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The holiday season is here, and what better way to spread the cheer than with adorable Santa Hat Mini Cupcakes? These are the best times to get the kiddos involved since these are super simple to make, but the best part is that you can make them into cupcakes or brownies!

Santa Hat Mini Cupcakes

These little treats are as delicious as they are festive, perfect for holiday parties, cookie swaps, or a sweet surprise for your family. Plus, they’re super easy to make, so even if you’re not good at baking, you can still impress your friends and family with these cute treats. 

The holidays are all about sharing joy, and what better way to do that than with these fun and festive Santa Hat Mini Cupcakes? They’re easy to make, absolutely delightful, and guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone who tries them. 

Gather your ingredients, put on your favorite holiday tunes, and get baking. Happy holidays and happy baking! 

What You’ll Need to Make Santa Hat Mini Cupcakes 

Ingredients 

• Cake mix (or brownie mix), whatever is your favorite
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Water
• Instant pudding mix
• White icing
• Hershey’s Hugs Chocolate Kisses
• Red edible spray paint or color mist

DIRECTIONS 1st Option

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place cupcake liners into tins.

In the bowl of a hand or stand mixer, mix together the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and pudding mix on medium speed for about 1 minute. Scrape the edges of the bowl. Beat on medium speed for two additional minutes until fully combined. Spoon into the cupcake liners, filling ½ full (about ¾ tablespoon). Bake for 11-13 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

To prepare the Santa hats: Unwrap the Kisses and place them on waxed paper. Spray the Kisses evenly with the red paint and let dry.

Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, place 1 Kiss on top of each cupcake. With the cookie icing with a small tip, draw a white border around the base of the Kiss. Next,  dollop a small dot of icing on the very top of the Kiss. Let dry and serve!

Directions 2nd Option

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Put cupcake liners into a muffin tin.
2. Make the batter:
   1. Use a mixing bowl and hand or stand mixer.
   2. Mix cake mix, eggs, oil, water, and pudding mix on medium speed for 1 minute.
   3. Scrape the sides of the bowl, then mix for 2 more minutes until smooth.
3. Fill the liners:
   1. Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners until they’re halfway full (about ¾ tablespoon).
4. Bake the cupcakes:
   1. Bake for 11-13 minutes.
   2. Check with a toothpick—if it comes out clean, they’re done.
   3. Cool the cupcakes completely.
5. Make Santa hats:
   1. Unwrap chocolate Kisses and place them on wax paper.
   2. Spray them with red food spray. Set aside to dry.
6. Decorate cupcakes:
   1. Place one Kiss on top of each cooled cupcake.
   2. Use white cookie icing to draw a ring around the bottom of each Kiss.
   3. Add a small dot of icing to the tip of each Kiss to look like a pom-pom.
7. Dry and serve your festive Santa hat cupcakes!

Tips

• Ensure the icing at the base of the Kiss is firmly touching the cupcake top to keep it secure.
• Use caution with food coloring spray, as its fine particles can spread into the air, landing on surfaces and even irritating your nose. Spray in a well-ventilated area or outdoors if you can.
• If you’re using store-bought frosting, transfer it to a Ziploc bag, snip a small corner, and use it to apply the icing easily.

Variations  and Substitutions 

• Use any flavor of cake mix or brownie mix you like
• Replace the Hershey’s Hugs with mini marshmallows for a non-chocolate version.
• Use green or white edible spray paint for a different look
• Add a mini marshmallow on top of the dot of icing for a pom-pom.
• Decorate the cupcakes with sprinkles or edible glitter for extra sparkle.