Santa Belt Cupcakes #ChristmasSweetsWeek
Chocolate cupcakes are topped with red tinted, homemade butter cream frosting. With a black frosted belt, a yellow fondant buckle, and two mini chocolate chip buttons- these Santa Belt Cupcakes are the most adorable Christmas-themed dessert to celebrate any occasion with.
This post is sponsored in conjunction with ChristmasSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.
Christmas lights. All things Santa. Cupcakes. Cupcakes! Who doesn’t love cupcakes?! Christmas is in full swing in this house.
I’m typing this post by the warm light from a lit Christmas tree with fresh pine scent from a Balsam fir floating in the air. It’s a pretty heady combination, especially for someone who loves the holiday season as much as I do.
Usually I’m a firm weekend after Thanksigiving the tree goes up kinda girl, but the pasta two years we’ve been getting a later start. I guess in our old age, we’re moving toward mid-December kinda folks. There are worse things as far as changes go, lol.
We got our tree this past weekend. Not from the local tree farm we’re used to, they’re closed for the 2018 season and will reopen next year- but from a roadside lot run by the local boys’ baseball travel team. Remind me never to do that again! While I love being able to contribute to local charities and such things now that we have an income where we can afford to be discretionary- what I spent on this tree wasn’t just unseemly, it was unGodly that anyone could, should, or would charge so much. Either way, we needed a tree, she’s a beauty, and it’s Christmas- so I’m not even gonna be mad. Plus, I probably should’ve read, or even checked out in the least, the price tag before telling them to cut it down and package it up.
She’s up, she’s watered. Three out of four of the sons’ were home tonight helping me string lights, hang ornaments, and decorate the house- all while a pot of chili bubbled away on the stove top and fresh corn bread baked in the oven.
It was magical. And that’s the best way for any night to be during the special Christmas season. That begs another question… what’s the best way to end a truly magical evening, that isn’t a let down but a perfect compliment?
Sweet sugary confections. 100 %, always the answer during yule tide.
These Santa Belt Cupcakes are the perfect end to any special Christmas-themed evening. They were the perfect way to say thanks to my boys for showing up, and happily helping me deck the halls. Also, a sweet way to send them home and the perfect dessert to end our night. They’re also simple enough that I was able to whip them up, in between hanging ornaments, in the mere hour it took us to finish the family tree.
The start of this recipe gives you a little leeway. You can bake your own, or purchase a dozen unfrosted chocolate cupcakes. In theory you could also use vanilla cupcakes, but chocolate is the real hero here.
A hand mixer, or a stand mixer, is used to cream together the butter, sugar, and milk until the mixture’s silky smooth, creamy, and gorgeous. Beat in the food coloring until completely incorporated and the frosting’s a pretty red hue. Not pink, but red since we’re reppin’ the big guy himself. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag. One thing I’ve found helpful is to find a large, wide mouthed jar and put the piping bag into it, folding the tops down around the jar. This way I’m able to scoop the frosting into the bag, with no mess, and when done I can just fold the top back up.
Pipe a single line of black decorating frosting out over each cupcakes for Santa’s belt. Place a small rectangle of yellow fondant in the center of the ‘belt’ for a buckle. Place two mini chocolate chips over each belt for buttons. Serve the cupcakes right away, or save them for a special ending to a holiday spread.
Santa Belt Cupcakes are the must-make treat this Christmas season. Don’t miss out! Your kids will adore them, as will the kids (both young & old) at any party or gathering you serve them at or bring them to. Although, I will say- they’re best enjoyed with Christmas lights in the background, with family.
Have you heard the saying that the ingredients make the dessert? I’ve found it to be true. Thankfully, I always have Cabot Creamery’s quality butter on hand. A good butter’s an essential requirement for a solid butter cream. Same goes for Dixie Crystal’s sugar. Two brands I can’t live without, that always deliver on flavor and results. They made whipping up these cupcakes a breeze.
Stay tuned to hear how we’ve teamed up with them too as part of #ChristmasSweetsWeek, and how they can give your own holiday baking a big boost.
If you’ve tried these SANTA BELT CUPCAKES, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Santa Belt Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 12 of your favorite chocolate cupcakes
- 1 stick Cabot Creamery butter softened
- 2 cups Dixie Crystal's powdered sugar
- 3-5 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp red gel food coloring
- Black decorating frosting
- 2 oz yellow fondant
- 24 mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Once you’ve baked your cupcakes and they are completely cool, start making your buttercream frosting. To do so, use an electric mixer to beat butter, confectioners’ sugar and milk on high speed.
- Once the ingredients for your buttercream are smooth and completely mixed-in with one another, add your red gel food coloring. Continue beating until completely tinted.
