This easy and adorable Reindeer Cupcakes Recipe will bring a little cuteness to your holidays! A delicious Christmas cupcake that's super easy to make! With a red nose, they are Rudolph Cupcakes! See the video below.
There are so many cute Christmas treat ideas! Try Marshmallow Reindeer, salty-sweet Reese's Reindeer, or Easy Christmas Tree Brownies!
Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes are one of our favorite treats to make during this festive time of year. They're a holiday baking tradition.
Well, these and Christmas Tree Brownies.
Bring these Reindeer Cupcakes with Pretzels to your holiday party and watch them disappear! People love the salty-sweet combo! They are definitely Pinterest-worthy!
They are also a fun activity for kids on cold winter days. How could these not make you happy? Here's a Reindeer Craft if you need more fun activities.
Note: There are similar reindeer recipes that use a cake mix instead of brownies, but we prefer to have a substantial base of the brownie to work with and the rich chocolate yumminess.
You can certainly substitute a cake recipe for these Rudolph cupcakes if you prefer.
Table of Contents
Reindeer Cupcakes Supplies
You can use a boxed brownie or cake mix in this recipe. You can also use homemade or store-bought chocolate frosting. Whatever is most convenient.
Reindeer Cupcake Ingredients
Again, you could use any brownie or cake mix for this recipe.
- Homemade brownies or boxed brownies
- Mini Nilla Wafers - for the muzzle.
- Mini pretzel twists - for the salty goodness!
- Chocolate frosting - any kind, homemade or store-bought, will do.
- Candy eyes - to create the cute little face.
- Brown and red M&Ms - they are the perfect size and shape!
Other Supplies
How to Make Reindeer Cupcakes
Make your brownies or chocolate cake for your base as you normally would. Make sure to bake them in a cupcake pan using whatever cupcake liner
Once out of the oven, let the brownies cool completely before frosting and decorating them into adorable reindeer.
How To Decorate
After you frost each brownie/cupcake with the chocolate frosting, you are ready to start adding your toppings to make your reindeer treat come to life.
Step 1 - The Muzzle
Start with your mini Nilla Wafer for the muzzle. Place it towards the bottom edge of your cupcake.
Step 2 - The Antlers
Next, add your mini pretzels for antlers. Place them at the top of the cupcake.
Step 3 - Add Candy Eyes
Now, add your candy eyes just above the muzzle. These should stay put just fine in the frosting.
Step 4 - Add a Nose
Now, finish your reindeer off with a brown or red candy nose. Attache it with a bit of frosting to hold it in place.
More Christmas Treats
- Marshmallow Reindeer - cute as can be and so simple to make.
- Reese's Reindeer - an easy recipe that's perfect for taking to a holiday party.
- Brownie Christmas Trees - always a standout on a Christmas dessert table.
- Reindeer Chow - an addictive recipe you'll want to make all season long or leave out for Santa.
- Christmas Fruit Kabobs - a healthier option during the Christmas season.
- Rolo Pretzel Reindeer - an easy candy with a perfect salty and sweet combo!
How to Store
Store your finished Reindeer Christmas Cupcakes in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Tips for Making Christmas Cupcakes
- We like using mini Vanilla Wafers, but you can also use regular-size if that's what you can find at the store.
- You can use any red, round candy for the nose to make them Rudolph cupcakes.
Hmmm, how will you and your little reindeer treats celebrate the season?
Holiday office party?
Girl's bunco night?
Kid's craft party?
You decide and let us know!
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Reindeer Cupcakes Recipe
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- Spatula or cooking spoon
- cupcake pan
- cupcake liners
Ingredients
- 1 box Brownie Recipe (or cake mix)
- 1 container Chocolate Frosting
- 12 Nilla Wafers ((for muzzle))
- White Mint Candies or Candy Eyeballs
- Brown M&M's ((and a few red for Rudolph))
- 24 Mini Pretzels ((antlers))
- {a few chocolate chips melted to make dots on eyes if using white candies for eyeballs}
Instructions
- Make brownie or cake recipe per the recipe or the box. Fill cupcake liners about ¾ full.
- Bake about 25-30 minutes or per box instructions. Cool completely.
- Frost the brownies.
