Description
These Easy Reindeer Cupcakes are a festive and fun holiday treat perfect for Christmas celebrations. Made with a moist chocolate cake base, topped with rich chocolate frosting, and decorated with mini pretzels, candy eyes, and red chocolate candies to resemble adorable reindeer faces, they are sure to delight kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box: eggs, oil, water)
Frosting and Decorations
- 1 can chocolate frosting
- 24 mini pretzels
- 24 candy eyes
- 12 red chocolate candies (like M&M’s)
- 12 cupcake liners
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) or follow the temperature stated on your cake mix box. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Make Cake Batter: Prepare the chocolate cake batter according to the instructions on the cake mix box, combining eggs, oil, water, and mix until smooth.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Pour the cake batter into each cupcake liner, filling them about two-thirds full to allow room for rising during baking.
- Bake Cupcakes: Bake the cupcakes for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, following package timing closely.
- Cool Cupcakes: Remove cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan or on a cooling rack to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Frost Cupcakes: Once cooled, evenly frost each cupcake with chocolate frosting, spreading a generous layer on top.
- Decorate as Reindeer: Break mini pretzels in half and insert two halves at the top of each cupcake to resemble antlers. Place two candy eyes below the pretzels for the eyes. Add one red chocolate candy beneath the eyes to create the reindeer’s nose.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your festive reindeer cupcakes are now ready to serve and enjoy at any holiday gathering!
Notes
- You can use homemade chocolate cake and frosting if preferred for a more personalized touch.
- If candy eyes are unavailable, white chocolate chips with small dots of melted chocolate make an excellent substitute.
