Santa Hat Cupcakes with Mini Marshmallows Recipe

If you’re on the lookout for an adorable and festive treat that’ll impress at any holiday gathering, I can’t recommend my Santa Hat Cupcakes with Mini Marshmallows Recipe enough! These cupcakes strike the perfect balance between cute and delicious, with that classic snow-white marshmallow trim and bright red frosting that just screams Christmas cheer. Plus, they’re super simple to whip up, even when you’re juggling a million other holiday things. Let me walk you through this fan-freaking-tastic recipe—I promise you’ll love how these turn out.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these cute Santa hats come to life, you don’t need a ton of fancy ingredients. The flavors and textures work beautifully together—soft cupcakes, smooth and vibrant red frosting, and fluffy marshmallows for that snowy vibe. Oh, and a piping tip helps but isn’t necessary if you’re in a pinch!

• Cupcakes: I recommend white or chocolate cupcakes because the colors really pop, but any flavor you love works great.
• Red frosting: Smooth, bright, and spreadable—store-bought is totally fine if you’re short on time, but I love making a quick buttercream from scratch.
• Mini marshmallows: Cut them in half ahead of time for easy decorating. Trust me, this saves a ton of hassle.
• Wilton decorating tip #32 (optional): I like using this tip because it helps ‘pile’ the frosting nicely to mimic the Santa hat shape, but a regular piping tip or even a spoon will do.
• Disposable frosting bag: For easy and mess-free frosting application. Reusable bags work too!

Variations

I’m all about making recipes your own, so I often tweak this Santa Hat Cupcakes with Mini Marshmallows Recipe depending on the occasion or what’s in my pantry. Feel free to experiment with flavors and decorations—you’ll find it’s pretty forgiving!

• Flavor swaps: I once tried peppermint cupcakes underneath to amp up the holiday vibe, and my family was hooked!
• Vegan/Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free frosting and vegan cupcakes, plus marshmallows labeled vegan, to customize for dietary needs.
• Color fun: Try green frosting with red marshmallows for a whimsical twist or even add edible glitter for a sparkle effect.
• Mini Santa hats: I’ve used mini cupcakes and fun-sized marshmallows to make bite-sized hats perfect for parties.

How to Make Santa Hat Cupcakes with Mini Marshmallows Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Mini Marshmallows

This is one of those little hacks that makes assembling these cupcakes totally stress-free. Before you even touch the frosting, get out your mini marshmallows and slice them in half horizontally. I like to set them out on a plate so they’re ready to grab as I go. You’ll need quite a few, so cutting them all at once saves time and stops you from running back and forth chopping more.

Step 2: Get Your Frosting Bag Ready

If you’re using a decorating bag with a Wilton tip #32, go ahead and attach it now and fill the bag with your red frosting. If you’re skipping the tip, a spoon or knife to dollop frosting works just fine too. The idea here is to “pile” the frosting in circles to create the hat shape, so you want to make sure your frosting is soft enough to pipe or spread easily without falling apart.

Step 3: Build the Santa Hat Base

Start by piping or spooning a circle of frosting onto the top of each cupcake. This base will hold the mini marshmallow trim in place. Once you have that ring of frosting, gently press halved marshmallows around the circle to create that fluffy white hat brim you recognize. Don’t worry if it’s a little uneven—this rustic look only makes them cuter!

Step 4: Pile the Frosting Up The Hat

Now comes the fun part. Fill in the circle with red frosting, swirling it around to build up that classic cone shape of Santa’s hat. Keep going round and round, piling the frosting higher as you go. The tip #32 really helps here by allowing you to layer the frosting neatly. Finish by topping each hat with a single half of a mini marshmallow as the pom-pom. It’s the perfect finishing touch!

Step 5: Chill Before Serving

Set your cupcakes in the fridge for about 15 minutes to let the frosting set. This helps keep everything in place, especially those marshmallows sitting on top. When you’re ready, pull them out and watch your family’s faces light up—they’ll go crazy for these festive treats!

How to Serve Santa Hat Cupcakes with Mini Marshmallows Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick with the classic marshmallows on these because the white against the red frosting just shouts Santa. But for extra flair, I’ve sprinkled a pinch of edible glitter or red and green sanding sugar around the edges—instant holiday sparkle that’s sure to wow guests.

Side Dishes

These cupcakes shine as a sweet centerpiece, but I love pairing them with hot cocoa or warm apple cider on chilly nights. For a party, a simple fruit platter or spiced nuts work beautifully alongside to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ideas is to place these Santa Hat Cupcakes on a tiered dessert stand adorned with fresh holly or pine sprigs—it turns your table into a festive winter wonderland. Another fun twist: arrange them around a small holiday wreath for a centerpiece that’s both edible and eye-catching!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the frosting firm and prevent marshmallows from getting sticky. They generally last beautifully for up to 3 days, but honestly, they rarely stick around that long in my house!

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cupcakes before, but a quick tip: freeze before frosting (just the plain cupcakes). Once frozen and thawed, frost and decorate as usual. Freezing fully decorated cupcakes can make marshmallows soggy and frosting less appealing.

Reheating

Since these are better cold or at room temperature, I prefer not to heat them up. If you want to take the chill off after refrigeration, just let them sit out for 15–20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Santa Hat Cupcakes with Mini Marshmallows Recipe brings a bit of whimsy and joy to holiday celebrations with minimal effort. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how such simple ingredients could look so charming—and my family? They’re obsessed. If you’re looking for a festive recipe that’s both cute and foolproof, these cupcakes should be on your holiday baking list. Go on, give them a try and watch the smiles light up the room!

Print