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Reindeer Cupcakes

These adorable Reindeer Cupcakes are a festive treat featuring a moist chocolate base topped with chocolate buttercream and decorated with pretzels and candies, perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cupcake Base
  • 12 pieces baked chocolate cupcakes, completely cooled Use homemade or store-bought
Frosting and Decorations
  • 1 batch chocolate buttercream or store bought chocolate frosting
  • 24 pieces mini pretzels for antlers
  • 24 pieces candy eyes or white chocolate chips with a dot of melted chocolate Use candy eyes for the cutest look
  • 12 pieces red candies for noses, such as red M&Ms or red jelly beans Optional: mini brown candies for a non Rudolph nose option
  • 1 tablespoon gold sanding sugar or chocolate sprinkles Optional sparkle for decoration

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Let cupcakes cool fully so the frosting does not melt.
  2. Fill your piping bag with chocolate frosting.
  3. Pipe a generous mound on each cupcake and smooth into a rounded dome.
Decoration
  1. Decorate each cupcake with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a red candy nose.
  2. For a classic dessert alongside, consider pairing with lemon pound cake.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients and avoid overmixing the batter. Chill frosted cupcakes for 10 minutes before decorating if your kitchen is warm.