Indulge in food and family fun this holiday season
Families have their own unique holiday traditions, and such customs help to make this time of year so special. Baking together as a family is a popular holiday tradition that rewards everyone with some tasty treats after a fun-filled day in the kitchen.
Incorporating a holiday theme into baked goods can add to the fun factor, particularly for children. Families looking to mix fun and food this holiday season can try their hands at this recipe for "Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes" courtesy of Lines+Angles.
Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes
Makes 12 servings
For Chocolate Cupcakes:
2/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup superfine sugar
3 eggs
11/2 cups self-rising flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
For Chocolate Frosting:
3/4 cup butter, softened
31/3 cups confectioners' sugar
7/8 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 to 6 tablespoons milk
For Decorations:
12 sets candy eyes
12 red gumdrops
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
For Chocolate Cupcakes:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line muffin tin wells with 12 paper cupcake liners.
2. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Gradually add flour and cocoa powder, mixing until all ingredients are incorporated.
3. Spoon the batter into the paper liners. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until tops are springy to the touch. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and allow to cool completely before decorating.
For Chocolate Frosting:
1. In a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, cocoa and vanilla. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until frosting reaches the desired consistency. Frost each cupcake using an offset spatula.
To Decorate:
1. Arrange candied eyes and gumdrop nose on frosted cupcake.
2. Melt semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Cool slightly, and transfer to a pastry bag fitted with small plain round tip. Pipe antlers with chocolate on parchment or waxed paper; place in the refrigerator or freezer and allow to set.
3. Once the chocolate has set, carefully remove antlers from paper and insert in cupcake. Serve.
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
