Reindeer Cupcakes

For a long time my friends have been telling me that I should do something with my baking, so here goes...

I intend to post something new and tasty at least once a week, sharing what has been cooking in my kitchen.

If there is something you want to see me bake or anything you want to know, just let me know!!

So here goes, and where better to start in December with a festive offering of Reindeer Cupcakes. I made these for a friend's Christmas Party last night, and they went down a treat..

Vanilla Cupcakes - makes twelve.
150g Butter/Margarine
150g Caster Sugar
175g Self Raising Flour
1tsp Vanilla Extract
3 eggs

I love this cupcake recipe as it is so easy to use, pop all the ingredients into the bowl at once and simply mix, no fuss!

Then bake these for 20 minutes at Gas Mark 4 (180C) and pop on a wire rack to cool.  The wonderful thing about this cold weather is my conservatory turns into a walk in fridge and leaving cakes in there for quarter of an hour or so cools them quickly for decorating!

And then for the fun bit...

To decorate - 

Chocolate Butter Icing
150g Butter
70g Cocoa Powder
180g Icing Sugar

Chocolate Covered Pretzels for Antlers
Chocolate Button and Sugar Coated Chocolate Drops for Noses
Sprinkles for Eyes

Sticking the pretzels in to make the antlers and placing the sugar coated chocolate drops on top of the chocolate buttons with a dab of icing to make the noses. I found the eyes to be quite fiddly, but if you put them on before the noses, that makes life a lot easier! 

The chocolate icing was very rich but went down lovely with a glass of mulled wine! Helping to start the festive cheer.

Happy Baking!

The Muffin Minx