Description
Rudolph the Reindeer Cupcakes bring holiday cheer with whimsical charm, delighting both kids and adults. Christmas spirit sparkles through these playful treats you can easily create, spreading joy with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups (155 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) boiling water
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting and Decorative Ingredients:
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) powdered sugar
- ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
- 23 tablespoons (3045 milliliters) milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Mini pretzels
- Candy eyes
- Red candy-coated chocolates
- Mini marshmallows (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to a moderate temperature and prepare a muffin tin with decorative liners.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, thoroughly cream butter with both sugars until the mixture becomes light and airy.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the sugar mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then fold in vanilla extract.
- Gradually blend dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk and creating a smooth, consistent batter. Introduce boiling water, which will create a delicate, thin consistency.
- Distribute batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling approximately two-thirds of each compartment.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 18-20 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.
- Prepare chocolate frosting by whipping butter until creamy, then gradually incorporating powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- Smooth milk and vanilla into the frosting mixture, blending until achieving a fluffy, spreadable texture.
- Generously cover each cooled cupcake with chocolate frosting.
- Craft reindeer features by positioning pretzel pieces as antlers, positioning candy eyes, and adding a vibrant red candy nose.
- Arrange decorated cupcakes on a festive serving platter, ready to delight holiday guests.
Notes
- Choose high-quality cocoa powder for richer chocolate flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the cupcakes.
- Ensure ingredients like butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better texture.
- When adding boiling water, mix gently to prevent overmixing, which can make cupcakes tough and dense.
- For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg