Santa Hat Cupcakes Recipe

Introduction

Celebrate the season with these festive Santa Hat Cupcakes, a fun and delicious treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Chocolate cupcakes topped with creamy red and white frosting make these cupcakes both eye-catching and irresistible.

Ingredients

• 1 box Devil’s food cake mix
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Red food coloring
• Red sanding sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Prepare the chocolate cupcakes according to the cake mix package directions. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Transfer about one third of the frosting to a separate smaller bowl. Add red food coloring to the larger bowl of frosting and mix until you reach the desired red shade.
4. Step 4: Using a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, pipe the red frosting onto each cupcake in a conical shape to resemble a Santa hat. Sprinkle red sanding sugar over the red frosting for extra sparkle.
5. Step 5: With a smaller star tip, pipe the white frosting from the smaller bowl around the base edge of each red frosting cone to create the white fur trim of the hat.

Tips & Variations

• For a more intense red color, add the food coloring gradually and mix well to avoid over-coloring the frosting.
• Use cream cheese frosting that is firm enough to hold shape but soft enough to pipe smoothly.
• Try adding a tiny pinch of salt to the frosting to balance the sweetness.
• For a fun twist, substitute Devil’s food cake mix with a red velvet cake mix for an extra festive look inside.

Storage

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture. If needed, gently reheat in the microwave for about 10 seconds, but avoid overheating the frosting.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the cupcakes and frosting ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container. The frosting can also be made ahead and refrigerated; just bring it to room temperature and re-whip before frosting.

What can I use if I don’t have red sanding sugar?

If you don’t have red sanding sugar, you can use colored sprinkles, edible glitter, or even finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries for decoration.

Santa Hat Cupcakes Recipe

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These festive Santa Hat Cupcakes combine rich devil’s food chocolate cupcakes with a creamy red and white cream cheese frosting shaped like Santa hats, perfect for holiday celebrations and bringing a fun, seasonal touch to any dessert table.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 24 cupcakes 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cupcakes

• 1 box Devil’s food cake mix
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Red food coloring, as needed
• Red sanding sugar, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare Cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Prepare the devil’s food chocolate cupcakes according to the package instructions, including the addition of softened butter if directed. Once baked, allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
2. Make Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes light, smooth, and fluffy, ensuring there are no lumps.
3. Color the Frosting: Transfer about one third of the prepared frosting to a smaller bowl to remain white. Add red food coloring to the remaining frosting in the large bowl and mix thoroughly until you achieve a vibrant red color.
4. Frost Cupcakes: Using a piping bag fitted with a large round or star tip, pipe the red frosting onto each cooled cupcake in a conical shape resembling a Santa hat. Lightly sprinkle the top with red sanding sugar for sparkle.
5. Add White Trim: With a separate piping bag fitted with a smaller star tip, pipe the white frosting around the base edge of each red cone to create the white trim of the Santa hat, completing the festive look.

Notes

• Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting the cream cheese frosting.
• Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant red without thinning the frosting.
• Red sanding sugar adds festive sparkle but can be omitted for a softer look.
• Store cupcakes in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting and bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
• Consider adding small white frosting pom-poms on the tip of each Santa hat for a classic touch.

Keywords: Santa Hat Cupcakes, Holiday Cupcakes, Christmas Dessert, Cream Cheese Frosting, Devil’s Food Cake, Festive Cupcakes