The Cupcake Christmas Wreath is a festive showstopper that combines soft, fluffy cupcakes with rich, creamy frosting. Each bite offers a delightful mix of moist vanilla cake and velvety buttercream, adorned with vibrant red and green sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this wreath-shaped treat is as beautiful as it is delicious, ready in just 35 minutes.
Its playful design invites everyone to pluck a cupcake, making it a fun and interactive dessert centerpiece. The light, airy texture of the cupcakes pairs perfectly with the smooth, sweet frosting, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. Whether you’re hosting or gifting, this recipe brings joy and holiday cheer to every bite.
What You’ll Need
- 17-20 cupcakes (homemade or store-bought, depending on your preference)
- Buttercream frosting (enough to generously cover all cupcakes)
- Green food coloring (gel-based works best for vibrant color)
- Red food coloring (gel-based for consistency)
- Silver sprinkles (or decorative pearls for added sparkle)
- Piping nozzles:
- Round piping nozzle (small, for berries)
- Star piping nozzle (for frosting base)
- 104 piping nozzle (for ribbon details)
- 352 piping nozzle (for leaves)
- Piping bags (one for each color of frosting)
- Red ribbon (for the final decorative touch)
How to Make Your Cupcake Christmas Wreath
- Arrange the cupcakes: Place the cupcakes on your serving board in two circles. Start with an outer circle of roughly 11 cupcakes, then add an inner circle of about 6 cupcakes. Adjust the number based on the size of your cupcakes. Note: Once decorated, the arrangement cannot be moved.
- Prepare the frosting: Mix green food coloring into a large portion of buttercream frosting until you achieve a vibrant green. In a separate small bowl, mix red food coloring into a smaller portion of buttercream for the berries and ribbons.
- Frost the cupcakes: Using the star piping nozzle, pipe a layer of buttercream frosting onto all the cupcakes to create a smooth base.
- Add the leaves: With the 352 piping nozzle, pipe green leaves around the edges of each cupcake to mimic a wreath design.
- Pipe the berries: Using the small round piping nozzle, add red berries (small dots) around the wreath on each cupcake.
- Create the ribbons: With the 104 piping nozzle, pipe red ribbon details onto some of the cupcakes for a festive touch.
- Decorate with sprinkles: Sprinkle silver sprinkles or decorative pearls over the cupcakes for added sparkle.
- Add the finishing touch: Place a red ribbon at the front center of the cupcake wreath for a final decorative element.
- Serve or store: This wreath can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it covered until ready to serve.
Perfect Your Piping: Equipment Tips
Using the right piping nozzles is key to creating a stunning wreath. For the green leaves, the 352 nozzle gives a realistic, textured look. For the red berries, a small round nozzle works best for clean, circular shapes. The 104 nozzle is ideal for ribbons, creating elegant, flowing designs. Make sure your buttercream is at the right consistency—*not too stiff or too runny*—for smooth piping.
Make-Ahead Magic: Storage Tips
This wreath can be prepared 24 hours in advance, making it perfect for holiday gatherings. Once decorated, cover it lightly with plastic wrap or place it in a cake carrier to keep it fresh. Store it in a cool, dry place—*avoid refrigeration* as it can cause the buttercream to harden. Add the red ribbon just before serving for a fresh, festive touch.
Festive Flair: Serving Suggestions
Place your cupcake wreath on a large, round serving board or platter to showcase its design. Add a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or holly around the edges for extra holiday charm. Pair it with a warm drink like hot cocoa or mulled wine for a cozy, festive treat. This wreath is sure to be the *centerpiece* of your holiday dessert table!
Customize Your Creation: Recipe Variations
Switch up the flavors to suit your taste! Use chocolate cupcakes for a richer base or vanilla bean buttercream for a classic touch. Add a hint of peppermint extract to the red buttercream for a festive twist. For a nutty flavor, sprinkle crushed pistachios or almonds on top. The possibilities are endless—let your creativity shine!
Cupcake Christmas Wreath
Equipment
- Round piping nozzle, small
- Star piping nozzle
- 104 piping nozzle (ribbon)
- 352 piping nozzle (leaf)
- Piping bags
Ingredients
Buttercream Frosting
- Green food coloring
- Red food coloring
- Silver sprinkles
- Red ribbon
Instructions
- Place the cupcakes down on your serving board. Note that you can’t move it once it is decorated.
- Make a circle with roughly 11 cupcakes. Place roughly 6 cupcakes in the middle so you have 2 cycles of cupcakes. You maybe need more or less depending on the size of your cupcakes.
- Mix green dye into a large amount of buttercream. Mix up a small bowl of red buttercream also.
- Using the star nozzle pipe buttercream onto all of the cupcakes.
- Pipe green leaves using the 352 piping nozzle around the wreath on each cupcake. Followed by red berries using the round nozzle.
- Using the 104 piping nozzle pipe red ribbons on some cupcakes.
- Place little decorative pearls around the tops of the cupcakes anywhere you like.
- Place a red ribbon front row center on the cupcake wreath. This wreath can be made 24 hours in advance. Keep covered until ready to serve.
