Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these adorable and easy-to-make Easy Reindeer Cupcakes. Moist chocolate cupcakes topped with creamy chocolate frosting are decorated with pretzels for antlers, candy eyes, and a red candy nose to resemble festive reindeers. Perfect for holiday parties and a fun treat for kids.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as called for on the box)
Frosting and Decorations
- 1 tub chocolate frosting
- 24 mini pretzels
- 12 red candy-coated chocolates (like M&M’s)
- 24 candy eyes
- Optional cupcake liners
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven according to the cake mix package instructions to ensure even baking temperature for the cupcakes.
- Prepare Muffin Tin: Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners to make removal and cleanup easier, or lightly grease the tin if you prefer not to use liners.
- Mix Batter: Prepare the chocolate cake batter as directed on the box, combining the cake mix with eggs, oil, and water as instructed until smooth and well-mixed.
- Fill Cups: Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with the batter to allow space for rising during baking.
- Bake: Bake according to the package instructions, usually 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the cupcakes are fully cooked.
- Cool Cupcakes: Remove cupcakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack to prevent frosting from melting when applied.
- Frost Cupcakes: Once cooled, spread a generous layer of chocolate frosting over the top of each cupcake using a spatula or knife for even coverage.
- Decorate as Reindeer: Press two mini pretzels into the top sides of each cupcake to resemble antlers, place two candy eyes below the antlers, and finish with one red candy placed just below the eyes to create a reindeer nose.
- Serve and Enjoy: Arrange your decorated reindeer cupcakes on a platter and serve at your holiday gathering for a festive treat everyone will love.
Notes
- You can use homemade chocolate cupcakes and frosting if preferred for a more personalized touch.
- Swap red candy noses with brown ones to create a variety of reindeer looks and add fun diversity.
- Store decorated cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
