cupcake pairings

Create a delicious dessert table at your next holiday gathering—complete with bite-size cupcakes and drink pairings for everyone!

Walking around enjoying festive lights, going on a family ski trip, and celebrating the holidays with loved ones are just a few of my favorite things about the holiday season. And one thing that all of these activities have in common is the opportunity to enjoy delicious holiday treats and drinks. Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy our bite-size holiday favorites, but don’t stop at trying just one. Whether you create a holiday dessert table covered in treats or bring them as a hostess gift, remember—they’re small so you can try them all! 

My favorite holiday cupcake pairings

CHAMPAGNE & BROOKIE

Celebrate the season with a rich, indulgent brookie cupcake (aka all of the best desserts in one bite!) and a glass of your favorite sparkling wine. The acidity and effervescence of sparkling wine help cut the rich dessert, making it the perfect pairing. The Brookie is one of my all-time favorites—it’s chewy, it’s gooey, it’s perfectly sweet, and when you take a bite of it the overstuffed cookie dough shines through the blondie topping.

APPLE CIDER & CARAMEL CAKE BATTER

What goes better with caramel than apples? Whether you prefer your apple cider spiked or non-alcoholic, sparkling or warm, the Caramel Cake Batter cupcake is for you. It’s filled with luscious dulce de leche and topped with icing that tastes just like cake batter, creating a sweet treat made for seasonal apple cider. The inspiration came from recipe testing for Cakes by Melissa—our VP came over to my house (where, undoubtedly, all of the different cakes, stuffing, and icing flavors were lying around) and we instantly knew this would be a hit.

ESPRESSO & CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE

At the end of your holiday feast, relax with a shot of espresso (or an espresso martini!) and a Christmas Sugar Cookie cupcake. December’s mini of the month is more than just Santa’s favorite flavor, it’s the perfect bite of sweetness at the end of a hearty meal. I love Christmas even though I don’t celebrate it. For me, the holiday always reminds me of baking cookies, which is a tradition I share with my kids every year.     

MULLED WINE & CHOCOLATE BABKA

Warm, spiced red wine—you know the kind, filled with cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks, and citrus—pairs wonderfully with fluffy chocolate icing and cozy cinnamon filling of the Chocolate Babka cupcake. Pair any drink you make with baking spices this season with the bite-size babka. I’ve had my fair share of delicious babka experiences, from the ones my grandfather would bring over to Breads Bakery. The best ones are topped with streusel, which is why I added it to this cupcake!

Snowcaps were my go-to candy whenever I went to the movies with my family as a kid. Our cupcake version is even better, because it’s moist and soft and fudgy and everything you’d want a dessert to be. It always reminds me of winter and skiing, and what pairs better with skiing than a hot toddy après ski? 

All good hot chocolate comes with marshmallows; this pairing gives you soft vanilla cake and a fluffy marshmallow center. Trust me—the best way to enjoy it is in front of a cozy fire while wrapped in a warm blanket. This cupcake is a nod to a winter wonderland and features one of our most popular flavors, and what can I say—I like to make people happy. 

WHITE TEA & GF TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CRUNCH

I’m a chocolate girl, there’s no doubt about it. This cupcake delivers chocolate in each and every component, from the cake to the icing to the dark chocolate brittle. To balance out the richness of the chocolate, try enjoying it with your favorite white tea, which typically has a more delicate flavor profile. 

NEGRONI SBAGLIATO & GF BIRTHDAY CAKE

Celebrate all of the December babies in your life with festive, gluten-free treats. Our classic vanilla cake and chocolate fudge icing is the ultimate crowd-pleaser—just like the Negroni Sbagliato that has taken over TikTok The sparkling cocktail creates a fun, festive vibe that deserves to be served with bright, colored sprinkles. 

Which holiday cupcake pairing will you try first? Tag @bakedbymelissa on Instagram or TikTok to share.