Get ready for some winter fun in the kitchen! These Melting Snowman Cupcakes with Marshmallows are easy to make and sure to become a new holiday favorite.
Made with a vanilla cake mix, homemade frosting, marshmallows, pretzel sticks and cookie icing, you'll have a batch of these sweet snow fellas melting hearts in no time.
Don't stop here! We have a whole bunch of delicious Christmas Snacks just waiting to be discovered.
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These melting snowman cupcakes are simple to make, and would be a fun activity for a school or church party.
Simply have everything laid out for the kids to decorate the marshmallow faces and then easily add them to the tops of frosted cupcakes.
They're a fun addition to any holiday celebration!
Looking for more cute Easy Desserts for Christmas? Try my Reindeer Cupcakes, Nutter Butter Snowmen, and even my Santa Cupcakes. Yum!
Table of Contents
How to Transport Cupcakes
These cupcakes are perfect for Christmas parties at school, but getting them there in one piece can be tricky! No worries, though – we've got you covered with these simple tips:
- To keep your cupcakes safe on the move, a cupcake carrier is your best bet, but a muffin tin in a box works too!
- For fancy cupcakes with tall decorations like these, use toothpicks and plastic wrap to keep things in place.
- It might be easier to add the marshmallows and pretzels once you get to the party. That way, nothing falls off or gets damaged in the car.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
HONGBAKE Muffin Pan for Baking, Nonstick Cupcake Tin 12 Cup, 2 Pack Cup Cake Tray, Premium Cheesecake Pans, Dishwasher Safe - Dark Grey
Caperci Standard White Cupcake Liners 500 Count, No Smell, Food Grade & Grease-Proof Baking Cups PaperBetty Crocker Milk Chocolate Cookie Icing, 7-ounces (Pack of6)Betty Crocker Decorating Cookie Icing, Orange, 7 Ounce Pouch3 Tier Cupcake Carrier with Lid and Handle, Holds 36 Cupcakes (Pink, 13.5 x 10.25 x 10.75 In)
Main Ingredients Needed
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions and Variations
- You could use chocolate chips or pipe icing on for the snowman's buttons in place of the M&M's.
- Give the snowman a scarf with licorice or icing!
- Instead of the making the snowman's face with the decorating icing, you can also draw them on with edible food markers.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Bake the cupcakes according to the instructions on the box. Allow to cool before decorating.
Step 2: Make the frosting by whipping the melted butter on medium speed for a minute.
Quick Tips
- Allow the melted butter to come to room temperature before whipping it.
- If you're making these ahead of time, consider frosting and decorating them the day of the event to keep the marshmallows and pretzels fresh.
Step 3: Add the powdered sugar, a tablespoon of milk and vanilla extract to the whipped butter.
Step 4: Mix on low and add milk a tablespoon of milk at a time if needed to reach the desired consistency.
Kitchen Tool Spotlight
Disposable piping bags make the job of getting the frosting onto the cupcakes quick and beautiful. Plus, they make for easy clean up!
Step 5: Fill the piping bag fitted with a piping tip with the buttercream.
Step 6: Pipe a swirl onto the cupcake in a single layer.
Step 7: Use the decorating icing to make the snowman's face on each marshmallow.
Step 8: Insert a pretzel stick into the bottom of each marshmallow.
Step 9: Add the snowman's head towards the top of the cupcake.
Step 10: Place 2 pretzel sticks on either side of the marshmallow for the snowman's arms.
Step 11: Finally add the M&M's for the snowman's buttons. I placed mine offset so it added to the "melting" look.
Before you Begin!
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
To transport cupcakes safely, use a specialized cupcake carrier or create a DIY solution with a muffin tin in a box lined. Ensure the container is secure during transport, considering temperature and extra care for elaborate decorations.
Buttercream-frosted cupcakes are generally fine left out overnight in an airtight container, but those with cream cheese frosting or fillings containing dairy/eggs need refrigeration. However, if it's warm in your home or you live in a warm climate, you might want to store all frosted cupcakes in the refrigerator.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Room Temperature: Since these cupcakes have marshmallows and pretzel sticks, it's best to store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Freezer: Bake these cupcakes in advance and freeze them unfrosted. When you're ready, simply thaw and decorate.
Thaw: Allow the frozen cupcakes to defrost overnight in the refrigerator. The next morning decorate as directed in the recipe card below.
More Recipes You'll Love!
Check out my other recipe for Reindeer Cupcake Cake. Or you might like this recipe for Easy Snowman Cake.
📖 Recipe Card
Melting Snowman Cupcakes with Marshmallows
Video
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix (plus the ingredients on the box)
- 1 cup melted salted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1-4 tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 15 marshmallows
- 45 pretzel sticks
- mini M&M's
- black decorating icing
- orange decorating icing
- 1 piping bag
- 1 piping tip
Method
- Bake the cupcakes according to the directions on the box. Bake time may vary. Let cool before decorating.
- Make the frosting by adding the room temperature melted butter to a large mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed for 1 minute using a stand mixer or hand mixer. Add the vanilla extract, confectioners' sugar, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Mix on low speed until combined. If needed, add an additional tablespoon of milk at a time and mix again until you reach the desired consistency.
- Fill the piping bag with the vanilla buttercream frosting. Pipe onto the cupcake in a single layer, forming a large swirl.
- Using the black decorating icing, draw the eyes toward the top of the marshmallow. Then, draw little dots in a curved pattern to create the mouth. Using the orange decorating icing, draw a line between the eyes and the mouth to create the nose.
- Attach the marshmallow to the cupcake by gently inserting a pretzel into the marshmallow and sticking it into the frosting to create the snowman’s head.
- Stick two pretzels on both sides of the head into the cupcake to create the arms. Press 3 M&M's into the frosting to create the snowman’s buttons. Enjoy!
Pam says
Those are so adorable! I have featured this post at Thursday Favorite Things today. 🙂
Esme Slabbert says
Thank you for sharing and participating at SSPS 341 Lois. See you at #342, Jan 6. Merry Christmas/Happy Festive Season.
Esme Slabbert says
Awesome, love this idea,
Saw your post at Handmade Monday.
My entries are Fruity Christmas Cake and Smoked Ham Leg with Apricot Jam and Cloves
Hope you will join SSPS