Christmas Morning Muffins
Say hello to your new favorite festive bake! These gorgeous baked treats are sweet, moist, fluffy, packed with chocolate chips and sprinkles, and they’re such a good choice for serving on Christmas morning or just in the run up to the most wonderful time of the year.
We’re using boxed cake mix here to keep things super simple, and adding some Greek yogurt for a little tang and creaminess, as well as instant vanilla pudding mix for the best texture (trust me, this combo really works).
They’re fun, colorful, nostalgic, and I can’t wait for you to try them and let me know what you think!
Ingredients
I personally love a printable recipe card, and I know from reader feedback that many of you do too! That’s why you’ll find one ready for you to use at the bottom of this post. I highly recommend though that you don’t skip the next few sections. I’m explaining more about the recipe and sharing extra tips for the best possible results…
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Eggs – The base that helps bind everything together and gives the muffins structure.
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Vegetable oil – Keeps the muffins super moist and tender.
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Milk & water – Add just the right amount of liquid for a soft, fluffy crumb.
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Vanilla extract – A little flavor boost that makes the muffins taste homemade.
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Plain Greek yogurt – Adds creaminess and tang while keeping the muffins extra moist. (You can also use sour cream if that’s what you have on hand.)
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White cake mix – The shortcut base that makes these muffins quick and foolproof.
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Instant vanilla pudding mix – The secret ingredient for rich flavor and bakery-style softness.
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Semi-sweet & white chocolate chips – A mix of melty, chocolatey goodness in every bite. Divide them so you can stir some in and save the rest for topping.
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Christmas sprinkles – The festive finishing touch that makes these muffins look just as joyful as they taste.
How To Make Christmas Morning Muffins
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Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a jumbo muffin pan with 12 jumbo liners.
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In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, milk, water, and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth.
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Mix in the sour cream until fully combined.
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Using a spoon, stir in the cake mix and dry pudding mix — no need to overmix, just until everything comes together.
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Fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup of white chocolate chips, and plenty of sprinkles for that festive touch.
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Divide the batter evenly between the muffin liners, then sprinkle the tops with the remaining chocolate chips and a few extra sprinkles.
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Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Storage Tips
Keep your muffins fresh and ready for Christmas morning (or any morning!):
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Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Fridge – They’ll last 5–6 days chilled. Just bring to room temp or give them a quick warm-up before serving.
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Freezer – Freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or pop one in the microwave for a quick festive treat.
Recipe Notes
Don’t go crazy with the stirring once the dry ingredients go in — just mix until everything’s combined. That’s the trick to keeping these muffins soft and tender instead of heavy. Room-temp eggs and yogurt help too, giving you a smooth batter and a nice tall rise.
For that bakery look, fill the muffin liners almost to the top, then press a few extra chocolate chips and sprinkles right on top before baking. Not only does it look festive, but it guarantees melty chocolate in every bite. Start checking with a toothpick at the 20-minute mark since every oven has a mind of its own.
Variations
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Grinch Green Muffins – Add a drop of green gel food coloring to the batter for a whimsical holiday twist that’ll get the kids giggling.
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Double Chocolate – Swap in chocolate cake mix and chocolate pudding for muffins that taste like a cross between brownies and cupcakes.
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Peppermint Crunch – Stir in crushed peppermint candies or use a splash of peppermint extract instead of vanilla for a festive, minty spin.
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Frosted Muffins – Once cooled, drizzle with melted white chocolate or a simple vanilla glaze, then pile on extra sprinkles for the ultimate Christmas morning treat.
Serving Ideas
These muffins are basically made for Christmas morning — quick, festive, and guaranteed to make the whole kitchen smell amazing while everyone’s unwrapping presents.
Serve them as part of a holiday brunch spread with fruit, coffee, and maybe a little hot cocoa for the kids.
They’re also perfect on a cookie platter or dessert table when you want something a little heartier than a sugar cookie.
Christmas Morning Muffins
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1 box (15.25 ounce) white cake mix
- 1 package (3.9 ounce) instant vanilla pudding
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips divided
- 1 ½ cups white chocolate chips divided
- 1 tablespoon Christmas sprinkles plus more for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a jumbo muffin pan with 12 jumbo liners.
- In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, milk, water, and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Mix in the sour cream until fully combined.
- Using a spoon, stir in the cake mix and dry pudding mix — no need to overmix, just until everything comes together.
- Fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup of white chocolate chips, and plenty of sprinkles for that festive touch.
- Divide the batter evenly between the muffin liners, then sprinkle the tops with the remaining chocolate chips and a few extra sprinkles.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
I really hope you’ll love baking these muffins and enjoying them over the festive season! Whether you make them for the big morning itself or just as a little treat to enjoy in December, I’d love to see your pictures. You can tag me on Instagram @slimmingviolet, and I’d also really appreciate it if you could leave a quick review and star rating below!