- Using a piping bag, frost each of your cupcakes.
- With a piping tip, pipe out one strip of black decorating frosting on each cupcake.
- Roll of your yellow fondant and cut small rectangles, about ½ an inch in-size. Place in the middle of the black frosting. This will act as Santa’s belt.
- Place two chocolate chips just above Santa’s belt – these will be his buttons.
- Serve and happy holidays!
Welcome to #ChristmasSweetsWeek 2018 hosted by Terri from Love and Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures! What better way to celebrate the holidays than with food and a fun giveaway? 44 bloggers from around the country have come together to share over 180 sweet Christmas recipes!! Deck the halls and get ready for very merry sweet treats, like fudge, cookies, Christmas morning breakfasts, layer cakes, martinis, cocoa, and more! Our #ChristmasSweetsWeek sponsors are helping us give away some great prizes. Thank you so much, Sponsors, for your generosity. We have an incredible giveaway below and would love if you would take a moment to read about it and what you can win!
Prize #1 Dixie Crystals
Dixie Crystals is giving one winner a Keurig K-Select Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker.
Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. For generations, Dixie Crystals has been at the heart of family traditions and celebrations. Our pure cane, non-GMO sugar products guarantee that treasured family recipes will turn out right every time. Bake with love and Dixie Crystals.
Prize #2 Cabot Creamery Co-operative
Cabot is giving one winner a cheese gift set, including a Cabot Cheese slate cutting board, small cheese cleaver, Cabot custom Bee’s Wrap, an assortment of Cabot’s finest cheeses.
Cabot Creamery Co-operative, makers of naturally aged, award-winning cheeses and dairy products is owned by 1,000 dairy farm families in New England and New York.
Prize #3 LorAnn Oils & Flavors
LorAnn is giving one winner a collection of 6 LorAnn Bakery Emulsions, a collection of three LorAnn Oils vanilla extracts, a candy making cookbook, The Sweetapolita Bakebook, and a 12-unit variety pack of LorAnn super-strength candy oils.
Our flavors. Your creations. For over 50 years, LorAnn Oils has been supplying professionals and home chefs with the finest quality candy and baking flavors, essential oils, and specialty ingredients. Visit us at LorAnn Oils & Flavors to shop, learn, and discover new recipe ideas.
Prize #4 Joyjolt
Joyjolt is giving one winner an Aurora Whiskey Decanter Set. Our Aurora Whiskey Decanter set has a timeless and sophisticated design that adds both class and style to any table. This set is hand made with top quality lead free crystal glass and cutting edge materials. The sets quality, design and upscale packaging makes the Aurora a perfect addition to your home, bar, hotel, restaurant, club or office. DRINK WITH JOY. ENJOY THE JOURNEY.
Here at JoyJolt we believe that so many of the moments you enjoy most include raising a glass. From the jolt you get from that first sip of coffee in the morning to toasting a milestone with close friends. Thats why we have created glassware equally as special and unique as your happiest moments.
Prize #5 Sweets & Treats
Sweets & Treats is giving one winner the Year of Sprinkles Box at a $150 value. It contains holiday mixes, classic sprinkles, and some of their most popular sprinkles.
Sweets & Treats, a party and baking supplies manufacturer and wholesaler, started out of a baking industry need for truly greaseproof cupcake liners. From there, the company expanded into a handful of specialized categories including the latest, Sweet Sprinkles, their one of a kind sprinkles and sprinkle mix line. With hundreds of truly unique products, they are a one stop shop for your next party!
Prize #6 Torani
Torani is giving one winner a year supply of Torani: 12-750ml glass bottles, flavors will be winner’s choice, plus pumps for each bottle.
Torani inspires you to taste life, one flavorful experience at a time. Even though people all over the world recognize our iconic Torani bottle, we’ve remained a family-owned company — adhering to the high quality standards that Rinaldo and Ezilda set over 90 years ago. Each and every syrup, sauce, and smoothie is created with care and pride. Way back we started with just five syrups. Today, you can use more than 100 of our naturally flavored syrups, sauces and beverage bases in coffees, sodas, teas, smoothies, cocktails and more. And we’re excited to bring you new taste traditions and flavors as we move forward.
Thank you ChristmasSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, Lorann Oils & Flavors, Torani, Joyjolt, and Sweets & Treats Boutique for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The ChristmasSweetsWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The ChristmasSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the ChristmasSweetsWeek posts or entry.
Oh, my! These cupcakes look so, so adorable!
Perfect for the holiday season! 🙂
We’ve always had a fake tree, and after reading your story, I am glad! At least you can take satisfaction in the fact that you supported a local group. Your cupcakes are adorable and festive! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday!
Nice! Thanks for the Fiesta Friday Treat.