Name: Tree Cupcake Cones
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box cake mix (or homemade cupcake batter); Water, oil, and eggs as required for cake mix; 20–24 flat-bottomed ice cream cones; Green food coloring; 1 cup butter or frosting of choice (for decorating); Sprinkles, mini candies, or edible glitter; Optional: star-shaped candies or yellow M&Ms for toppers

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Tree Cupcake Cones are festive cupcakes baked right inside ice cream cones and decorated to look like colorful Christmas trees. They’re fun, creative, and perfect for holiday parties or baking with kids.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how adorable and fun these cupcakes are to make and serve. There’s no need for cupcake liners or trays—just cones that act as both the holder and edible treat. Decorating them like little trees with green frosting and sprinkles lets me get creative and adds a magical touch to any holiday table. They’re just as tasty as they are cute.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

cake mix (or homemade cupcake batter)
water, oil, and eggs (if using a boxed mix)
flat-bottomed ice cream cones
green food coloring
butter or frosting of choice (for decorating)
sprinkles, mini candies, or edible glitter (for tree decorations)
optional: star-shaped candies or yellow M&Ms for toppers

Directions

I preheat the oven according to the cake mix or cupcake recipe instructions.
I prepare the cupcake batter as directed and add a few drops of green food coloring.
I place the cones upright in a muffin tin to keep them stable.
I fill each cone about two-thirds full with batter.
I bake them for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
I let them cool completely before decorating.
I pipe green frosting on top in a swirl to mimic a tree shape.
I decorate with sprinkles and candy, then finish with a “star” on top.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 20–24 cupcake cones. It takes 10–15 minutes to prepare, 20 minutes to bake, and extra time to cool and decorate.

Variations

I sometimes use chocolate cake batter for a darker contrast with the green frosting.
For peppermint flavor, I mix crushed candy canes into the batter or frosting.
I’ve also dipped the edges of the cones in melted chocolate before baking for a fancy finish.
If I want a snowy effect, I dust them with powdered sugar or coconut flakes.
I sometimes color the frosting in different greens for variety.

storage/reheating

I store decorated cones uncovered at room temperature for up to 1 day or loosely covered for up to 2 days. I avoid refrigerating them, as the cones can soften. If needed, I re-crisp the cones briefly in a warm oven before serving.

FAQs

How do I keep the cones from tipping over in the oven?

I place them in a muffin tin or a baking dish filled with foil or rice to keep them upright and steady.

Can I use homemade cupcake batter?

Yes, I use any cupcake or cake recipe I like. Just be sure to fill the cones only about 2/3 to avoid overflow.

Can I decorate with whipped cream instead of frosting?

You can, but I prefer frosting because it holds its shape better and is more stable for decorating.

Do the cones stay crispy?

They stay fairly crisp for the first day. After that, they may soften slightly but are still tasty.

Are Tree Cupcake Cones good for parties?

Absolutely. They’re easy to serve, no wrappers needed, and kids love the festive look.

Conclusion

Tree Cupcake Cones are a playful and delightful treat I look forward to making every holiday season. They bring cheer to the table, are easy to customize, and let me have fun with decorating. Whether for a party or a baking day with family, they’re a joyful addition to any celebration.