Dessert

Santa Hat Cupcakes Recipe

ByIsabella Vance December 26, 2025December 26, 2025

Introduction

These Santa Hat Cupcakes are a festive and fun treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Moist chocolate cupcakes topped with creamy vanilla buttercream and a strawberry hat make them as delightful to look at as they are to eat.

A close-up of a chocolate cupcake held by a woman's hand with short nails, showing three main layers: at the bottom is a rich dark brown chocolate cupcake with a slightly rough texture; next, a thick white cream swirl spirals neatly on top of the cupcake; finally, a bright red whole strawberry stands upright on the cream, topped with a small white cream dollop. In the blurred background, several more cupcakes with similar cream and small red fruit toppings are placed on a white plate set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 box chocolate cake mix
4 eggs
3/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup milk
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (see instructions)
Fresh strawberries, hulled

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, canola oil, milk, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Beat with a hand mixer for about 2 minutes until smooth.
Step 2: Place cupcake liners in a muffin tin and fill each liner about three-quarters full with the batter. Bake for approximately 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
Step 3: While cupcakes bake, prepare the frosting. In a stand mixer, beat slightly softened butter with vanilla extract for 5 minutes until fluffy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar. Add milk as needed to reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Step 4: Spoon the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a metal tip. Pipe a generous swirl of frosting onto each cooled cupcake.
Step 5: Place a fresh strawberry, stem side down, on top of each frosted cupcake. Add a small dot of frosting to the tip of each strawberry to complete the Santa hat look.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh, firm strawberries for the best shape and color on your Santa hats.
For extra festivity, dust the cupcakes lightly with powdered sugar to resemble snow.
You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt if desired.
Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or instant espresso powder to the cake mix for a flavor twist.

Storage

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. The frosting and strawberries are best enjoyed fresh, so try to garnish just before serving.

How to Serve

The image shows several chocolate cupcakes arranged on a clear glass cake stand. Each cupcake has three layers: a dark brown, moist chocolate cupcake base with a ridged paper liner, a thick swirl of white cream frosting on top, and a large bright red strawberry sitting like a hat on the frosting, with a small dollop of cream on the tip of the strawberry. The background features a simple white marbled texture with a hint of green pine sprigs for decoration. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade chocolate cake instead of a box mix?

Yes, feel free to use your favorite homemade chocolate cake recipe. Just ensure the batter consistency is similar so the cupcakes bake evenly.

What can I use if I don’t have a piping bag?

If you don’t have a piping bag, you can spread the frosting with a butter knife or the back of a spoon. For a homemade piping bag, you can use a plastic sandwich bag with a small corner snipped off.