These Reindeer Cupcakes are the cutest Christmas snacks! The kids will love decorating them with pretzels (antlers), candy eyes and dark chocolate (nose)!
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Table of Contents
Ingredients to make Reindeer Cupcakes with Pretzel Antlers
For these healthier chocolate cupcakes, you need:
- Eggs
- Brown sugar
- Coconut oil
- Cacao powder – 100%, unsweetened
- Dark chocolate chips (optional)
- Boiling water
- All-purpose flour
- Almond flour
- Baking powder
To decorate the reindeers:
- Pretzels
- Dark chocolate chips
- Sugar eyes
Step by Step Instructions
Baking the cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 356F (180C).
- Boil some water, you will need 1 cup for the recipe.
- Whisk the eggs.
- Add brown sugar, coconut oil, cacao powder and mix.
- Slowly add the boiling water and mix.
- Stir in all-purpose flour and almond flour.
- Lastly, add the baking powder and optional dark chocolate chips and gently mix.
- Scoop batter into prepared mini or regular sized cupcake trays.
- Bake until toothpick comes out clean, approximately 15 minutes for mini cupcakes and 25 minutes for regular sized cupcakes.
Decorating the Reindeers:
- Split each pretzel in half (use your hands or a knife).
- Place the 2 parts on cupcake to make the antlers.
- Add two sugar eyes.
- Add one round chocolate chip to make the nose.
Recipe Notes
- If you wish to use the whole pretzels without splitting, you will need to melt some dark chocolate in the microwave, spread on top of the cupcake to “glue” the antlers.
Baking Tips
- Use eggs at room temperature – pull them 30 min before baking for the best results.
- Slowly add in hot water.
- Flour – make sure to level the cup and do not compact it as it will result in dry cupcakes.
Storage Instructions
- You can store these Reindeer Cupcakes in airtight containers in the fridge for 1 week or freeze them for up to 3 months.
- To defrost, place them in the microwave in 15 second increments until defrosted (it will depend on the number of cupcakes you defrost and your microwave power).
Serving Suggestions and Substitutions
- This is a healthier version of a chocolate cupcake as it uses brown sugar, and I used almond flour in the batter. However, as it contains sugar, it is only recommended to offer to kids older than 2 years old. For more information on this, read my article based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics – “Why avoid sugar before age 2”.
- Almond Flour: You can replace it for oat flour.
- I suggest serving these with fruit for a balanced snack.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep cupcakes moist and fluffy?
You can’t overmix the batter, and it is best to add the baking powder last!
How do you store cupcakes without drying them out?
Always store them in an airtight container to prevent air from drying them out.
How long will cupcakes stay fresh?
Typically, in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days, 1 week in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer.
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🥣Recipe
Reindeer Cupcakes
These Reindeer Cupcakes are the cutest Christmas snacks! The kids will love decoratingthem with pretzels (antlers), candy eyes and dark chocolate (nose)!
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Servings: 30 mini muffins
Calories: 122kcal
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes
- 3 eggs large
- 1/2 cup coconut oil melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp cacao powder unsweetened
- 1 cup water boiling
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips optional
Decorating the Reindeers
- 30 Pretzels
- 30 dark chocolate chips
- 60 edible candy eyes
Instructions
Preparing / Baking the Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 356F (180C).
- Boil some water (you will need 1 cup for the recipe).
- Whisk the eggs.
- Add brown sugar, coconut oil, cacao powder and mix.
- Slowly add the boiling water and mix.
- Stir in all-purpose flour and almond flour.
- Lastly, add the baking powder and optional dark chocolate chips and gently mix.
- Scoop batter into prepared mini or regular sized cupcake trays.
- Bake until toothpick comes out clean, approximately 15 minutes for mini cupcakes and25 minutes for regular sized cupcakes.
Decorating the Reindeers
- Split each pretzel in half (use your hands or a knife).
- Place the 2 parts on cupcake to make the antlers.
- Add two edible candy eyes.
- Add one round chocolate chip to make the nose.
Notes
- Nutrition facts are calculated for each cupcake.
- Edible candy eyes were not part of the calculation. I normally only use them for decorating and remove before my child eats the cupcake.
- If you wish to use the whole pretzels without splitting, you will need to melt some dark chocolate in the microwave, spread on top of the cupcake to “glue” the antlers.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Reindeer Cupcakes
Amount per Serving
Calories
122
% Daily Value*
Fat
7
g
11
%
Saturated Fat
4
g
25
%
Trans Fat
0.002
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.4
g
Cholesterol
16
mg
5
%
Sodium
67
mg
3
%
Potassium
49
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
14
g
5
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
8
g
9
%
Protein
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
24
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
0.04
mg
0
%
Calcium
51
mg
5
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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