A Sweet Holiday Tradition
‘Tis the season for baking and celebrating! 🎄 Everywhere you look, there’s a reason to make something sweet—from classic Christmas cookies to fun new creations that bring smiles to every face.
This month, I’m sharing one of my favorite easy holiday dessert ideas that’s just as fun to make as it is to eat — Reindeer Cupcakes! These adorable cupcakes are perfect for classroom parties, family gatherings, or cozy nights at home with the kids. They’re simple, festive, and guaranteed to spread cheer.
What You’ll Need
You can use your favorite cupcake recipe or keep it simple with a boxed mix. (Tip: if using a boxed mix, add a small box of pudding and an extra egg for extra-moist cupcakes!)
Supplies & Ingredients:
- Cupcakes (any flavor you love)
- Cupcake baking pan
- Cooling rack
- Festive cupcake liners
- Cookie scoop (for even batter portions)
- Candy melts (chocolate flavor)
- (2) Wilton #4 decorating tips
- (2) Wilton #10 decorating tips
- Disposable decorating bags
- Wilton red icing
- Wilton brown icing
- Wilton black decorator icing
- Parchment paper
- Eyeball sprinkles (optional)
How to Make Reindeer Cupcakes
1. Bake the Cupcakes
Prepare your cupcake batter and preheat the oven. Line your cupcake pan with festive paper liners, then use a cookie scoop to fill each cavity evenly. Bake as directed (most recipes bake at 350°F for about 17 minutes).
Let the cupcakes cool on a wire rack for 15–20 minutes before decorating.
2. Make the Antlers
While the cupcakes bake, melt the chocolate candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl at 30% power in 30-second increments until smooth.
Snip the tip of a disposable decorating bag fitted with a #4 tip, fill with melted chocolate, and pipe “Y”-shaped antlers onto parchment paper. Make extra in case a few break! Let them harden completely.
3. Decorate the Cupcakes
Fit one decorating bag with a #10 tip and fill it with brown icing. Using another #10 tip, fill a second bag with red icing, and fit a third bag with a #4 tip for the black icing.
Hold the brown icing bag vertically and pipe frosting in a gentle swirl starting at the outer edge, moving inward until the top is fully covered.
Add two chocolate antlers to each cupcake, then use black icing to make two tiny dots for the eyes. Finish each cupcake with a red nose using red icing.
Optional (and Adorable!) Variations
For an even cuter touch, try adding Wilton edible eyeballs instead of piping the eyes. You can also swap the red icing nose for a red peanut butter M&M—it gives your reindeer a fun personality!
These reindeer cupcakes are a hit at holiday parties, school events, and Christmas dessert tables. And let’s be honest—Santa would love finding one next to his glass of milk on Christmas Eve! 🎅
A Little Holiday Joy in Every Bite
These Reindeer Cupcakes are more than a dessert—they’re a memory in the making. Get the kids involved, laugh at the frosting mess, and enjoy creating something sweet together.
Because sometimes, the best part of baking isn’t just how it tastes—it’s the joy it brings. ❤️