“The Christas Eve Tree” inspired Sugar & Spice Tree Cupcakes

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl mix together cake mix, water, eggs, vegetable oil, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Then, scoop the batter into cupcake liners about 2/3 full and bake for 14-16 minutes until toothpick comes up clean from the center.
3. After cupcakes have cooled make the frosting. Cream together the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. (Take your time beating.) Then add the vanilla and salt and gradually mix in the powdered sugar until desired consistency. (This frosting is a lot denser than my usual frosting.)
4. Pipe the frosting onto the center of the cupcakes to create a medium sized dollop/circle. Then, place the raw cane sugar in a shallow bowl and flip the cupcakes upside down and gently press them into the sugar. (This will flatten the frosting to make a dense, round "sugar snow" patch in the center of your cupcakes for the trees later.)

Trees

1. Lay your pretzel sticks out on a long sheet of wax paper in preparation. Then melt the candy melts according to the directions on the bag and fill in a piping bag with a small, round nozzle. Then pipe/drizzle your tree shape onto the pretzel sticks and wax paper. (You can also drizzle your candy melts with a spoon instead of piping) Sprinkle with some colorful candy sprinkles.
2. Once the candy melts are completely hardened carefully peel them off of the wax paper. Your trees are then ready to be stuck into the center of your cupcakes. Enjoy!