Description
Easy Reindeer Cupcakes are festive chocolate cupcakes decorated with pretzels, candy eyes, and noses to resemble reindeer faces. Fun to make and perfect for the holidays, they’re a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot water or brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (for frosting)
- 2–3 tbsp milk or cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 24 mini pretzels
- 24 candy eyes
- 12 red or brown candies (M&M’s or similar)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla, then add to dry ingredients and mix.
- Stir in hot water or coffee until batter is smooth and thin.
- Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners and bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- To make frosting, beat softened butter until fluffy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- Add milk and vanilla, beating until smooth and spreadable.
- Frost each cupcake with a swirl of chocolate frosting using a piping bag or spatula.
- Decorate with two mini pretzels for antlers, two candy eyes, and a candy for the nose to create reindeer faces.
Notes
- Use red velvet or vanilla cupcakes for variety.
- Peanut butter or vanilla frosting makes a fun twist.
- Decorate just before serving to keep pretzels crisp.
- Great activity for kids to help decorate.
- Store decorated cupcakes in a container with lid ajar for the first hour to avoid soggy pretzels.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
