini chocolate cupcakes are topped with white icing, sugar sprinkles, and adorned with pretzel stick trunks drizzled with green melting candy shaped like Christmas trees. Easy to make and visually charming, they add a playful touch to your holiday dessert table.

Ingredients

Scale

Mini Cupcakes

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix, prepared as mini cupcakes
  • 1 container white icing
  • White sugar sprinkles

Chocolate Christmas Trees

  • 12 ounces green melting candy
  • 48 pretzel sticks

Instructions

  1. Cool Cupcakes: Let the mini chocolate cupcakes cool completely after baking to ensure the icing adheres properly and does not melt.
  2. Ice Cupcakes: Spread a thin, even layer of white icing over the top of each cooled cupcake using a spatula or butter knife.
  3. Sprinkle Coating: Pour white sugar sprinkles into a small bowl, then gently dip the frosted cupcake tops into the sprinkles to coat them thoroughly, creating a festive snowy effect.
  4. Melt Candy: Melt the green candy melts according to the package instructions, usually by heating in short intervals in a microwave or using a double boiler, and transfer the melted candy into a piping bag for easy decorating.
  5. Prepare Pretzels: Lay out the pretzel sticks on a sheet of parchment paper, spacing them about 1 inch apart to prevent sticking when decorating.
  6. Create Trees: Snip a small tip off the piping bag and drizzle the melted green candy over each pretzel stick in a triangle shape to resemble a Christmas tree.
  7. Decorate Trees: While the melted candy is still soft, sprinkle white sugar sprinkles over the green candy triangles to mimic snow on the Christmas trees.
  8. Set Trees: Allow the candy-covered pretzel trees to cool and harden completely at room temperature to ensure they maintain their shape.
  9. Assemble Cupcakes: Once the candy trees are set and firm, gently press one chocolate Christmas tree onto the top of each frosted and sprinkled cupcake immediately before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure cupcakes are fully cooled before icing to prevent melting and slipping.
  • Use parchment paper to avoid sticking when decorating pretzels.
  • Melt candy carefully and avoid overheating to prevent burning.
  • You can substitute white sugar sprinkles with edible glitter or colored sprinkles for variation.
  • Store assembled cupcakes in a cool, dry place to keep the candy decorations intact.
  • This recipe yields approximately 48 mini cupcakes and corresponding decorations.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas cupcakes, mini cupcakes, holiday desserts, chocolate cupcakes, festive treats, pretzel decorations, candy melts

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