 "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas..." this classic holiday tune is playing in my head as I type this post. Snow has been falling from the sky in Michigan the past two days. We just got the school cancellation phone call, and the kids are jumping for joy! Since the white fluffy stuff isn't letting up, we decided today would be the perfect day to watch Christmas movies and make these Christmas tree cupcakes. The cake is as white as the snow on the ground and the frosting is as bright as the branches on our tree! These peppermint Christmas tree cupcakes pay the perfect tribute to our weather and our holiday decor! Here's how we made these festive cupcakes: Ingredients Cupcakes: One box white cake mix or our recipe for white cake: Buttercream icing: 2 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup shortening; 1 stick salted butter; 4 tablespoons milk; 1 tsp. vanilla extract; 1 tsp. peppermint extract; green food coloring; Garnish: Wilton Rainbow Chip Crunch Sprinkles; 12 Mega Stuffed Oreos for "stars" (do not use regular Oreos; filing is not thick enough) may substitute Oreo filling for premade fondant, if desired. Directions Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350. Line cupcake pan with red or Christmas themed liners. Prepare batter according to package directions or prepare our recipe (see link above). Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full of batter. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden on edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely. Icing: (note: this recipe may need to be doubled for due to the height of the "trees.") Cut the butter into cubes. Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter until fluffy. Add the shortening, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and milk. Gradually add the powdered sugar. Add 5-7 drops of food coloring, until desired color is achieved. Beat on medium speed for 5 minutes. When cupcakes are cooled, use a Wilton 1M tip to swirl icing onto the center of cupcakes. Make two "swirls" to give the cupcake height. Garnish: with sprinkles. Take the tops off the Oreo cookies. Use a 2 inch star cookie cutter to cut a star shape into the cream filling of the cookie. Place each star on top of the cupcakes. Makes 18-24 cupcakes. Icing will likely need to be doubled for this recipe, due to height of cupcakes.    |
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