17 Holiday Cupcakes To Make The Season Bright, Because We're All Getting A Little Tired of Christmas Cookies

You either love eggnog, or you absolutely loathe it. Same goes for these cupcakes, so let’s hope your guests are down with the eggnog. Inspired by the red cup classic, this recipe by Inside Bru Crew Life shows you exactly how much rum and nog you need (that’s right — rum) to make these cakes.

Image: Inside Bru Crew Life

Since gingerbread cookies are my absolute favorite cookies of all time, I am a huge advocate of the gingerbread cupcake. Using ingredients like molasses, cinnamon, heavy cream, and a LOT of butter, Confessions of a Cookbook Queen instructs you how to make gingerbread cupcakes for the true gingerbread aficionado.

Image: Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

Thanks to Bakerella, you can learn how to make cupcakes that look like charming little snowmen. This is a very-many-step process, but it’s well worth it.

Image: Bakerella

For those who are on a gluten-free diet, these cupcakes by Cookie Monster Cooking are perfect. They’re also slightly healthier, since they call for coconut oil instead of a vat of butter or canola oil.

Image: Cookie Monster Cooking

More gingerbread cupcakes? Yes. I told you. I am ALL about that gingerbread game. These cupcakes by Cookies and Cups are a little different though — instead of regular old buttercream frosting, this recipe shows you how to make white chocolate pudding frosting, which is slightly more rich and decadent. In fact, most of this cupcake is just frosting. Which is OK with me.

Image: Cookies and Cups

When in doubt, just make a bunch of cupcakes in the shape of the snowmen and snowflakes. These cakes by Bakerella are probably a little too pretty to actually eat.

Image: Bakerella

The holidays aren’t actually happening unless you have at least one Frozen-themed pastry or YouTube video in your life, right? Learn how to make the perfect Olaf cupcake using this recipe by Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.

Image: Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

One of my favorite ~naughty~ drinks at Starbucks is their caramel apple cider. Even though I know it’s just heated up cider and like a gallon of caramel sauce, I still make sure to at least order one every winter. This cupcake version posted on Baked by Rachel is just as sweet and cozy (and sugary).

Image: Baked by Rachel

Since these cupcakes are made with real cranberries, they’re practically healthy, right? Cookie Monster Cooking shows you how to pair the perfectly sweet and tart cupcakes with cranberries and luxurious white chocolate frosting made from scratch.

Image: Cookie Monster Cooking

Although these aren’t “holiday” themed per se, anything champagne still makes me think of holiday festivities. Check out the beautiful recipe on Humming Bird High.

Image: Humming Bird High

Why not bake cupcakes that look like ice cream sundaes and taste like creamy peppermint mountains of awesome? The amount of buttercream and ganache just one cupcake yields is impressive. Find the recipe on My Baking Addiction.

Image: My Baking Addiction

This is my obligatory reindeer-themed dessert, because the holidays wouldn’t be the same without them! Who knew pretzels could be so versatile? Check these out on Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.

Image: Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

If you want to out-do everyone at the office holiday party, just bring these in. While they might take you a while (making these will remind you of all those crafts you did in summer camp), the results are worth it. Find the recipe on Bakerella.

Image: Bakerella

If you want to bake something super adorable, fruity, and chocolaty, try these cakes on for size. Learn how to make this chocolate-chip cookie hybrid over at The Messy Baker.

Image: The Messy Baker

Few things remind me of the holiday season quite like Ferrero Rochers, the fancy hazelnut chocolate candy for fancy people. This recipe is pretty simple, but super delicious. Get it over at Willow Bird Baking.

Image: Willow Bird Baking

If you’re not a heavy frosting fan, this mousse is a yummy alternative. Light, fluffy, and creamy, the mousse basically makes these chocolate cupcakes. Get the recipe over at Your Cup of Cake.

Image: Your Cup of Cake