10 Festive Christmas Cupcake Recipes

Big batches of Christmas cupcakes are great for holiday dinner crowds. Try classic gingerbread or cocktail-inspired White Russian cupcakes this year.

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Gingerbread Cupcakes with Black Licorice Frosting

A nicely spiced gingerbread cupcake would be plenty festive for a holiday celebration, but topped with black licorice frosting and a tower of licorice slices, it has extra bite — perfect for making a statement.

Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Cupcakes with Black Licorice Frosting

Caramel Apple Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Add chopped apples to cupcake batter along with a squeeze of caramel to replicate the flavors of the favorite fruit-on-a-stick sweet –– without the stick-to-your-teeth mess.

Get the Recipe: Caramel-Apple Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Instead of a cream cheese icing, Chuck Hughes tops his red velvet cupcakes with a sweet mixture of marscapone and whipped cream, which is rich and tangy but a lot lighter.

Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cupcakes

Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Give maple cupcakes a holiday boost by adding bits of applewood bacon to the batter. Amp up the richness by adding maple frosting and a crisp slice of bacon on top.

Get the Recipe: Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Cookie Dough-Stuffed Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

A chocolate cupcake is good. A chocolate cupcake topped with cookie dough buttercream is even better. But a chocolate cupcake stuffed with chocolate chip cookie dough and topped with cookie dough buttercream? That's perfection.

Get the Recipe: Cookie Dough-Stuffed Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

Espresso Cupcakes

Bake these caffeinated cupcakes in espresso cups so that guests can enjoy individual portions with ease. A chocolate espresso glaze and single espresso bean serve as telltale garnishes atop the moist chocolate cake.

Get the Recipe: Espresso Cupcakes

Tiramisu Cupcakes

For a great hand-held treat, combine a classic Italian dessert with a popular American one. Booze in dessert for Christmas? Yes, please!

Get the Recipe: Tiramisu Cupcakes

Carrot Cupcakes

Serve up traditional carrot cake in bite-size form. For a twist on the classic, add shaved coconut and dried cherries instead of walnuts and raisins.

Get the Recipe: Carrot Cupcakes

White Russian Cupcake

There's enough liqueur (both the Irish kind and the coffee variety) in these cocktail-themed cupcakes to give you a buzz — perfect for dealing with relatives during the holidays.

Get the Recipe: White Russian Cupcake

Cannoli Cupcakes

Get all the flavor of the Italian treat in cupcake form with creamy ricotta filling, almond cream and a bittersweet chocolate ganache.

Get the Recipe: Cannoli Cupcakes

Chocolate Orange Cupcakes with Duff's Swiss Meringue Buttercream

This chocolatey cupcake topped with fluffy Swiss meringue frosting and candied orange peel was created by Duff Goldman and American Idol's Jordin Sparks, which you can brag about at your holiday party.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Orange Cupcakes with Duff's Swiss Meringue Buttercream