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reindeer cupcakes

Reindeer Cupcakes

Adorable chocolate reindeer cupcakes topped with candy eyes, pretzel antlers, and red noses. Perfect for Christmas parties and kid-friendly baking!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 23
Calories 310 kcal

Equipment

  • - Muffin tin & liners
  • - Mixing bowls
  • - Hand or stand mixer
  • - Piping bag or spatula

Ingredients
  

  • **Chocolate Cupcakes:**
  • - 1 box Devil’s food cake mix
  • - 3 eggs
  • - ½ cup vegetable oil
  • - 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • - 1 cup milk or buttermilk
  • - ½ cup sour cream
  • **Chocolate Frosting:**
  • - 1 cup unsalted butter
  • - ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • - 2–3 cups powdered sugar
  • - 2 tbsp milk
  • - Pinch of salt optional
  • **Toppings:**
  • - Mini pretzels antlers
  • - Nilla Wafers muzzles
  • - Brown & red M&M’s noses
  • - White M&M’s or candy eyes
  • - Melted chocolate for pupils

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and line cupcake pan.
  • Mix wet ingredients. Stir in cake mix until smooth.
  • Fill liners ¾ full. Bake 16–20 min. Let cool.
  • For frosting: beat butter, cocoa, sugar, and milk until fluffy.
  • Frost cupcakes. Add Nilla Wafer + M&M for muzzle.
  • Place candy eyes and pretzels on top for antlers.

Notes

- Candy eyes can be bought or made with white M&M’s and melted chocolate.
- Store decorated cupcakes uncovered if using pretzels.
- Makes ~20–24 cupcakes.
Keyword reindeer cupcakes