You know those moments when you just want something festive and sweet to cheer up a cold winter day? That’s exactly why I made these Candy Cane Cupcakes. I was sipping my coffee, staring at a pile of candy canes, and thought, why not put that minty, cheerful vibe into cupcakes? They’re just fun to make because the frosting is creamy and off-white perfect for piling on those little red and white marble sprinkles. And honestly, you don’t have to overthink it. I like to just toss the sprinkles on casually and let each cupcake have its own little personality. They feel cozy, playful, and somehow perfect for holiday dessert tables or just a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories: Around 260 per cupcake

Why You Will Love This Candy Cane Cupcakes Recipe

• They’re cheerful and festive without being fussy.
  When I make these, I love how easy it is to get that holiday look without complicated piping or techniques. You will love that a few sprinkles make them instantly festive.
• The frosting is creamy and smooth.
  My preference is an off-white frosting because it makes the red and white marbles pop beautifully. You will notice how pretty they look even if you don’t go crazy with decoration.
• Perfect for gifting or just snacking.
  I like wrapping a few up in a little box for friends or coworkers, but you will enjoy eating them straight from the kitchen too. They feel special but still fun and casual.

Ingredients

Cupcakes

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (optional, if you want a chocolatey base)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk

Frosting

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For decoration

• Red and white marble sprinkles or crushed candy cane pieces

How To Make Candy Cane Cupcakes

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth.
4. Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture until just combined. Don’t overmix.
5. Divide the batter into the cupcake liners and bake for 17-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool completely.
6. For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust consistency as needed.
7. Frost the cooled cupcakes with an off-white swirl of frosting. My preference is a casual swirl so they look homemade and cozy.
8. Sprinkle red and white marble sprinkles over the frosting. You can play around and let each cupcake have its own fun look.

Tips For The Best Candy Cane Cupcakes

• Don’t stress about perfect swirls.
  When I make these, I just swirl the frosting casually. You will see that it gives them a cozy, homemade vibe instead of looking too polished.
• Use fresh sprinkles for color pop.
  I like bright, festive sprinkles because they really stand out against the off-white frosting. You will love how cheerful they look with just a few added.
• Try a subtle candy cane flavor.
  If you want, you can add a tiny drop of peppermint extract to the frosting. I do this sometimes for a subtle minty twist, and you will notice it gives that candy cane vibe without being overpowering.

Substitutions

• Frosting swap
  Use cream cheese frosting if you want a slightly tangier option. My preference is buttercream for that classic sweet look, but you will enjoy either.
• Sprinkle alternatives
  You can crush actual candy canes or use red and white sanding sugar. You will still get a festive, wintery effect.
• Chocolate cupcake base
  I sometimes add a little cocoa powder for a chocolate base. You will see that it adds a richer flavor while still letting the sprinkles shine.

More cupcake recipes

• Red Velvet Cupcakes
• Hot Chocolate Cupcakes 
• Best Raspberry Cupcakes