- Place a Nilla Wafer on each brownie for a muzzle (see photos above), then place pretzels above for antlers.
- Attach the candy eyeballs.
- Use a little frosting to stick brown or red M&M's on for a nose, and you're done!
Video
Notes
- We like using mini Vanilla Wafters, but you can also use regular-size if that's what you can find at the store.
- You can use any type of red, round candy for the nose to make them Rudolph cupcakes.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in December 2017. We updated it with enhanced instructions and video on November 16, 2020.
Other Holiday Treats
Toni Dash says
These are so adorable! My kids loved them!
Beth says
Oh my goodness these are so adorable and fun! My daughter is going to have fun making these with me! So excited!
Matt Taylor says
This is such a fun decorating idea for cupcakes! Perfect for Christmas!
Erin Henry says
Thanks, Matt! Yes, fun and easy idea to celebrate the holidays!
Damien UwU says
These are so cute my husband and I made these together and they were so much fun! His looked a lot better than mine!
Erin Henry says
Glad you had fun making them, Damien!
jess (creative index) says
Those are SO cute!
And easy too! I LOVE easy! haha
Erin says
These make me smile every time I see them 🙂 They are easy to make and the kids love putting them together. I love easy too! Enjoy.
Lou Lou Girls says
Hello beautiful! I’m just stopping by to let you know that your yummy reindeer brownie will be featured at our party that starts on Monday @ 7 and goes until Friday @ 7. Pinned and tweeted. Thanks for sharing this with us and we hope to see you next week! Merry Christmas! Lou Lou Girls
Erin says
Thanks, Lou Lou Girls! I'll see you next week for sure! Happy holidays! XO
Raquel says
You reindeer brownies are so cute! Going to have to make these for sure. Found you on the BWT party!
Erin says
Great! Thanks for taking a look! Cheers, Erin
Brooke says
Adorable! I don't know if I could eat them because I'd want to enjoy their cuteness for a little bit. 🙂
Erin says
Yes, they are are (almost) too cute to eat 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Brooke!
Cindy Hun... What's for Dinner? says
How cute are these?!? I'd like to invite you to share your cupcakes over at Simple Supper Tuesday. Hope to see you there!
Erin says
Thanks, Cindy! Thanks for the comment. I'll check out Simple Supper. XO
Susanne says
How cute! I love this idea. Pinning!
Erin says
Thanks for the pin, Susanne! XO
Fotini Roman says
These are adorable! My little ones request reindeer cookies every year and we just love them too!
Erin says
Mine do too! This recipe is easy so they are able to help. Thanks for dropping by!
Wendy says
These are absolutely adorable! I love how easy they are - perfect for kids (or for me...this adult needs "easy" 🙂 )! Pinning this one! #SITSShareFest
Erin says
They are adorable...and easy to make! Thanks for pinning!
Aimee @ like mother like daughter says
Oh my gosh, these are the cutest brownie cupcakes in the whole world! I love them!
Erin says
I know! Adorable! Thanks for popping by!
Jere' says
Oh so cute. I like how kid friendly these are.
Erin says
Yes, all my kids love these. They are so cute when you make a whole place...people can't resist! Thanks for visiting.
Lisa says
Cute idea. Easy for the kids to help decorate. Thank you for sharing.
Erin says
Yep! Super easy and fun to the kids to decorate. Thanks for visiting, Lisa.
Kelsey says
This is so fun and looks tasty!
http://www.kelseymarie.co
Erin says
Yes, they are a big hit when you take them to a holiday party!
Heidi says
These are adorable!! Love easy recipes 🙂
Erin says
Me too! Easy is the way to go! Thanks for visiting, Heidi!
Leigh says
Sooo CUTE!
Erin says
I know! They make me smile! Kids and adults both love them.
Jessy @ The Life Jolie says
These are so cute- perfect for kids!
Erin says
Totally perfect for kids. My daughter thinks they are the best! She just gave one to her teacher 🙂
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
These are darling! I'm not sure if I could be trusted with a tray of these. I think I'd eat them all because they either looked so good or tasted so good:) Pinning & sharing on my Facebook page!
Erin says
They are delicious and adorable...so definitely hard to be trusted with! Thanks for stopping by and sharing. Erin