If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and absolutely adorable treat to light up your holiday dessert table, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe is an easy, show-stopping way to bring that cozy Christmas glow right into your kitchen. Trust me, once you try these, your friends and family will be asking for them every year!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple & Quick: You don’t need to be a pro baker to nail these festive cupcakes, and they come together in minutes.
- So Cute & Festive: The colorful M&M ’lights’ make these cupcakes a total crowd-pleaser and conversation starter.
- Versatile for Any Party: Whether it’s a Christmas party, holiday bake sale, or just a cozy night, these cupcakes fit right in.
- Kid-Friendly & Fun to Make: Kids love helping decorate, making this recipe a perfect activity (and treat!) to share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I always keep a stash of premade cupcakes and frosting on hand around the holidays because they’re perfect for quick decorating fun. The key is choosing the right frosting consistency so it holds its shape nicely for that swirl.
- Premade cupcakes: Choose your favorite flavor, though vanilla or chocolate work best to keep the focus on the festive décor.
- White frosting: Use a creamy, spreadable frosting that’s not too runny to pipe perfect swirls.
- Small tube of black icing: This is your “string” for the Christmas lights — make sure it has a thin tip for drawing delicate lines.
- M&M’s: Pick classic colors, and try sorting through for the reds, greens, yellows, and blues to mimic holiday lights.
Variations
I love playing around with this Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe—feel free to make it your own! Sometimes I swap out M&Ms for mini gumdrops or use colored frosting for an extra pop of holiday cheer.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free premade cupcakes to make this treat inclusive; the decorating steps stay exactly the same.
- Alternative Candy Lights: Swap M&Ms with mini chocolate chips or colored candy pearls — I’ve tried both and they add cute, fun textures.
- Flavored Frosting: Adding a hint of peppermint extract to your white frosting is something I discovered that adds a magical holiday twist.
- Vegan Option: Substitute with vegan cupcakes and frosting for allergy-friendly festivities.
How to Make Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe
Step 1: Pipe Swirled White Frosting
Fit a piping bag with a large round tip and fill it with the white frosting. I like to start piping from the outer edge of the cupcake and swirl inward, building up a nice fluffy peak. If your frosting feels too stiff, give it a quick mix or soften it slightly — you want it firm enough to hold shape but soft enough to pipe smoothly.
Step 2: Draw the Black ‘Light String’
Take the small tube of black icing and gently draw a thin line from the top peak of your frosting swirl all the way down to the cupcake base. This line is your string of Christmas lights, so keep a steady hand! I like to work slowly, and if it wobbles a bit, it only adds charm. This part is easier if you squeeze a little icing out before you draw.
Step 3: Press M&M’s as the Lights
Carefully press colorful M&M’s into the frosting along the black icing string, spacing them just right to look like festive bulbs. I usually use 4-5 candy pieces per cupcake, but you can add more if you like a brighter tune. Press gently so the candies stick but don’t squash the frosting.
Step 4: Repeat and Admire Your Work
Continue the process with the rest of your cupcakes. Once they’re all decked out, step back and relish how cute and festive these Christmas Lights Cupcakes look. I promise, your effort shines through, and everyone will be impressed by the joyful details!
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe
- Frosting Consistency Matters: I learned this the hard way—too runny frosting won’t hold that perfect swirl, so chill it slightly if it’s too soft.
- Use a Piping Bag for Control: Ditch the knife for frosting and pipe for a neater, more professional look, especially on those swirls.
- Slow and Steady with the Black Icing: Drawing your string slowly helps avoid breaks or blobs—practice on parchment paper if you like.
- Press Candies Gently: Too much pressure can flatten the frosting, so ease the M&M’s in carefully for a polished finish.
How to Serve Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding a little sparkle around the base of the cupcakes with edible glitter or tiny silver dragees. It gives these Christmas Lights Cupcakes an extra festive twinkle that really catches the eye under holiday lights!
Side Dishes
These cupcakes pair beautifully with a mug of hot cocoa or a cup of mulled cider. I often serve them alongside a platter of spiced nuts or soft gingerbread cookies for a complete holiday spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging these cupcakes on a cake stand decorated with a string of real Christmas lights around the base for a magical glow. I’ve also placed them on a mirrored platter with some pine sprigs and candy canes scattered for an elegant, festive touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once decorated, I keep leftover cupcakes covered in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your house is warm, pop them in the fridge—but bring them back to room temp before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing
I’ve frozen undecorated premade cupcakes before, then decorated them fresh after thawing. You can freeze fully decorated cupcakes, but the frosting and candies might get a little less perfect once thawed. If you do freeze decorated ones, wrap them individually in plastic wrap then foil for best protection.
Reheating
You generally don’t need to reheat cupcakes, but if you feel they’re a bit cold from refrigeration, let them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before digging in. This really brings back that fresh-baked softness.
FAQs
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Can I make the frosting from scratch for the Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe?
Absolutely! While I often use store-bought frosting for convenience, homemade buttercream or cream cheese frosting works wonderfully here. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold swirls nicely for the “lights” to stick.
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What if I don’t have black icing for the string?
No worries! You can use melted dark chocolate or even a black food coloring gel mixed with a little piping gel. Just use a small piping bag or a toothpick to create thin lines—practice helps to get steady lines.
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How far ahead can I decorate these cupcakes?
I recommend decorating these cupcakes the same day you plan to serve them. The frosting and candies look freshest this way, but if needed, you can decorate up to 24 hours ahead and keep them covered in a cool place.
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Can I use other candies besides M&M’s for the lights?
Definitely! Mini gumdrops, colored chocolate chips, or small jelly beans can all mimic Christmas lights beautifully. Pick candies that won’t melt or run for best results.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday traditions because it’s easy, fun, and brings everyone together to decorate — a perfect recipe to create memories around. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do, and that they bring as much joy to your celebrations as they have to mine. Go ahead and give it a try—you’re going to love how these cupcakes instantly bring that holiday sparkle to your table!
Print
Christmas Lights Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Christmas Lights Cupcakes are a delightful holiday treat featuring premade cupcakes topped with smooth white swirled frosting, delicate black icing wires, and colorful M&M’s designed to look like bright holiday lights. Perfect for holiday parties or a fun family activity, these cupcakes combine easy decorating steps with cheerful seasonal flair.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- Premade cupcakes (12 count)
Frosting
- White frosting (approximately 1 cup)
- Small tube of black icing (for outlining)
Decorations
- M&M’s candies (about 24 pieces, assorted colors)
Instructions
- Prepare Frosting: Fill a piping bag fitted with a large round tip with the white frosting. This will allow you to create smooth, swirled peaks on each cupcake for an attractive base.
- Pipe Frosting onto Cupcakes: Pipe the white frosting in a swirl motion on each cupcake, starting from the outer edge and working your way to the center, forming a tall, elegant swirl.
- Draw the Wiring: Using the tube of black icing, carefully draw a thin line from the top to the bottom around the swirled frosting. This line will simulate the wiring of Christmas lights.
- Attach M&M’s Lights: Press colorful M&M’s into the frosting along the black icing line, spacing them evenly to resemble bright holiday light bulbs. Repeat this for all the cupcakes to complete the theme.
Notes
- Use a gentle hand when piping the frosting to achieve a neat swirl.
- If you prefer, you can use different colored frostings to match your holiday decor.
- M&M’s can be substituted with other small round candies for variation.
- These cupcakes are best served the same day for optimal freshness.
- To prevent cracking, ensure the black icing tube is at room temperature before decorating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
