Description
Enjoy making and sharing these adorable and delicious Festive Reindeer Cupcake Treats!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup warm water
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract for whipped cream
- Chocolate ganache (for topping)
- Fondant in various colors (brown, white, pink, black) for decorating
- Red candy balls (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with liners. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add egg, buttermilk, warm water, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream: In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
- Decorate with Ganache: Once the cupcakes are cool, spread a layer of chocolate ganache on top of each cupcake.
- Make the Reindeer Decorations: Roll out brown fondant and shape it into the reindeer’s head and antlers. Use white fondant for the muzzle and eyes, adding small black fondant pieces for the pupils. Create the inner ears with pink fondant and add them to the head. Place the reindeer decoration on top of the whipped cream.
- Final Assembly: Pipe the whipped cream onto the cupcake, on top of the ganache. Position the fondant reindeer head and antlers onto the whipped cream. Add red candy balls around the whipped cream as festive accents.
Notes
- Fondant Work: Keep your hands slightly moist when working with fondant to prevent it from sticking.
- Whipped Cream Stability: To ensure the whipped cream holds up, chill your mixing bowl and beaters before use.
- Flavor Variation: Add a touch of peppermint extract to the cupcake batter for a festive twist.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American