2 Dozen Reindeer!

And a Cream Cheese Bonanza Caaaake! ~ (day 1 🙂 )

Today is the second day of my baking adventure and this recipe was inspired by my step mom.  She found a picture of cute reindeer cupcakes so I had to replicate!  This is the perfect chocolate lovers treat! Both cake and frosting are made of delicious chocolate topped with the sweet and salty toppings.  The batter will yield about 30 cupcakes.  By the time we finished, only 2 dozen make it to the decorating step… the rest got eaten!

Chocolate Cake Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1  3/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1  1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1  1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2-3 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

Chocolate Frosting Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 3 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1-2 tsp. vanilla

Decorations

• Mini pretzels
• Small bag of mint M&Ms, so you will have white and red
• Box of Nilla wafers
• Black decorating gel/marker/etc (for eyes)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees on the convection setting (my preference).  Line cupcake tin and lightly spray with cooking spray.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in Willow (my KitchenAid mixer).
3. Add eggs, oil, milk and vanilla and beat until smooth.
4. Stir in boiling water on low speed.  This will make the batter really smooth.  Consistency of chocolate milk.
5. Divide among cupcake tins.
6. Bake 20-25 minutes (I did 24). Remove with the cupcakes pass the toothpick test.

For the Frosting: combine all ingredients in the mixer and beat until fluffy.

For the Decor: Frost with chocolate frosting then add a nilla wafer.  Next add the pretzels.  Use some frosting as glue to secure the eyes and nose.  Use the black gel coloring to paint eyes on the cupcake.

Then you’re done!  Reindeer Cupcakes mastered!

And remember, never leave the kitchen with a clean apron!

Today, Willow (my KitchenAid) joins in on the adventure.  This recipe is really simple.  Below are some picture of the process.

When you add the boiling water, the batter will get really thin.  This is normal. I lightly spray the paper liners with cooking spray.  Fill each one about 2/3 full.  Baking times may vary so pay close attention so you don’t over cook.

This is the fun part… step 1 – frost each cupcake.  Step 2 – add nilla wafer. step 3 – add pretzel antlers.  step 4 – add white eyes (use frosting as glue).  step 6 – add red nose and black spots for the eyes.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Cupcakes!!

Sometimes a great recipe needs a glass of wine!  Cheers!!