Easy Reindeer Cupcakes

This post was sponsored by JOANN. All opinions are my own.

‘Tis the season for dessert!  This month is my favorite baking month of the year.  Everywhere you turn there is a reason to make treats, from your traditional desserts to fun, new recipes and creations.

This month I’m sharing a simple cupcake decorating idea that is easy to replicate and perfect for including the kids: Reindeer Cupcakes!  With so many classroom parties and gatherings, these adorable reindeer cupcakes are the perfect treat to celebrate with.

You’ll want to head to your nearest JOANN store or pop over to their site and grab a few supplies.  As far as the actual recipe, you can make your personal favorite cupcake recipe or keep it simple with a boxed cupcake mix.  (When I used a boxed mix, I add a small box of pudding and an extra egg to create an extra moist cupcake).

You will need:

Cupcakes (use your favorite cupcake recipe)
Cupcake baking pan
Cooling rack
Festive cupcake liners
Cookie scoop
Candy melts chocolate
(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

Once your batter is prepared, and the oven is preheating, place paper liners in cupcake pan.  Using a cookie scoop, fill cavities with cupcake batter.  This will ensure even cupcake sizes.  Bake as recommended on recipe.  (Most cupcake recipes are 350 for about 17 minutes)

While the cupcakes bake, melt chocolate candy melts in a microwave safe bowl on 30% power for 30 second increments until fully melted.  Snip the tip of a disposable decorating bag and add a #4 Wilton decorating tip.  Fill bag with melted chocolate.

Lay out a piece of parchment paper and slowly draw antlers using a “Y” design.  Make extra as some may break and it’s better to have more than not enough!  Allow to dry.

When the cupcakes are finished baking, allow them to cool on a cooling rack for 15-20 minutes.

While waiting, fit two disposable decorating bags with #10 tips and fill one with red icing and one with brown icing.  Fit another bag with a #4 decorating bag and fill with black icing.

Holding the bag filled with brown icing vertically, carefully swirl icing onto the top of the cupcake starting on the outer edge and moving in a clockwise motion until you reach the center of the cupcake.

Add two chocolate antlers to each cupcake.  Using the black icing, make two small dots giving the reindeer eyes.  Finish the reindeer cupcake using the red icing, giving each cupcake a red nose.

Stand back and admire your reindeers!

For a fun alternative, you can use Wilton’s edible eyeballs and even substitute the red icing nose for a red peanut butter m&m.  They make for a funny reindeer face.  I’m certain kids will love to make these!

Either way you make them, they’re both darling!  Great for holiday get togethers and Christmas dessert table treats.  I bet Santa would like to find one next to his cup of milk!

Pin this idea for later!

Photos by Kelly Clare Photography

THIS IS A SPONSORED POST. JENNY COOKIES HAS RECEIVED PAYMENT, TRADE AND/OR PRODUCTS IN EXCHANGE FOR PROMOTING, HOWEVER ALL OPINIONS STATED ARE MY OWN AND I ONLY PROMOTE PRODUCTS/COMPANIES I LOVE.