These chocolate reindeer cupcakes combine a tender, moist chocolate cupcake, rich buttercream frosting, and pretzels to create a cupcake that's as festive as it is delicious.

When the holidays roll around, I love to make decorated treats. They're perfect for kids' holiday parties, potlucks and gatherings, and of course, family get-togethers! It's always so much fun to bring festive, delicious treats that make the holiday so much more joyous.

Growing up, one of my favorite desserts that my mom made was chocolate cupcakes. I couldn't get enough of them. When I decided to make reindeer cupcakes, I knew the flavor and color of chocolate were the way to go, and I was so right.

Delicious Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes

Just like regular chocolate cake, these chocolate cupcakes combine simple ingredients to create deep, rich chocolate flavor. It's a recipe that is definitely greater than the sum of its parts when it comes to flavor.

The buttercream frosting added to the top has all the rich, sweet flavor that we love about buttercream frosting. I just color it to look like a reindeer with brown food coloring. After that, I just add some pretzels for antlers, and *poof* I have reindeer cupcakes.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• They're so festive. They're absolutely adorable and perfect for any holiday gathering.
• They feature deep chocolate flavor and rich buttercream frosting.
• Simple ingredients: They're made with simple ingredients that are probably in your kitchen right now.

Ingredients

This recipe only uses simple ingredients that are easily found at your local grocery store. Most of them are baking staples, so you might not have to buy much at all.

• Cocoa Powder: The only way to get real, true chocolate flavor in your baked goods.
• Boiling Water: Makes your cupcakes moister and more tender.
• Sour Cream: Adds extra flavor and moisture to the cupcakes.
• Brown Food Coloring: To make your buttercream more "reindeer-y".
• Pretzels, Red Frosting, and Black Frosting: To make the antlers, nose, and eyes.

The full ingredient list complete with quantities is in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes

This is a very simple recipe that even beginners can make easily. We're covering the broad strokes here, but you can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

1. Cream the butter, sugar, and eggs. Then, add the cocoa powder and boiling water. Finally, add flour and baking soda, beat, and add sour cream, beating again.

2. Transfer batter into cupcake liners, and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

3: Combine the buttercream frosting ingredients and beat until thick and creamy.

Step 4: Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes and add pretzels, and frosting to make the antlers and face.

Substitutions and Variations

• Your Favorite Cake Recipe: Use your favorite flavor of cake for this recipe.
• Your Favorite Frosting: Flavor your frosting or use your favorite kind of frosting.
• Box Cake Mix: Use a box cake mix for an even easier recipe.
• Premade Frosting: Use premade frosting if you like.

What to Serve with Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes

These delicious cupcakes are perfect for bringing to any holiday gathering. Try pairing them up with other sweet treats like the German Christmas sugar cookies, this Christmas tree cake, or this easy Christmas punch.

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Piping bag

Storage

Countertop: These cupcakes will last for a couple of days at room temperature in a covered container.

Refrigerator: Store these in an air-tight container for up to a week.

Freezer: These will last for up to 3 months in the freezer in an air-tight, freezer-safe container.

Defrosting: Place the cupcakes in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.

Tips:

• Fully soften your butter or you'll end up with raw chunks of butter in the batter and frosting.
• Don't overfill your cupcake tin. You want the cupcakes to rise just a bit, not look like muffins.
• Always fully cool your cupcakes before frosting them or the frosting will slide off.

FAQ

More Chocolate Recipes You'll Love