Christmas Ornament Cupcakes

Christmas ornament cupcakes are fun, festive, and so easy to make! These adorable, semi-homemade treats use store-bought cupcakes and frosting, Rolo candies, and M&Ms to create rich, delicious cupcakes that look just like holly jolly holiday ornaments!

Holiday treats are the best treats, if you ask me. Why? Well, because you can put adorable, decorative spins on them, of course! Cake pops turn into Turkey cake pops. Muddy buddies suddenly become reindeer chow. Everything gets a super-cute makeover, and that’s exactly what happens with these delicious holiday cupcakes. I love to serve these to family and friends when they visit during the holiday season, and I always bring a plate of them to Christmas parties. They’re so ridiculously easy, there’s no reason not to make them whenever I need a sweet treat for the holidays. 

Christmas Ornament Cupcakes

These decorative and delicious cupcakes start with store-bought cupcakes. You can also use boxed cake mix or a from-scratch cupcake recipe if you prefer. I usually opt for the easiest route! I top the cupcakes with vanilla frosting from the store, then coat the frosting in sprinkling sugar. Finally, I decorate the tops by pressing M&Ms into the frosting to give them an ornament look and add a Rolo to the side to make the ornament “top”. That’s all there is to it! It’s quick, easy, and absolutely adorable! 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s one of the easiest holiday treats you’ll ever make. 
• It’s all pre-made unless you decide otherwise. 
• The cupcakes look just like fun, festive ornaments. 
• Everyone loves cupcakes! 

Ingredients

This recipe only takes a handful of ingredients that you can find in one quick trip to the grocery store. You’ll be in and out of there in a flash. 

• 12 vanilla or chocolate cupcakes, I bought mine at my local grocery store bakery. You can use a cake mix or from scratch too. 
• 1 to 2 cups store-bought vanilla frosting, I like the fluffy kind.
• Clear sprinkling sugar
• 12 wrapped Rolo candies
• Red and green M&Ms (regular or mini)

How to Make Christmas Ornament Cupcakes

Making these Christmas ornament cupcakes is as easy as shopping for them. Everything is already made, you’re just putting it all together. You’ll be in and out of the kitchen in a flash, and you’ll have some tasty cupcakes to share with family and friends. These are so easy, in fact, you can make one batch or several depending on the crowd, and you’ll still be in the kitchen for next to no time! 

1. Frost each cupcake with vanilla frosting. 
2. Invert the cupcake and dip the frosting gently into a shallow bowl with sprinkling sugar to coat the frosting. 
3. Gently press the M&Ms into the frosting to create an ornament pattern. 
4. Add a small amount of frosting to the bottom of the Rolo candies and press them into the edge of each cupcake to create the ornament “top”. 

 

 

 

Substitutions and Variations

• You can use homemade cupcakes and frosting if you’re feeling fancy! 
• Holiday ornaments come in so many colors, you can use regular M&Ms and get super creative with all of their colors. 
• Choose your favorite cupcake flavors and frosting for these cupcakes. Again, ornaments come in all colors!

Equipment

• Frosting spatula or knife

Storage

Room Temperature: Store for up to 3 days in an air-tight container. 

Freezer: Wrap individually and store in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. 

What to Serve with Christmas Ornament Cupcakes

These cupcakes are perfect with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. They make a great addition to a larger holiday dessert spread with all your favorite cookies, cakes, pies, and other sweets, as well. 

Tips

• Be gentle when dipping your frosted cupcake tops into the sprinkling sugar. You just want to lightly dip it. 
• Press the M&Ms gently but firmly into the frosting so they stay but you don’t mangle the frosted tops. 
• Hold the Rolo in place for a few seconds to ensure it is firmly secured to the cupcake. 

 

 

More Christmas Recipes

If you love Christmas treats as much as I do, I know you’re going to want to make these delicious Christmas recipes, as well! 

• White Chocolate Oatmeal Christmas Cookies
• Vanilla Christmas Tree Cupcakes
• Chocolate Dipped Christmas Oreos

 

Print and copy recipe below..

 

FAQ

Do you have to refrigerate storebought cupcakes? 

Unless your cupcakes are filled with a filling that uses eggs or dairy, you actually should not refrigerate any cupcake of any kind. The cold air in the refrigerator will dry them out. 

Can I use any kind of M&Ms for this recipe?

Yes, you can. Modern ornaments come in all colors, so you can use classic red and green M&Ms, or you can use a regular bag and get creative with your colors. 

How do you frost a cupcake with a spatula? 

Load up you spatula with what looks like enough frosting to cover the cupcake. Then, use a smooth, even stroke to top the cupcake in circular motion, turning the cupcake as you frost. 

 

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