This holiday season, wow your guests with a festive and unique cupcake cake! This Reindeer Cupcake Cake or pull-apart dessert is actually quite simple to make, and only requires a few basic ingredients.
It's made to look like a sheet cake on top but is made with individual sized cupcakes, decorated and arranged in the shape of everyone's favorite...Rudolph!
Your guests will be amazed at your creativity - and deliciousness!
Check out all the other reindeer dessert ideas for even more fun ways to celebrate the holidays this year!
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This Reindeer Cupcake Cake is SO easy! Just pull apart the cupcakes – no slicing needed! I used store-bought cupcakes to make it even simpler, but feel free to bake your own. Either way, this easy dessert is perfect for your holiday gathering!
Check out my Reindeer Cake Ideas for more fun ways to create a special cake for Santa! And if you're looking for more pull-apart cupcake ideas check out my Patriotic Cupcake Cake or Christmas Pull Apart Cupcakes recipes!
Table of Contents
- Printable step-by-step cupcake recipes
- What is a Cupcake Cake?
- How to make a Pull Apart Cupcake Cake?
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Recipe Ingredients Needed
- Recipe Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- How to Fill a Piping Bag
- How to Frost a Cupcake Cake
- Top Recipe Tips
- How to Decorate a Cupcake Cake
- Before You Begin!
- Recipe FAQ's
- Storing Tips
- More Reindeer Recipes to LOVE
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Printable step-by-step cupcake recipes
For this cupcake cake recipe, I have a printable diagram that shows you how to arrange the cupcakes to create the perfect reindeer. Fill out the form below and you'll be able to download and print one for free.
What is a Cupcake Cake?
A pull-apart cupcake cake is an arrangement of cupcakes made to look like one large cake.
There is no need to slice the cake. Your guests simply reach for a cupcake and "pull it apart" from the cake. It's a fun way to bake and serve a cake. Kids and adults love them!
How to make a Pull Apart Cupcake Cake?
- Start by baking two dozen cupcakes, using your favorite recipe or box mix.
- Once they are cooled, use a serrated knife to trim the tops off of the cupcakes, creating a flat surface.
- Next, arrange the cupcakes in the shape of a reindeer.
- Once you are happy with the placement of the cupcakes, frost them with brown or chocolate icing.
- Finally, decorate the reindeer with candy eyes and a red nose, and you're done!
Looking for MORE holiday treats? Try my 15 Santa Reindeer Treats,
Reindeer Pretzels or my Reindeer Cookies.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
To put this reindeer cupcake cake together, you do need a few accessories:
- Cake Board or large cutting board
- Parchment paper
- Disposable frosting bag with tips. I used a 2D tip. You could also use a 1M tip.
- Cake Box - if you have to transport your cake to another location, using a cake box is great to help the cake not get damaged.
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Recipe Ingredients Needed
Recipe Variations
- Go Bigger - use full-sized cupcakes! Just be aware that the reindeer cupcake cake will much larger than the one I have created.
- Homemade Cupcakes - make your favorite cupcake recipe instead of using store-bought cupcakes as I did with this recipe.
- Muffins - you can also make this recipe using your favorite muffin recipe.
- Santa Cupcake Cake - make a Santa face shape instead of a reindeer.
- You could also put together cute Bridal Shower Cupcakes to celebrate a different occasion.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: First, sign up for my newsletter to download the template! Then, arrange your cupcakes according to the design. (Psst… I used store-bought cupcakes and simply re-frosted them with chocolate frosting for an easy shortcut!) But, if you decide to bake cupcakes for this recipe, they need to be completely cooled before adding the frosting.
How to Fill a Piping Bag
Prep the bag: Push the tip all the way into the piping bag, but don't cut the bag yet. Place the bag in a tall glass and fold the top over the rim.
Fill it up: Spoon frosting into the bag (no more than ⅔ full). Take the bag out of the glass, push the frosting down, and twist the top.
Snip and squeeze: Cut the tip of the bag and start piping!
How to Frost a Cupcake Cake
Step 2: Pipe a swirl of frosting onto each cupcake, then connect them by piping frosting between each one. Fill any gaps with extra frosting for a seamless look.
Top Recipe Tips
- Make sure the cupcakes are the same size in height.
- Measure out the exact amount when filling the cupcake pan with cake batter.
- If you notice some are different heights, use a serrated knife to make them all the same height.
How to Decorate a Cupcake Cake
Step 3: Time to make the Rudolph's nose! Smooth some red frosting onto the bottom center cupcake (I used a knife to get it nice and even). Then, add eyes – I used craft eyes, but candy eyes would work great too!
Before You Begin!
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Recipe FAQ's
Forget ordinary cakes! Pull-apart cakes (also called cupcake cakes) are where it's at. They're made by arranging cupcakes to create awesome shapes and designs, like animals or numbers.
To transport cupcakes safely, use a sturdy container with inserts or a non-slip liner and pack them carefully to prevent movement. Drive gently and consider transporting them unfrosted if it's a long distance or hot outside.
Storing Tips
Refrigerator: Store the cake as you would other baked goods with frosting in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, however, I think it tastes best served the day you prepare the cake.
Freezer: For best results, freeze them unfrosted. Line a baking sheet with wax paper, arrange cupcakes with space between them, and freeze for at least two hours. Transfer to a freezer-safe container, squeezing out excess air.
Thawing: Allow the cupcakes to thaw at room temperature for about an hour. Once they are defrosted, decorate and serve!
More Reindeer Recipes to LOVE
📖 Recipe Card
Reindeer Cupcake Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 29 mini cupcakes; store-bought
- 3 cups frosting
- 1 tablespoon red frosting
- 2 candy eyes
Method
- Arrange the cupcakes in the shape on the template.
- Fill the piping bag with the chocolate frosting.
- Pipe frosting onto each cupcake in a swirled pattern.
- Connect each cupcake with the one next to it with frosting.
- If you notice gaps in between cupcakes, simply pipe over them with frosting.
- Spread red frosting on the bottom cupcake for the nose.
- Add the candy eyes.
- Refrigerate untiul ready to serve.
Nutrition
Notes
- If you are using homemade cupcakes, you need to make sure the cupcakes are the same size in height.
- Measure out the exact amount when filling the cupcake pan with cake batter.
- If you notice some are different heights, use a serrated knife to make them all even.
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