Reindeer Cupcakes - made with a homemade vanilla cupcake recipe, chocolate frosting and fun pretzel twists, these easy Christmas cupcakes are inspired by a classic Christmas movie.
Let me show you how to make these adorable Reindeer Desserts perfect for this time of year.
I have to be honest with you, I miss those days of sending in treats with the kids for classroom parties. It seems I was always baking when the kids were in grade school, not to mention when our son was on the football team.
Looking for more Christmas Snacks recipes? Try my Candy Cane Parfaits, Candy Cane Sugar Cookies, or my collection of Santa Reindeer Treats.
Table of Contents
- Reindeer Cupcakes with Pretzels
- Looking for MORE treats to make for Santa and his reindeer?
- Reindeer Cakes
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Directions
- Baking Tip
- Baking Instructions
- Homemade Chocolate Frosting
- Quick Tip
- Before You Begin!
- Storage Instructions
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Reindeer Cupcakes with Pretzels
Another fun idea for these reindeer cupcakes with pretzels would be to have the kids decorate their very own cupcake on Christmas Day.
It's always fun to have an activity of some sort for the kids to help with all the excitement of opening gifts and getting together with the cousins.
You could even bake the Reindeer Cookies recipe and have the kids decorate those as well.
Looking for MORE treats to make for Santa and his reindeer?
Check out my Santa's Treats Digital Cookbook. It's filled with 10 deliciously simple recipes for reindeer treats, cupcakes, pretzels, candies, and hot cocoa. They're perfect for spreading the joy of FOOD this holiday season!
Reindeer Cakes
This is a homemade vanilla cupcake recipe with an easy homemade chocolate frosting recipe. If you're pressed for time you can always substitute a boxed cake mix and a canned frosting.
However, you will be surprised at what a difference in taste there is with the homemade cupcakes and frosting.
How cute would this recipe be if you made little reindeer cakes? Or maybe used pre-packaged Swiss Cake Rolls and made those into reindeer cakes?
Helpful Kitchen Tools
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Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
- Not a fan of vanilla? Try these Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes that uses a cake mix.
- Or you could try my Christmas Cupcakes which is a delicious, moist homemade recipe.
- Can't find red M&M's? Try Red Hots candy!
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Start by creaming the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing well. Next, combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, mixing until a smooth batter forms.
Baking Tip
Spray the cupcake liners with non-stick cooking spray. This will help the baked cupcakes remove easily from the liners.
Baking Instructions
Step 2: Using a cookie scoop fill cupcake liners ⅔ of the way full.
Step 3: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the cupcakes for 20-25 minutes, then test with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan briefly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Homemade Chocolate Frosting
Step 4: Prepare the frosting in a large bowl by mixing the butter, cocoa, milk, and vanilla. Add the powdered sugar and mix well.
Quick Tip
If frosting is too dry, add a tablespoon or two of milk and mix. If it is too runny, add a small amount of powdered sugar. Repeat either of these until you reach the desired consistency for your frosting.
Step 5: Spread the frosting on the top of each cupcake using either a knife or an offset spatula. Or you can also use disposable decorating pastry bags fitted with a swirl type tip to get a more professional look to the cupcakes. To make your reindeer face, use two pretzel twists for antlers, candy eyes, and a red M&M for the nose.
Before You Begin!
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Storage Instructions
Refrigerate: Decorated cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Freezer: Want to enjoy your cupcakes later? Freezing is a great option! For best results, freeze them before you add any frosting or decorations. Simply place the cooled cupcakes in an airtight container. This way, they'll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Frosting and decorating after thawing helps maintain the texture and quality of your cupcakes.
Thaw: When ready to serve, remove the cupcakes from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours. Then decorate according to recipe card below.
More Recipes You'll Love!
Check out my other recipe for Hugs Pretzels with FREE Printable Gift Tags or Three Ingredient Oreo Truffles.
Or you might like this Rudolph Dessert Charcuterie Board.
📖 Recipe Card
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Easy Reindeer Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups of flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup milk
For the Frosting
- ⅓ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup cocoa
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 48 pretzel twists
- 24 red M&M's
- 48 candy eyes
Instructions
- How to Make the Cupcakes
- Preheat your oven to 350°F, and line your cupcake pan with cupcake wrappers.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients.
- Add dry ingredients slowly to wet ingredients being sure to mix completely between each addition.
- Stir in the milk and combine.
- Using a large cookie scoop, fill the cupcake liners ⅔ full.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Let cool in pan for a few minutes then remove the cupcakes to a cooling rack to cool completely before adding the frosting.
How to Make the Chocolate Frosting
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, combine the butter, cocoa, milk, and vanilla.
- Add the powdered sugar and mix well.
- If the frosting is too dry, add a tablespoon or two of milk and mix. If it is too runny, add a small amount of powdered sugar.
- Repeat either of these until you reach the desired consistency for your frosting.
How to Decorate the Cupcakes
- Spread the frosting on the top of each cupcake using either the back of a knife or an offset spatula.
- You can even use a pastry bag fitted with a decorative swirl tip.
- To make your reindeer face, use two pretzel twists for antlers, candy eyes, and red M&M's for the nose.
Notes
- Spray the paper muffin cups with non-stick cooking spray before adding the cupcake batter. This will help the baked cupcake not stick to the paper muffin cups.
- Make sure the cupcakes are cooled completely before adding the frosting or the frosting will begin to melt.
Scarlet says
These reindeer cupcakes are so cute and I love that they are so easy to decorate because they will be really fun to make wit my kids! What great classroom treats!
angie says
oh so super cute and easy enough can't ask for more during this whimsy time of year.
Wheely says
Cool and very useful recipes thanks for sharing with us.