If you’re looking for a fun, festive treat that’s quick to make but sure to impress, this Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe is an absolute winner. I absolutely love how these cupcakes capture the whimsy of holiday lights with a simple twist, and I know you’re going to have just as much fun making them as I do sharing them at parties or family gatherings. Ready to light up your holiday baking? Let’s dive in!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: You don’t have to be a pro baker to pull these off, making them perfect for last-minute holiday fun.
- Festive & Fun Presentation: The colorful M&M “lights” bring a cheerful pop that everyone loves.
- Kid-Friendly: My kids adore helping decorate these — it’s a fantastic way to get them in the holiday spirit!
- Versatile: Use any cupcake flavor or customize the frosting colors for your holiday vibe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe uses straightforward ingredients that come together beautifully. What I really like is that most of these are pantry staples or easy to grab at the store, so you won’t need a special trip.
- Premade cupcakes: These save so much time—go for your favorite store-bought or even bake ahead if you prefer homemade.
- White frosting: A smooth, creamy base that makes the colors pop; cream cheese or buttercream both work great.
- Small tube of black icing: This tiny detail makes all the difference, giving the illusion of light string wires.
- M&M’s: The star of the show for those bright “bulbs”—mix colors for variety or stick to red and green for classic Christmas charm.
Variations
I love when recipes invite a personal twist, and this Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe definitely allows some playful variations. You can easily switch things up depending on your taste or dietary needs — I encourage you to make it your own!
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free premade cupcakes or bake your own gluten-free cupcakes as the base; they frost just the same.
- Flavor Swaps: Vanilla cupcakes are classic but spiced or chocolate cupcakes also taste fantastic with the festive frosting.
- Frosting Colors: Try light green or red frosting instead of white for a different holiday vibe.
- Holiday Candy Variations: Swap out the M&M’s for mini gumdrops, chocolates, or even small colored sprinkles for unique “lights.”
How to Make Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe
Step 1: Frost with a Swirl
First things first, grab your premade cupcakes and prepare your frosting by filling a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. I like this technique because it gives a beautiful, even swirl that’s super easy to work with when decorating. Starting from the outer edge of each cupcake, pipe a generous swirl of white frosting towards the center — think of it like creating a small snow-topped mountain.
Step 2: Draw the String
Next, use that black icing tube to carefully draw a thin line starting at the top of the frosting swirl and trailing down to the bottom edge. This acts like the string of the Christmas lights. I’ve found it easiest to squeeze gently with a steady hand here — if you’re nervous, practice a few lines on parchment paper first to get comfortable.
Step 3: Add the ‘Lights’ with M&M’s
Now, the fun part! Press colorful M&M’s gently into the black-lined frosting area on each cupcake to mimic those twinkling Christmas bulbs. I like mixing vibrant colors because it makes each cupcake feel like a tiny string of holiday lights. Repeat these steps with all your cupcakes and step back to admire your masterpiece!
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe
- Piping Bag Prep: To avoid frosting dripping, chill your frosting for 10 minutes before filling the bag—it holds shape better!
- Black Icing Control: Warm the black icing tube slightly by holding it in warm water, this lets it flow smoother for cleaner lines.
- M&M Placement: Press candies lightly to avoid breaking the frosting swirl but firmly enough so they won’t fall off during transport.
- Speed Tip: Decorate cupcakes in batches — pipe all frosting swirls first, then add strings, then candies to streamline the process.
How to Serve Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple here with just the M&M lights, but if you’re feeling festive you can add a tiny sprinkle of edible glitter or silver sugar pearls for some sparkle. I find less is more so the “light string” effect isn’t lost, but every once in a while, I like to add a mini peppermint stick on the side for a festive touch.
