Candy Cane Swirl Cupcakes – Festive Christmas Treat
Every year, I like to bake something festive that’s easy enough to pull off during the holiday rush but still looks like I put in some effort. These Candy Cane Swirl Cupcakes hit that sweet spot.
The red and white swirls give them that fun Christmas vibe, and the crushed candy canes on top add just the right amount of crunch and peppermint flavor. They’re a fun and easy holiday dessert – perfect for parties, bake sales, or cozy nights in with hot cocoa.
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If you’re looking for a dessert that screams Christmas cheer, these swirled candy cane cupcakes are it.
How to Make Candy Cane Swirl Cupcakes
Here are the ingredients you need to make these candy cane swirl cupcakes, plus step by step instructions for how to make them.
Ingredients
- 15.5 oz box white cake mix
- 1 ¼ cups water
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 egg whites
- Red food coloring
- 2-3 cups vanilla frosting
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes
Step by Step Instructions
1. Start by crushing the candy canes into small pieces and set them aside for topping.
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
3. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners. (Red and white liners or plain red ones look great for the holidays.)
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until the batter is smooth and well combined.
5. Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. Add about 4 drops of red food coloring to one bowl and stir until the color is evenly mixed.
6. To create the swirl effect, spoon a small amount of white batter into each cupcake liner, then a layer of red, followed by another layer of white, and finish with red on top.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely – about an hour.
9. While the cupcakes cool, tint about one-third of the frosting with a few drops of red food coloring and mix until blended.
10. To a piping bag, add a layer of white frosting, then red, then finish with more white frosting to create a swirl effect when piping.
11. Pipe the frosting onto each cupcake, then sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
12. Serve and enjoy your festive candy cane swirl cupcakes!
I’ve made these a few times now, and they always disappear fast, usually before I can even snap a picture. There’s just something about the mix of vanilla cake, frosting, and candy canes that makes everyone grab “just one more.” If you’re looking for something simple but festive to bake this season, these cupcakes are a solid go-to.
More Christmas Treats
Candy Cane Swirl Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 15.5 oz box white cake mix
- 1 ¼ cups water
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 egg whites
- Red food coloring
- 2-3 cups vanilla frosting
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- 1. Start by crushing the candy canes into small pieces and set them aside for topping.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Line a cupcake pan with paper liners. (Red and white liners or plain red ones look great for the holidays.)
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. Add about 4 drops of red food coloring to one bowl and stir until the color is evenly mixed.
- To create the swirl effect, spoon a small amount of white batter into each cupcake liner, then a layer of red, followed by another layer of white, and finish with red on top.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely – about an hour.
- While the cupcakes cool, tint about one-third of the frosting with a few drops of red food coloring and mix until blended.
- To a piping bag, add a layer of white frosting, then red, then finish with more white frosting to create a swirl effect when piping.
- Pipe the frosting onto each cupcake, then sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
- Serve and enjoy your festive candy cane swirl cupcakes!
