Description
Rudolph the reindeer cupcakes bring festive cheer to holiday celebrations. Chocolate cupcakes topped with red noses and antler details delight children and adults alike with their whimsical Christmas spirit.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups (155 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) boiling water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) powdered sugar
- ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
- 23 tbsps (3045 ml) milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- mini pretzels
- candy eyes
- red candy-coated chocolates
- mini marshmallows (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Position oven rack in the center at 350°F and line muffin tin with festive cupcake liners.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until uniformly combined.
- Butter Transformation: Cream butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy, creating a light base for the cupcakes.
- Wet Ingredient Integration: Gently fold eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, then incorporate vanilla extract, ensuring a smooth and well-blended consistency.
- Batter Harmonization: Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Introduce boiling water to create a silky, thin batter that promises tender cupcakes.
- Baking Process: Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full with batter and bake for 18-20 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into the center.
- Frosting Creation: Whip butter until creamy, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Smooth in milk and vanilla, blending until the frosting reaches a light, spreadable consistency.
- Decorative Assembly: Once cupcakes cool completely, generously frost each with chocolate frosting, creating a smooth surface for reindeer embellishments.
- Reindeer Transformation: Artfully position pretzel pieces as antlers, place candy eyes, and add a bright red candy nose to bring Rudolph to life on each cupcake.
- Presentation: Arrange the whimsical reindeer cupcakes on a festive platter, ready to enchant holiday guests with their playful design and rich chocolate flavor.
Notes
- Master Moisture Control: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth, even batter that prevents dry or dense cupcakes.
- Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold ingredients together to maintain a light, tender crumb and avoid tough, rubbery texture.
- Temperature Trick: Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure clean, crisp decorations.
- Dietary Adaptation: Substitute gluten-free flour and dairy-free alternatives for those with dietary restrictions while maintaining the recipe’s delightful flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg