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reindeer cupcakes creative christmas

Reindeer Cupcakes

These adorable Reindeer Cupcakes are a festive holiday treat that combines delicious vanilla or chocolate cupcakes with charming Rudolph decorations pretzel antlers, red candy noses, and chocolate chip eyes. Perfect for parties, baking with kids, or spreading Christmas cheer.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling + Decorating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Christmas, Holiday
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Vanilla Cupcake Base
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
Optional Chocolate Base
  • ½ cup cocoa powder add to vanilla base to make chocolate version
Decoration
  • 1 batch chocolate frosting or vanilla buttercream for topping
  • 24 mini pretzels for antlers
  • 24 mini chocolate chips for eyes
  • 12 red candies (like M&Ms or jellybeans) for noses
  • sprinkles or edible glitter optional, for sparkle

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Cupcake tin
  • Paper liners
  • Piping bag and tip (optional)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
  2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt (and cocoa powder if using chocolate version). Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, ending with flour.
  4. Divide batter into cupcake liners and bake for 18–22 minutes. Let cool completely.
  5. Frost with chocolate or vanilla icing. Decorate each with two mini pretzels for antlers, two chocolate chips for eyes, and a red candy for the nose. Add sprinkles or glitter if desired.

Notes

Tip: Store undecorated cupcakes up to 2 days at room temp or freeze for longer. Decorate just before serving to keep pretzels crisp. Let kids help with decorating for a fun holiday activity!