2lbsconfectioners' sugar910g, plus more for dusting
1poundunsalted butter454g, room temperature
1-2tbspmilk or cream15-30mL
1tspvanilla extract5mL
20dropsgreen food coloring
For the cupcakes
1 1/2cupsall-purpose flour180g
1/2cupunsweetened cocoa powder60g
1tspbaking soda6g
1/2tspsalt3g
1/2cupbuttermilk118mL
1/4cupsour cream60g
1 1/3cupssugar267g
2large eggs
1tspvanilla extract5mL
1/4cupstrong coffee60mL
1/2cupmelter butter115g, optional
Instructions
For the Cake
Pre-heat oven to 350F. Add paper liners to cupcake tin.
Sift the dry ingredients, including sugar, together in a bowl.
Whisk together the milk, vanilla, eggs and sour cream in a small bowl. You can add in 1/2 cup of melted butter for extra rich cupcakes but it's not a must.
Add the dry mixture to the milk/sour cream mixture while the mixer is running on low. Mix for a minute or less.
Scoop about three tablespoons for each cupcake. Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes or until the center is set.
For the Frosting
Cream the butter. Add the sugar and mix on high. Add the milk a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
In a separate bowl add about half of the frosting and the green food coloring, mix until combined.
For the Assembly
Cover the cupcake in white frosting. It doesn't have to be smooth, a bit of texture will make it look more like snow.
Use a spatula to apply a thin layer of green buttercream to the surface of the cone. This will help the dollops you apply stick to the cone better as well as making the trees totally green (in case your dollops don't give full coverage).
You can fill ice cream cone with candy and then place on the cupcake
Use a number 30 tip to pipe star-shaped dollops onto the surface of the cone beginning at the bottom and working to the top.
Sift confectioners' sugar onto the cupcake and it's ready to serve!
Video
Notes
I added a half teaspoon of instant espresso because it brings out the chocolate flavor, you could also add half a teaspoon of peppermint oil if you wanted to bring out a more festive note.
For an added surprise try adding some candy in the cone before applying it to the cupcake. Each cupcake can have a different surprise inside, co coal though!
I like to give a really good dusting of powdered sugar "snow" to the trees for some added realism and dept.
If you don't have a #30 tip then try any small to medium star or leaf tip to pipe the tree.