Description

Celebrate the holidays with these festive Santa Hat Cupcakes, featuring rich chocolate cake topped with fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting and crowned with a strawberry to resemble Santa’s iconic hat. Moist, flavorful, and visually charming, these cupcakes are perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake 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

1 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2–4 tablespoons milk, as needed

Decoration

Fresh strawberries, stems removed

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Batter: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, canola oil, milk, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer to beat the mixture for about 2 minutes until smooth and well incorporated.
Bake Cupcakes: Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Fill each liner about three-quarters full with the prepared batter. Bake for approximately 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
Prepare Frosting: While the cupcakes bake and cool, prepare the vanilla buttercream frosting. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the slightly softened butter and vanilla extract together on medium speed for about 5 minutes until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition. If the frosting is too thick, add milk a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Pipe Frosting onto Cupcakes: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a metal tip. Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, pipe the frosting generously onto each cupcake in a swirling motion.
Decorate with Strawberries: Place a fresh strawberry, with the stem end removed, upside down onto the center of the piped frosting. Add a small dot of frosting to the pointed tip of the strawberry to mimic the pom-pom of Santa’s hat, completing the festive look.

Notes

Ensure butter is softened but not melted for best frosting texture.
Use fresh, firm strawberries to keep the decoration intact.
Adjust baking time slightly if using jumbo or mini cupcake liners.
For a richer flavor, substitute milk with buttermilk in the cake batter.
Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Santa hat cupcakes, holiday cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, vanilla buttercream frosting, festive desserts, Christmas desserts