Cupcake Ornaments with Reese’s Miniature Cups Recipe

Hey friend, if you’re looking to make your holiday treats stand out this year, you’ve just gotta try my Cupcake Ornaments with Reese’s Miniature Cups Recipe. Trust me, these festive little cupcakes not only taste divine but also double as adorable decorations for your party table (or tree!). I first made these last Christmas, and everyone couldn’t stop asking for the recipe. So, stick with me, and I’ll guide you through making these sweet, colorful cupcake ornaments that are as fun to make as they are to eat.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients in this Cupcake Ornaments with Reese’s Miniature Cups Recipe come together beautifully to create a balance of sweetness, texture, and those iconic flavors we love. Plus, the frosting is adaptable, which means you can tweak the consistency as you go.

• Cupcakes: Whether homemade or store-bought, the cupcake is your base—soft and slightly sweet, perfect for holding frosting and the Reese’s cup.
• Reese’s Miniature Cups: The star here! These add chocolatey peanut butter goodness and act as the cute ornament topper.
• Powdered Sugar: Gives the frosting that silky smooth sweetness essential for decorating.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps keep the frosting creamy and easy to pipe.
• Evaporated Milk: Controls the frosting’s texture—too thick or thin? Just adjust with a little more milk or sugar.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings a warm, inviting flavor that makes the frosting extra tasty.
• Icing Pens or Food Coloring: These bring color and fun details, making your cupcakes look like real ornaments on the tree.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite parts about this Cupcake Ornaments with Reese’s Miniature Cups Recipe is how you can easily make it your own. I like to switch up the color combinations based on the holiday or even add a splash of peppermint extract to the frosting for an extra festive kick.

• Variation: If you prefer a less sweet treat, reduce the powdered sugar in the frosting slightly and add a pinch of salt to balance the flavor.
• Dietary Mods: For a dairy-free version, substitute vegan butter and use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk.
• Seasonal Changes: Swap out the red and green colors for pastel shades to make these cupcakes perfect for Easter or a spring party.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cupcake Ornaments with Reese’s Miniature Cups Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up That Dreamy Frosting

Start by combining your powdered sugar, butter, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Beat it on medium speed until you get a fluffy, smooth frosting. This part is super important—if your frosting feels too runny, add a little more powdered sugar, and if it’s too thick, splash in a touch more evaporated milk. Your frosting should be nice enough to hold shape but still spread easily.

Step 2: Divide and Dye

Pour about ¾ cup of your frosting into two small bowls—one for red and one for green (or your colors of choice). Use a few drops of food coloring to tint the frosting. You want bold, vibrant colors here to make those ornament details pop on your cupcakes.

Step 3: Frost the Cupcakes with White Base

Use the remaining white frosting to generously frost the tops of your cupcakes. I like to dollop and then smooth it with a small spatula or the back of a spoon so there’s a nice, clean canvas for decorating.

Step 4: Time to Decorate Like an Ornament Artist

Fit the colored frostings into piping bags or ziplock bags with a tiny hole cut in the corner. Pipe festive ornament designs onto each cupcake—curlicues, stripes, dots, whatever your heart desires! This is where your creativity shines, so have fun with it.

Step 5: Place the Reese’s Miniature Cups

Finish each cupcake by nestling a Reese’s miniature cup right on top inside the cupcake liner. To make them extra cute and realistic, I sometimes shape a paperclip into a little fishhook and pop it into the Reese’s cup like it’s hanging from a tree branch. My niece loved this little extra touch!

How to Serve Cupcake Ornaments with Reese’s Miniature Cups Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding a little edible glitter or colored sprinkles as extra sparkle on top of these cupcake ornaments—it’s like giving your cupcakes a holiday glow. Some crushed peppermint candies dusted over the frosting add a refreshing crunch too.

Side Dishes

Since these cupcakes are already rich and indulgent, I usually pair them with something light and fresh—like a crisp fruit salad or a simple bowl of mixed berries. It balances out all that sweetness nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged these cupcake ornaments on a large festive platter lined with evergreen sprigs and mini candy canes—everyone thought they were actual tree ornaments! Another time, I stacked them like a little cupcake tree for the table centerpiece. These small presentation details make a big impression.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to keep leftover cupcake ornaments in an airtight container in the fridge, especially because of the frosting and Reese’s cups. They stay fresh for about 3-4 days, but honestly, they rarely hang around that long in my house!

Freezing

Freezing decorated cupcakes can be tricky because the frosting might lose texture. If you want to freeze them, I recommend freezing the plain cupcakes first, then defrosting and decorating fresh before serving for the best look and taste.

Reheating

Since these are cupcakes, reheating isn’t necessary or recommended, especially with delicate frosting and chocolate. Just bring them to room temperature before serving to get the best flavor and texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy making these Cupcake Ornaments with Reese’s Miniature Cups Recipe as much as I do. They bring such a festive, joyful vibe to the kitchen and party table, and honestly, they’re a game-changer for holiday baking. So grab your frosting bags, get those Reese’s ready, and let’s spread some sweet holiday cheer—one adorable cupcake at a time!

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