Hey there, friend! Clara here, ready to sprinkle a little holiday magic into your kitchen. I know how hectic things can get this time of year, so I’ve got just the thing: Easy Reindeer Cupcakes! These adorable treats are a total game-changer for busy moms and families. From start to finish, you’ll be done in about 45 minutes, and trust me, the smiles on your loved ones’ faces will be worth every second. Let’s whip up some festive fun together!
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Easy Reindeer Cupcakes
- Quick and easy to decorate, perfect for getting the kids involved.
- Uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
- A guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any Christmas party or holiday gathering – perhaps even alongside some Dazzling Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie.
Easy Reindeer Cupcakes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, oil, vanilla, milk, and sour cream until smooth.
- Sift cake mix, then add to wet mixture. Stir until just combined.
- Fill liners 3/4 full and bake 16-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- For frosting: beat butter, then add cocoa, powdered sugar, and milk until creamy.
- Frost each cupcake generously.
- Decorate: Attach brown (or red) M&M noses to Nilla wafers with a dab of frosting. Pipe/make candy eyes. Place face and pretzel antlers onto each cupcake. Get creative!
Notes
Ingredients for Easy Reindeer Cupcakes
- 1 box devil’s food cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 C. oil
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 C. milk or buttermilk
- 1/2 C. sour cream
- 1 C. butter
- 1/3 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2-3 C. powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp. milk
Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Reindeer Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pans with cupcake liners. This small step makes a big difference.
- Sift cake mix into a small bowl and set aside. No need to be perfect; we just want to remove any lumps.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, oil, vanilla extract, milk and sour cream until smooth. Give it a good whisk, you’re doing great!
- Stir in cake mix. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing for the fluffiest cupcakes.
- Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake for 16-20 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean. Keep a close eye; ovens vary.
- Let cool completely. Patience is key here; warm cupcakes + frosting = a melty mess.
- Chocolate frosting: Beat butter. Add cocoa powder, 2 C. powdered sugar and milk. Slowly add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. Taste as you go, it’s the cook’s privilege!
- Prep reindeer “faces” by using frosting to stick brown M&M’s on Nilla Wafers (some red for Rudolphs if you want). Melt down a few chocolate chips, put in a small plastic bag, snip off the tip to make a mini piping bag and “dot” little eyeballs on the white M&M’s to make eyes. Get creative with your reindeer faces!
- Frost cupcakes. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth; the reindeer faces will hide any imperfections.
- (See photos below) Place Nilla wafers with M&M’s on cupcakes, then place pretzels above. Use a little frosting to stick on 2 eyes and there you go! Aren’t they the cutest?
Tips for Making the Best Easy Reindeer Cupcakes
- To avoid dry cupcakes, don’t overbake them; start checking for doneness at 16 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- If your pretzels break easily, try microwaving them for a few seconds to make them more pliable. This will help them bend without snapping.
- Use a dab of melted chocolate to secure the candy eyes and nose for extra staying power. Those little details can be tricky!
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent a melty mess. Trust me, patience is a virtue here.
- Don’t be afraid to get creative with your decorating; the more unique, the better!
Recipe Variations for Your Reindeer Cupcakes
| Variation | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Cupcake Base | Vanilla, red velvet, or spice cake mix |
| Frosting | Store-bought frosting (chocolate, vanilla, or peppermint), cream cheese frosting. |
| Dietary (Vegan) | Use a vegan cake mix, egg replacer, and dairy-free frosting. |
| Dietary (Gluten-Free) | Use a gluten-free cake mix. |
Making Easy Reindeer Cupcakes Ahead of Time & Storage Tips
You can definitely get a head start on these cuties! Bake the cupcakes up to 2 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. I recommend frosting and decorating them the day you plan to serve them for the freshest look.
I don’t recommend freezing the decorated cupcakes, as the frosting and decorations can get a bit wonky upon thawing. However, you can freeze the plain baked cupcakes for up to 2 months. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw completely before frosting. Leftover cupcakes should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought frosting? Which flavors work best?
Absolutely! Store-bought frosting is a lifesaver. Chocolate, vanilla, and peppermint flavors all work wonderfully with the devil’s food cake.
What to do if the pretzels break when trying to make antlers?
Gently microwave the pretzels for a few seconds to make them more pliable. You can also try using mini pretzel sticks as an alternative.
Alternative antler ideas?
If you’re not a fan of pretzels, try using chocolate-covered pretzels, candy canes broken into small pieces, or even chocolate shavings.
How far in advance can I make the cupcakes?
You can bake the cupcakes up to 2 days in advance. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I freeze the decorated cupcakes?
I don’t recommend it, as the decorations might not hold up well. But you can freeze the plain cupcakes for up to 2 months!
Why are my cupcakes dry?
Overbaking is the main culprit. Start checking for doneness at 16 minutes and avoid overmixing the batter.
Why did my cupcakes sink in the middle?
This can happen if the oven temperature is too high or if you open the oven door too often during baking. Make sure your oven is properly calibrated and resist the urge to peek!
How to keep the candy eyes and nose from falling off?
A small dab of melted chocolate acts like super glue! It’s the best way to secure those little details.
Conclusion
See? I told you these Easy Reindeer Cupcakes were a breeze! I hope you and your family have a blast making (and eating!) them this holiday season. Remember, cooking should be fun, so don’t stress about perfection. Now, I’d love to hear from you! What variations did you try? Did your kids enjoy decorating them? Leave a comment below with your questions, share your results, or suggest your own creative ideas! Happy baking, friends!
