Santa in Chimney Cupcakes

5.0 from 27 votes

Every holiday season, I remember the first time I made these Santa in Chimney Cupcakes with my family. The laughter, the floury hands, and the pure joy of creating something together made the experience truly magical.

These cupcakes have become a tradition in our home, and they never fail to bring smiles to our faces. I hope they do the same for you and your loved ones 🙂

These adorable Santa upside down cupcakes are perfect for holiday parties or as a sweet surprise for your family on Christmas morning.

To make these cupcakes, you’ll need to bake a batch of your favorite cupcakes. I have chosen some Nutella stuffed vanilla ones but you can go with any type of cupcake. You can even skip the made from scratch recipe and use a cupcake mix box and then decorate them with whipped cream frosting and baby marshmallows to create the look of Santa’s legs stuck in a chimney.

The process may seem daunting at first, but trust me it’s not that tricky and you’ll have a batch of delicious and adorable cupcakes in no time.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking for a fun holiday project to try, these Santa Legs Cupcakes are sure to delight everyone who sees them. So gather your ingredients, put on some festive music, and get ready to create a treat that’s as delicious as it is cute!

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla essence
• 3/4 cup Vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1 &1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup Nutella

Whipped Cream Frosting

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Santa Legs Decorations

• Mini marshmallows
• Food dyes: red and black. I have used soft gel paste for these cupcakes
• Toothpicks

How to Make Upside Down Santa Cupcakes

Start by making the cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. line a large cupcake pan (12 cupcakes) with liners.

2. In a large bowl beat together the oil, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined.

3. Add flour and baking soda, mixing well to avoid any lumps in the batter.

4. Fill each cupcake liner about 3/4 full with batter and bake for 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

5. Transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack to cool completely before we fill them with Nutella.

Use an apple corer or small paring knife to remove the center of each cupcake, being careful not to remove the bottom.

Place the Nutella in a ziptop bag and snip a hole in one corner. Gently squeeze 1 teaspoon of Nutella into each cupcake.

Make the Whipped Cream Frosting

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream with the whisk attachment of an electric mixer until soft peaks begin to form.

2. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Use immediately.

Decorate the cupcakes, once they are completely cooled on top in the form of a snowdrift.

Make Santa Legs

Prick mini marshmallows on skewers, use food coloring to color them black and red and place them on top of the whipped cream frosting.

Decorating Santa in Chimney Cupcakes Variations

Making Santa in chimney cupcakes is a fun way to add some festive cheer to your holiday baking. Here are some variations on how to decorate your cupcakes with Santa in a chimney theme.

Creating Santa’s Legs Variations

To create Santa’s legs, you can also use fruit by the foot fruit roll ups or red fondant to make his pants. Cut the roll up or fondant into the shape of pants and attach them to the cupcake with frosting. For the boots, use mini M&M’s or black fondant to make the boots and marshmallow or white fondant to make the trim. Attach the boots to the pants with frosting and use a gel icing tube to add some detail to the boots.

Make the Chimney

To make the chimney, use pretzel rods or candy canes to make the structure and attach it to the cupcake with frosting. Use candy melts to make the bricks and attach them to the pretzel rods or candy canes with frosting. For the smoke, use white gel icing and green and red gel icing to make it look like it is coming out of the chimney.

Overall, decorating Santa in chimney cupcakes is a fun and creative way to add some holiday cheer to your baking. With a little bit of creativity and some basic baking supplies, you can create a festive treat that is sure to impress your family and friends.

How to store Santa Cupcakes

Consume Promptly: Cupcakes are at their best when consumed within 2-3 days of baking. The sooner you enjoy them, the fresher they’ll be.

Room Temperature: Cupcakes are best stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as this can dry them out. Decorate them just before serving. It’s really easy if you already have Santa legs ready

Freezing: If you need to store the cupcakes for an extended period (more than a few days), consider freezing them. Place the cupcakes without frosting and Santa legs in an airtight container and freeze. When you’re ready to enjoy them, allow them to thaw at room temperature and decorate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some creative ways to decorate Santa in chimney cupcakes?

There are many creative ways to decorate Santa in chimney cupcakes. Some popular ideas include using fondant to create Santa’s face and body, using candy canes as the chimney, and using red and white frosting to create a festive Santa hat.

How can I make sure the Santa decorations on my chimney cupcakes stay upright?

To make sure the Santa decorations on your chimney cupcakes stay upright, you definitely have to use toothpicks to secure them in place. Another option is to use a small amount of frosting or melted chocolate to “glue” the decorations onto the cupcakes.

Can I use fondant to make Santa decorations for my chimney cupcakes?

Yes, fondant is a great option for making Santa decorations for your chimney cupcakes. You can use it to create Santa’s legs, as well as other festive decorations like presents and Christmas trees.

How long do Santa in chimney cupcakes stay fresh for?

Santa in chimney cupcakes will typically stay fresh for up to three days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. However, it’s best to enjoy them within the first day or two for the best taste and texture.