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CUTE SANTA CUPCAKES EASY ENOUGH FOR KIDS TO MAKE!
My children love to bake and help me in the kitchen. This Christmas, I am making more of an effort to let them actually help me. Baking brings us together and creates a great time to slow down, chat, and spend time as a family.
For one of our Christmas advent activities, we made and decorated Santa Cupcakes together! After we enjoyed them, we delivered a few plates of them to neighbors as part of our Light The World service activities.
This activity was really simple, especially since I used a Duncan Hines® Classic White Cake Mix. Not only is it affordable and convenient, but delicious too!
Just look how cute these Santa desserts are!
Get more holiday recipe inspiration right here!
Keep reading for the recipe and tips to make this activity fun for everyone!
WHAT YOU NEED FOR SANTA CUPCAKES:
- 1 Duncan Hines® Classic White Cake Mix
- vanilla frosting
- mini marshmallows
- red sprinkles
- chocolate chips
- small red candies
- cupcake papers
Grab all of these ingredients at your local Walmart! The cake mix is only $1! You’ll find it in the baking aisle in the newly designed red box.
Check out this Ibotta offer while supplies last!
STEP 1
To make the cupcakes, simply add water, oil, and egg whites to a Duncan Hines white cake mix. Bake the cupcakes according to the directions, which was about 18 minutes. You’ll know they are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Remove the cupcakes from the oven and place in the freezer for 15 minutes. This will seal in the moisture and make it easier to decorate!
STEP 2
Using your favorite frosting, spread frosting over the entire cupcake.
I used Duncan Hine’s Classic Vanilla frosting to keep things very simple, but if you want a homemade version, this homemade frosting is amazing!
STEP 3
Take 4-5 mini marshmallows and make a line across the cupcake about 2/3 of the way up like this:
STEP 4
Generously sprinkle red sugar crystals on the upper 1/3 of the cupcake to make Santa’s hat like this. Shake off any excess sprinkles.
STEP 5
Use chocolate chips to add eyes, red candy for the nose and an extra mini marshmallow for the hat!
STEP 6
Now repeat to turn all of the cupcakes into the cutest little Santa cupcakes you ever did see.
See how simple these are??
TIPS FOR DECORATING WITH KIDS:
Even though there are sprinkles involved, don’t be afraid to make these cute Christmas treats with kids. To minimize the mess, here’s what to do:
- Put each cupcake on a plate before decorating.
- When kids get to the sprinkle step, move the plate with cupcake on it into a baking sheet. When they sprinkle, all the extra sprinkles will go on the tray instead of the floor! You can also shake off any extra sprinkles right into the cookie sheet.
- Don’t expect perfection. Let kids make their Santa however they want!
HOW TO STORE THE EXTRA CUPCAKES
If you have any leftover cupcakes, simply freeze them or store in a air-tight container in the fridge for a few days.
I hope you enjoy this activity as much as we did! And here!
Easy Santa Cupcakes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cupcakes 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Easy Santa cupcakes that are easy to decorate! Perfect for Christmas parties, classroom parties or a simple holiday dessert.
Ingredients
CUPCAKES:
- 1 box White Duncan Hines Cake Mix
- 3 egg whites
- 1/3 cup oil
- 1 cup water
FOR DECORATING:
- vanilla frosting
- red colored candies
- chocolate chips
- mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Make the cupcakes according the recipe on the box.
To decorate:
- Spread vanilla frosting over the entire cupcake.
- Using 4-5 mini marshmallows, make a line 2/3 of the way up. Then complete the circle all around the edge to make the beard.
- Sprinkle red sugar crystals on the top 1/3 of the cupcake.
- Add chocolate chips and red candy for the eyes and nose. Add one extra marshmallow for the hat on the red sprinkles.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Make ahead of time by freezing the cupcakes undecorated.
- Category: Desserts
Keywords: Santa cupcakes, Christmas desserts, cupcakes