Reindeer Cupcakes

Reindeer cupcakes are the ultimate crowd-pleaser for Christmas parties, school events, or cozy baking days with the kids. With a moist chocolate base, rich homemade frosting, and playful toppings like pretzels and candy eyes, these cupcakes bring Rudolph to life in the most delicious way. The best part? They’re easy enough for little hands to help with, and festive enough to impress even the grumpiest Grinch. Whether you’re hosting a holiday bash or just want a cute baking project, these reindeer cupcakes are your ticket to instant Christmas cheer.

🎄 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

this recipe

• 🧁 Box Mix Shortcut: Deliciously simple using Devil’s food cake mix
• 🎯 Kid-Friendly Assembly: Great holiday project for little helpers
• ❤️ No Fail Decorating: Easy materials like M&M’s and mini pretzels
• 🦌 Custom Rudolph Option: Make red-nosed reindeer with a simple swap
• 🎁 Perfect for Parties: Cute, transportable, and guaranteed to get compliments

🧁 Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cupcakes

• 1 box Devil’s food cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk or buttermilk
• ½ cup sour cream

For the Chocolate Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2–3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk (plus more if needed)

For Decoration

• Mini pretzels (for antlers)
• Nilla Wafers (for muzzles)
• Brown M&M’s (noses)
• Red M&M’s (for Rudolph noses)
• White M&M’s (for eyes)
• Melted chocolate or chocolate chips (to dot eyes)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Bake the Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cupcake pans with liners.
2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, vanilla, milk, and sour cream until smooth.
3. Stir in the dry cake mix until fully combined.
4. Fill liners ¾ full and bake for 16–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Let cupcakes cool completely before decorating.

Step 2: Make the Frosting

1. In a large bowl, beat softened butter until light and fluffy.
2. Add cocoa powder and 2 cups powdered sugar. Beat to combine.
3. Add milk and continue mixing. Add remaining powdered sugar as needed to reach spreadable consistency.

Step 3: Prep the Reindeer Faces

1. Use a dab of frosting to attach a brown or red M&M to each Nilla Wafer “muzzle.”
2. Melt a few chocolate chips and place in a small bag. Snip a tiny corner and dot the white M&M’s to create “eyes.”

Step 4: Decorate!

1. Frost each cupcake generously with chocolate buttercream.
2. Gently press one Nilla Wafer muzzle into the lower center.
3. Add two pretzels above the wafer as antlers.
4. Place the candy eyes just above the wafer using a bit of frosting to help them stick.

📋 Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 20–24 cupcakes
• Skill Level: Easy
• Category: Dessert, Cupcakes, Christmas
• Cuisine: American

🍫 Nutrition Facts (Per Cupcake – Estimated)

• Calories: ~290
• Fat: 16g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Sugar: 26g
• Protein: 2g
• Sodium: 180mg

💡 Tips & Variations

• 🦌 All Rudolphs: Want a herd of Rudolphs? Use only red M&M’s for the noses.
• 🍬 Buy Candy Eyes: Skip DIY and use store-bought eyes for faster decorating.
• 🧊 Make Ahead: Bake cupcakes a day ahead and frost right before serving.
• 🍪 Use Mini Wafers: For smaller cupcakes, opt for mini Nilla Wafers.
• 🎨 Get Creative: Add little scarves with fruit roll-ups or sprinkle “snow” with powdered sugar!

❓ FAQs

Can I use another cake mix flavor?
Yes! Chocolate is traditional, but vanilla or red velvet work great too.

Can I freeze reindeer cupcakes?
Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months. Add decorations after thawing for best results.

How do I keep pretzels from getting soggy?
Assemble cupcakes the same day you’ll serve them to keep pretzels crisp.

Reindeer Cupcakes

Cute and easy reindeer cupcakes with a moist chocolate base and playful candy decorations. Perfect for Christmas parties and kid-friendly baking!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 24

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 310

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• **Cupcakes:**
• – 1 box Devil’s food cake mix
• – 3 large eggs
• – ½ cup vegetable oil
• – 2 tsp vanilla extract
• – 1 cup milk or buttermilk
• – ½ cup sour cream
• **Chocolate Frosting:**
• – 1 cup butter
• – ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• – 2–3 cups powdered sugar
• – 2 tbsp milk
• **Decorations:**
• – Mini pretzels
• – Nilla Wafers
• – Brown and red M&M’s
• – White M&M’s
• – Chocolate chips melted

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• – Piping bag (optional)

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pans.
2. Mix eggs, oil, vanilla, milk, and sour cream. Add cake mix and combine.
3. Fill liners ¾ full. Bake 16–20 minutes. Cool.
4. Beat butter. Add cocoa and powdered sugar. Mix in milk. Adjust consistency.
5. Use frosting to attach M&M noses to wafers. Dot chocolate on white M&M’s for eyes.
6. Frost cupcakes. Add wafer muzzle, pretzels for antlers, and candy eyes.

Notes

– Assemble the same day for best pretzel texture.
– Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.

🎉 Conclusion

These reindeer cupcakes are as fun to make as they are to eat! Whether you bake with kids, friends, or solo, you’ll end up with a batch of sweet, silly, and totally festive treats. Bring them to your next cookie exchange, classroom party, or serve them up on Christmas Eve with hot cocoa. And don’t forget to save one for Santa!