Introduction
Bring holiday cheer straight to your dessert table with these adorable Reindeer Cupcakes! 🎄✨
Moist chocolate cupcakes topped with creamy frosting and decorated with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and red noses — these treats are as cute as they are delicious.
They’re a hit with kids and adults alike, and they make the perfect centerpiece for any Christmas party or cozy baking day at home. 🎅💫
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes 🧁
- 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Frosting 🍫
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups (300 g) powdered sugar
- ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Decoration 🎀
- Mini pretzels (for antlers)
- Candy eyes
- Red M&M’s (for Rudolph noses!)
- Optional: white chocolate chips, sprinkles, or edible glitter
Timing ⏰
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Bake Time: 20 minutes
- Decorating Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: ~55 minutes
➡️ Under an hour to make these magical, merry cupcakes! 🎅
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
Step 2: Make the Cupcake Batter
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk sugars, oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients — mix just until combined (don’t overmix).
- Divide batter evenly into liners (about ¾ full).
Step 3: Bake
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
Step 4: Make the Frosting
- Beat butter until fluffy (2–3 minutes).
- Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder gradually.
- Add milk and vanilla, and beat until smooth and creamy.
- If too thick, add a bit more milk; if too thin, add more sugar.
Pro Tip: Use a large piping bag fitted with a round or star tip for a neat swirl of frosting.
Step 5: Decorate Like a Reindeer! 🦌
- Frost each cupcake generously.
- Add candy eyes near the top.
- Press a red M&M in the center for the nose (Rudolph-style!).
- Break mini pretzels in half and stick them into the top for antlers.
- Add sprinkles or shimmer for an extra festive touch.
Creative Twist: Use brown M&M’s for the rest of the herd and one red one for Rudolph!
Nutritional Information (Per Cupcake)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 370 kcal |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Sugar | 34 g |
| Sodium | 160 mg |
Note: These cupcakes are a treat for the holidays — sweet, fun, and perfectly portioned for sharing.
Variations & Ideas 🎂
- Chocolate Peppermint Reindeer: Add ½ tsp peppermint extract to the frosting.
- Salted Caramel Twist: Drizzle caramel sauce over the frosting before adding decorations.
- Vanilla Base: Use vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting for contrast.
- Mini Version: Make bite-sized reindeer cupcakes for party trays.
Storage 🧊
- Room Temperature: 1–2 days covered.
- Refrigerator: Up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes up to 2 months; thaw before decorating.
Tip: Decorate just before serving to keep pretzels crunchy!
Conclusion
Whimsical, delicious, and full of festive spirit — these Reindeer Cupcakes are guaranteed to steal the show this Christmas. 🎄🦌
Soft chocolate cake, creamy frosting, and adorable toppings make them a joyful treat for bakers of all ages.
So grab your mixing bowl, some candy eyes, and a little holiday magic — it’s time to bake the cutest cupcakes ever! ❤️
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