In a large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients, except sugar, until well combined
In a separate bowl or container, mix vinegar and buttermilk together and let it sit for 10 minute
Add granulated sugar to the mix and whip until all the sugar has melted
Add in the oil and mix it again till everything is well combined
Add the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and use a whisk to mix everything is combined and you a get a smooth batter with very little or no lumps
Pour out the batter into the cupcake liners. Fill up to 3/4th height of the liners
Bake at 350 F for 18- 20 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean from the cupcake
Let them cool to room temperature before you apply frosting
Ermine Frosting
Add sugar, flour and salt into a medium saucepan and mix.
Add in the almond milk and vanilla extract.
Turn on the heat to medium and stir until the mixture starts to boil
Keep stirring continuously for the next 2 minutes until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like texture. After this, remove the pan from the heat
Transfer to a bowl, wrap it with a plastic wrap and let it cool down to room temperature. The plastic wrap ensures that the mix does not create a dry thin layer on top.
On a separate bowl, beat up the butter to a fluff using an electric beater.
Add the flour mix to the butter, 1 tbsp at a time and beat until mixed well. Repeat this till all the flour mix is added in.
The frosting is ready at this point. You can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to one week (Let it reach room temperature and whip it up before using)
Applying the frosting
Separate out 2 cups of the frosting for applying on the cupcake to represent snow
Add green food color to the rest of the frosting and mix. Repeat till you get the desired color for the tree.
Apply the white frosting on the cupcake as a thin layer as shown in video
Apply a thin layer of green frosting on the waffle cones and place the cones on the cupcakes
Put the green frosting in a piping bag (or a sandwich bag). Use a Closed Star tip (we used No. 5 star tip by Kitchwise) and pipe out the Christmas tree on the waffle cones.
Dust the Christmas Tree Cupcakes with powdered sugar