Quick Christmas Tree Cupcakes

I love making these Quick Christmas Tree Cupcakes each Holiday Season.  They have become my 'go-to' gift when I need something quickly without a lot of fuss.  Your children can help icing the cupcake, applying the ornaments and even adding the snow to each cupcake.  These make a beautiful gift, especially when they are placed on a red platter.

Quick Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Ingredient:

• Baked & Cooled Cupcakes  in cupcake liners
• White & Green Buttercream Icing
• Sanding Sugar*
• Sprinkles*, Red Jimmies* or Red Hots
• Piping Bag or Zip-Loc Bag
• Wilton Piping Tip #1M

Instructions:

1. With the back of a spoon or spatula, ice each cupcake using the white icing, pulling up to create peaks on the cupcakes like snow.
2. Using a piping bag, insert the tip and load the bag with the green icing.  
3. Holding the tip in the center of the cupcake approximately 1/2 inch above the white icing, pipe in place until 1 1/2" to 2" wide.  Move slowly upwards to create the Christmas Tree.  When you are at the top of the tree, stop applying pressure to the bag and lift the tip off the cupcake.  Try not to make the tree too high or it will tip over.
4.  Place the sprinkles onto the tree for the ornaments.  
5. Sprinkle the tree with the Sanding Sugar to create snow and serve on a tray.  

Your guests will think you worked hard at making these cupcakes. 
*Note:  Sanding Sugar, Sprinkles and Jimmies are available at your local craft stores, some grocery stores or from Wilton.com.
Happy Holidays!