Description
Delight in these whimsical Snowman Cupcakes, perfect for festive gatherings. Each cupcake is topped with a creamy vanilla frosting, a cute marshmallow snowman face, and decorated with fun candies and pretzel arms. They’re as tasty as they are charming, making holiday baking fun and easy.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Base
- 1 box white cake mix (plus oil and eggs as indicated on package)
Vanilla Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
Decorations
- 1 cup white sugar sprinkles
- 18 large marshmallows
- 36 cinnamon imperials
- 18 Christmas light bulb sprinkles
- 18 rolo candies
- 3 twizzler pull n’ peels
- black writing icing
- 18 mini pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Preheat and Bake Cupcakes: Preheat your oven to the temperature indicated on the cake mix box (usually 350°F). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Prepare the cake batter according to package instructions and fill each liner about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare Vanilla Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter, cream cheese, and vanilla extract. Use an electric hand mixer on medium speed to beat the mixture until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar, about 2 cups at a time, and beat on low speed until creamy and smooth.
- Prepare Piping Bag: Choose your desired piping tip and attach it securely to your piping bag. Fill the bag with the vanilla frosting ensuring no air bubbles for smooth piping.
- Decorate Marshmallow Faces: Using a knife, carefully make a small slit at the center of each marshmallow to hold the nose. Dab a bit of frosting on each Christmas light bulb sprinkle and insert it into the marshmallow slit to form the nose. With black writing icing, draw eyes and a mouth on each marshmallow to create adorable snowman faces.
- Frost Cupcakes: Pipe frosting onto each cupcake in a circular motion to create a smooth, snow-like surface. While the frosting is still fresh, sprinkle the cupcakes liberally with white sugar sprinkles to mimic snow. Gently press the decorated marshmallow snowman faces onto the frosted cupcakes to secure them.
- Add Scarves: Separate the Twizzler pull n’ peels into sections about 5 inches long, leaving 2 or 3 strands together for a scarf effect. Wrap these colorful Twizzler pieces snugly around the neck of each marshmallow snowman to create vibrant scarves.
- Finish Decorations: Use two cinnamon imperials as buttons on the cupcake body. Insert two mini pretzel sticks into each cupcake on either side as arms. Dab a small amount of frosting on top of each marshmallow and press a Rolo candy on top to serve as a cute snowman hat.
- Serving and Storage: Serve these Snowman Cupcakes within a few hours for best freshness, though they can be kept covered at room temperature and enjoyed within 2 days.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of decorations.
- Use fresh black writing icing for detailed facial expressions on marshmallows.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the cake mix for a certified gluten-free white cake mix.
- Decorate just before serving to keep the pretzels crisp and candies fresh.
- These cupcakes make great holiday party treats and can be adapted with different candy decorations for other occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: snowman cupcakes, holiday cupcakes, Christmas desserts, festive cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, marshmallow decoration
