Christmas desserts are some of my favorite to make because they are so festive and fun. From gingerbread to cakes to cookies shaped like snowmen and Santa Clause, these merry sweets seem to be even more enjoyable than regular desserts. Instead of buying just cookie dough with Christmas tree imprints on them, for example, I like to make my own desserts and put a Christmas twist on them. Here I give you an easy recipe for cupcakes from a store-bought cake mix, but you make it your own with the decorations.

I like to incorporate the traditional holiday colors of red and green in my treats. For these cupcakes you may need two boxes of white cake mix if you need a lot of them. Otherwise, just use one. You will split the prepared mix in half and put red food coloring in one half and green food coloring in the other half. They can be made even more festive by using the holiday cupcake liners with little trees and other pictures on them. Another idea would be to use green liners for the red cupcakes and red liners for the green cupcakes to incorporate both colors in one cake. A homemade icing makes these cupcakes even more of your own recipe. Top them off with holiday sprinkles or other decorations, and these celebratory creations are sure to be a hit with your family.

Ingredients

Cake

1 box white cake mix

1 oz red food coloring

1 oz green food coloring

Cupcake liners (papers)

Sprinkles (optional)

Icing

8 oz cream cheese

1 ½ sticks butter

1 lb. powdered sugar

Prepare cake mix according to package directions. When fully mixed, pour half the mix in another bowl.

In one half of the cake batter, pour in the red food coloring, and in the other half pour in the green food coloring. Mix well so that all of the coloring gets incorporated.

Line individual muffin tins with the cupcake liners. Pour the batter into the liners about 2/3 of the way up. Bake according to package directions

Allow cream cheese and butter to reach room temperature before preparing the icing so they will be easier to handle.

Cream the cream cheese and butter together with a mixer. Once combined and softened, add the sugar and mix until it is creamy and thick. Set aside.

Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting them, or else the heat will warm up the icing and cause it to get runny.

When they are cool, frost them and top with the sprinkles if you choose to.