Side Dishes
This recipe is sweet enough to stand on its own but pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or mulled cider—makes for a cozy holiday afternoon snack. For parties, I like serving them alongside a cheese platter or fruit skewers to balance out the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
One of my favorite presentations is arranging the cupcakes on a tiered cake stand strung with real mini fairy lights underneath — it really amps up the Christmas light vibe! Wrapping each cupcake in holiday-themed cupcake liners adds extra cheer. I’ve even used them as party favors by packaging them in clear boxes tied with colorful ribbons.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftover Christmas Lights Cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. The frosting stays soft and the M&M’s hold their crunch nicely. If your kitchen is warm, storing them in the fridge works but bring to room temp before serving so the frosting tastes fresh and not chilled.
Freezing
Freezing cupcakes can be tricky because of the delicate decoration, but I’ve had success freezing the cupcakes un-frosted, then decorating after thawing. If you need to freeze after frosting, place in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge before adding the M&M’s.
Reheating
Since these cupcakes are best enjoyed cold or at room temp, I don’t recommend reheating. If you want to warm them slightly, I gently microwave for 5-7 seconds, but be careful not to melt the frosting or lose that perfect swirl!
FAQs
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Can I use homemade cupcakes for this Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade cupcakes add a personal touch and can be customized in flavor to your liking. Just make sure they’re completely cooled before frosting and decorating—warm cupcakes can cause frosting to melt or slide.
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What if I don’t have black icing—any substitutes?
If you don’t have black icing, you could use a thin strip of melted dark chocolate or even pipe with a thin brush dipped in black food coloring gel mixed with a little corn syrup. It takes a bit more patience but the effect is very similar.
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Can I use other candies besides M&M’s?
Definitely! Small colorful candies like mini gumdrops, Skittles, or even colored sprinkles work well. The key is picking bright colors that mimic the look of holiday lights.
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How long can I store these cupcakes decorated?
Decorated cupcakes are best eaten within 2-3 days when kept in an airtight container at room temperature. Beyond that, the frosting texture might change and the candies can lose their shine.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe is one I always come back to when I want to impress with minimal fuss. It’s perfect for holiday parties, school events, or just treating your family to something cheerful and sweet. I love how the simple details like the black icing string and colorful M&M’s make such a big festive impact. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy the smiles it brings and might even start a new holiday baking tradition!
Print
Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the festive season with these charming Christmas Lights Cupcakes. Featuring a fluffy premade cupcake base topped with smooth white frosting swirled elegantly, a delicate black icing outline mimics a string of holiday lights, and colorful M&M’s are pressed on to resemble glowing bulbs, making them a fun and easy-to-make holiday treat.
Ingredients
Base
- Premade cupcakes (quantity as desired)
Frosting
- White frosting (enough to pipe swirls on cupcakes)
- Small tube of black icing (for outlining)
Decoration
- M&M’s (assorted colors, quantity as needed per cupcake)
Instructions
- Prepare the frosting: Fill a piping bag fitted with a large round tip with white frosting, ensuring it is smooth and ready to pipe.
- Pipe frosting swirls: Pipe white frosting into a neat swirl on top of each premade cupcake, starting from the outside edge and spiraling up to form a peak.
- Outline frosting with black icing: Using a small tube of black icing, carefully draw a thin line around the perimeter of the swirled frosting, moving from the tip down to the base to create the effect of a light string.
- Attach M&M’s: Press colorful M&M’s gently into the black icing line on top of each cupcake, evenly spacing them to resemble Christmas lights.
- Repeat for remaining cupcakes: Continue the process of frosting, outlining, and decorating until all cupcakes are adorned as festive Christmas lights.
Notes
- Use premade cupcakes to save time; vanilla or chocolate flavors work well.
- For a smoother piping experience, warm the frosting slightly if it’s too stiff.
- Use black icing with a fine tip for precise lines to mimic light strings.
- You can substitute M&M’s with similarly sized colorful candies, but M&M’s provide a festive look with their bright colors and shine.
- Store cupcakes in a cool place to keep frosting firm; refrigerate if necessary but bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
