Last Updated on November 7, 2024 by Kimberly Stroh

Perfect for the entire winter season, beyond Christmas, these Winter Snowman Cupcakes are super cute. The faces are decorated with common candies and they’re easy enough for the kid to make themselves. For simplicity, they start with a box of cake mix, and this recipe shows you the step-by-step directions to achieve that cute snowman face!

Cupcakes are such a fun individual dessert and kids really love these snowman cupcakes. If you prep all of the candy ingredients, I think kids as young as 4 could assemble the snowman faces. Whether you need a cupcake idea for a classroom party or you’re celebrating a school snow day, these cupcakes are a fun way to celebrate.

This recipe uses store-bought cake mix. I like that for simplicity and keeping it easy. However, you’re more than welcome to make homemade vanilla cupcakes. I know that tastes better than a box of cake mix!

How To Store Your Cupcakes For Freshness

Cupcakes are such a great individual dessert, but they’re a pain to store. You don’t want to stack the cupcakes and ruin the faces. Use a cupcake carrier as a storage solution. It’s a great way to ensure the cupcakes don’t touch and don’t need to be stacked. Plus, the carrier makes it easy for the cupcakes to be transported to parties.

Can You Freeze These Cupcakes?

The cupcakes can be frozen, but the candies will take longer to thaw. Place the cupcakes in a freezer storage bag and keep them in the back of the freezer. The temperature is more stable in the back of the freezer. Keep the cupcakes frozen for up to three months. Let them thaw on the countertop for several hours before enjoying again. I’d check that the candies are soft to the touch again before eating.

Winter Snowman Cupcake Ingredients:

• 1 box of your favorite cake mix (such as vanilla or chocolate – pick your favorite brand)
• Ingredients required by the cake mix (usually eggs, oil, and water)
• 1 batch of white frosting (you can use store-bought or homemade)
• 4 strips gummy streamers, split and cut in half to make 12 pieces
• Sprinkles or jimmies (orange, blue, red, green)
• Chocolate chips or black icing gel for eyes 
• Miniature chocolate chips for the mouth
• Candy corn for noses
• White sprinkling sugar, optional

How To Make Winter Snowman Cupcakes

Preheat your oven according to the instructions on the cake mix box. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Prepare the cake batter according to the package instructions. Use a measuring cup or an ice cream scoop to distribute the batter evenly among the cupcake liners.

Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven according to the suggested time on the box. Insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake to check for doneness. If it comes out clean, the cupcakes are ready. Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, use a spatula or a butter knife to frost the cupcakes with the frosting, creating a smooth surface.

To create the hat: Cut the gummy streamers to fit across the cupcakes. Place one gummy streamer on each cupcake about ⅓ from one side.

Add sprinkles or jimmies in a color that matches the gummy streamer along the exposed top of the cupcake.

To create the eyes and mouth: Use chocolate chips or black icing gel to create eyes and mouth on the snowman. Place them under the hats.

Place a piece of candy corn as the nose. Sprinkle the snowman face with sprinkling sugar if desired. Let the decorated cupcakes set for a few minutes to ensure the frosting and decorations are secure.