Cupcakes for Santa

Prep Time: 50 Minutes
Total Time: 1 Hour 50 Minutes
Servings: 18

If you’re looking for a fun, easy recipe to keep the little ones occupied before the big day, then these cute Santa cupcakes are just the thing. Don’t forget to save one to leave by the chimney for Santa.


All You Need Is ...

  • Small check mark in a circle icon 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Vanilla Cake Mix
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 3 extra large eggs
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 80g butter, melted or 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 2/3 cup (150ml) milk or water
For the decoration
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 120g Betty Crocker™ Creamy Deluxe™ Vanilla Flavoured Frosting
  • Small check mark in a circle icon Red food colouring gel or paste
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 25g desiccated coconut
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 18 red sugar-coated chocolate beans
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 36 milk chocolate chips
  • Small check mark in a circle icon 18 mini white marshmallows

Betty's Easy Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan forced). Line 2 x 12 hole muffin pans with 18 paper cupcake cases.
  2. Make up the cake mix as directed on the box with the eggs, butter or oil and milk or water. Divide the mixture evenly between the cupcake cases.
  3. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until risen and just firm to the touch. Leave in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and leave to cool completely (about 30 minutes).
  4. Mix the sachet of frosting from the cake mix box with the 120g of frosting. Place 85g of the frosting in a bowl and beat in enough red food colouring gel or paste to give a bright red colour. Spread a thin layer of the uncoloured frosting over two-thirds of the top of each cupcake. Spread the red frosting over the rest of each cupcake to resemble Santa hats.
  5. Sprinkle desiccated coconut around the white frosted edge of each cupcake to resemble a fluffy beard, pressing down gently. Add a red sugar-coated chocolate bean and 2 chocolate chips to each cupcake for noses and eyes. Add a mini marshmallow to one side of the red frosting for the bobble on the hat of each cupcake.

Betty's Tips

  • You can make and freeze the undecorated cupcakes up to a month in advance. Defrost at room temperature for 1-2 hours before decorating.
  • Add a sprinkling of glimmer sugar to the red Santa hat, if liked, for an extra bit of festive sparkle.
  • Store the decorated cupcakes in an airtight container in a cool place for 3-4 days.