If there’s ever a moment to lean fully into festive baking, it’s the stretch between December 1st and the day you finally agree to stop eating cookies for breakfast!
And while holiday treats can skew heavy, dairy-filled, and… let’s just say not gut-friendly, vegan cupcakes are having a real moment this year.
They’re lighter, easier to adapt for different dietary needs, and somehow still taste like you’ve put way more effort in than you actually did.
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Whether you’re hosting a cozy get-together, showing up to a work potluck with something that won’t get side-eyed, or just craving a little kitchen therapy, vegan cupcakes check every box.
Think gingerbread spice, peppermint swirls, chocolate-on-chocolate situations, and those nostalgic flavors that instantly put you in a better mood.
And yes—plant-based baking can be decadent, fluffy, and wildly crowd-pleasing. Even your dairy-loving uncle won’t complain.
To make your holiday baking line-up feel a little more magical (and way more inclusive), here are 16 vegan Christmas cupcake recipes that bring all the seasonal joy with none of the compromise.
1. Vegan Gingerbread Cupcakes with Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Frosting
Warm gingerbread spices and fluffy cream cheese frosting make these cupcakes feel instantly cozy. The little gingerbread cookie tucked on top gives them a nostalgic, homemade charm.
2. Vegan Candy Cane Cupcakes
A peppermint-swirled frosting gives these cupcakes their signature festive flair, while the soft chocolate base keeps things balanced and not overly sweet. They’re a great option for anyone obsessed with candy cane season.
3. Festive Vegan Cupcakes with Pistachio & Cranberry
Soft, spiced cupcakes meet a swirl of creamy frosting and a jewel-toned topping of pistachios and cranberries. It’s an effortless way to make a simple bake look instantly celebratory.
4. Vegan Vanilla Almond Christmas Tree Cupcakes
A simple chocolate cupcake becomes instantly festive with a strawberry “Santa hat” and a fluffy ring of frosting. Cute, fresh, and surprisingly easy to pull off — even for beginner decorators.
5. Reindeer Cupcakes
Pretzel antlers and a bright red nose turn a simple cupcake into an adorable Rudolph moment. They’re quick to assemble and guaranteed to win over kids and adults equall
6. Incredibly Vegan Champagne Cupcakes
Light, bubbly, and subtly sweet, these champagne-infused cupcakes feel festive without being fussy. They’re perfect for holiday parties, New Year’s Eve, or any moment that calls for a little sparkle.
7. Vegan Santa Hat Cupcakes
A simple chocolate cupcake becomes instantly festive with a strawberry “Santa hat” and a fluffy ring of frosting. Cute, fresh, and surprisingly easy to pull off — even for beginner decorators.
8. Eggnog Snow Globe Cupcakes
A frosted snow-globe dome makes these cupcakes feel straight out of a holiday movie moment, and the eggnog buttercream adds that nostalgic, cozy flavor. They’re a guaranteed conversation starter at any festive gathering.
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9. Gluten-Free Mint Chocolate Cupcakes
Cool mint frosting and a fudgy chocolate cupcake is a classic winter pairing for a reason—refreshing, decadent, and totally crowd-friendly. These are ideal for anyone who loves that peppermint-meets-chocolate moment.
10. Gluten-free Vegan Chocolate Gingerbread Cupcakes
Warm gingerbread spices and deep chocolate notes blend into a cupcake that tastes like December in baked form. They’re simple, nostalgic, and perfect with a cup of tea.
11. Vegan Chocolate Biscoff Cupcakes
Rich chocolate cake meets a creamy Biscoff frosting for a cupcake that tastes like pure holiday indulgence. The cookie topper adds the perfect crunch to balance all that soft, spiced sweetness.
12. Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
These chocolate-peppermint cupcakes bring that classic holiday flavor combo in a way that feels fresh and not overly sweet. Crushed candy cane on top gives them an effortless festive finish.
13. Vegan Gingerbread Cupcakes With Eggnog Frosting
Spiced cupcakes paired with a creamy eggnog swirl create the holiday crossover you didn’t know you needed. They’re soft, fragrant, and ideal for anyone who loves those classic seasonal flavors.
14. Vegan Black Forest Cupcakes
Layers of dark chocolate, fluffy cream, and a glossy cherry topping make these feel rich, dramatic, and incredibly satisfying. It’s a classic flavor combination with a plant-based update.
15. Christmas Tree Chocolate Cupcakes (Vegan Gluten-Free)
These charming tree-topped cupcakes bring full holiday magic with their rich chocolate base and piped “evergreen” frosting. They’re the kind of showstoppers that look bakery-level but are surprisingly doable at home.
16. Pistachio Cupcakes with Vegan Buttercream Santa Hats
With soft pink-and-white frosting swirled into a cute little Santa hat, these cupcakes are playful without leaning cheesy. The pistachio cake adds a grown-up twist to a whimsical design.
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