Arrange the cupcakes up according to the diagram into a Christmas tree shape on a platter or cutting board.

Using mixer, beat softened butter until creamy.

Add salt, then gradually, about ½ cup at a time, add powdered sugar, waiting until each cup is completely mixed before adding more.

With mixer on medium-low speed, add the heavy cream/milk, one tablespoon at a time. Once ingredients are well incorporated, gradually increase speed to high and beat for about 30 seconds.

Add vanilla extract and stir well.

First, save some frosting out for the tree trunk and mix it up with brown food coloring gel or cocoa powder, set aside. You won’t need a lot.

With the remaining frosting using the green food coloring, mix it into the frosting to get the color(s) you want. Pipe frosting on top of cupcakes using a star tip or frost with a spatula.

Pipe or spread the green frosting over cooled cupcakes for the tree part, followed by the brown frosting for the tree trunk. If you want to fill in the holes where the cupcakes aren't touching, you can pipe in some frosting if you like. If there is too much of a gap, the frosting will just fall through, so make sure your cupcakes are close together and touching.

Decorate the tree by placing the green, red and white m&m’s, green sixlets and gold stars all over.

For the tree trunk - Use a star tip or toothpick to make it look rough or place the twix bars on top to look like logs or bark. Can also use peppermint sticks for a festive look as well.

For the Star on Top of the Tree - I melted white chocolate and laid a pretzel stick down and piped out a star and sprinkled it with some colorful sprinkles. Once it was hardened, I stuck it in the top of the tree.

Add any decor you like, you can make this with any kind or color of m&ms, candies, sprinkles, etc. Make it a fun project with the kids!