# What You'll Need:
→ Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 cup whole milk
08 - 1/4 cup vegetable oil
09 - 1 large egg
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 1/2 cup hot water
→ Chocolate Frosting
12 - 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
13 - 1 2/3 cups powdered sugar
14 - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
15 - 2 tablespoons milk
16 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Gingerbread Antlers
17 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
18 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
19 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
20 - 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
21 - 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
22 - Pinch of salt
23 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
24 - 3 tablespoons brown sugar
25 - 1 tablespoon honey or molasses
26 - 1 tablespoon milk
→ Spiced Cranberry Mousse
27 - 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
28 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
29 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
30 - 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
31 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
32 - 3.5 ounces cream cheese, softened
→ Decoration
33 - 8 red candy-coated chocolates
34 - 16 candy eyes
35 - 16 mini pretzels (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with 8 paper liners.
02 - In a bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk milk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then gradually incorporate hot water. Fill liners two-thirds full.
03 - Bake cupcakes for 18 to 20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
04 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, mixing slowly. Add milk and vanilla extract, then beat until fluffy.
05 - Combine flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Cream butter with brown sugar, then mix in honey and milk. Add dry ingredients and mix until dough forms. Chill for 15 minutes.
06 - Roll chilled dough to 1/5 inch thickness. Cut antler shapes using a template or knife. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool completely.
07 - Simmer cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a saucepan for 10 minutes until softened. Cool, then blend until smooth. Whip heavy cream to soft peaks. Beat cream cheese until smooth, fold in cranberry puree, then gently fold in whipped cream.
08 - Frost each cupcake with chocolate frosting. Insert gingerbread antlers or pretzels, add candy eyes, and top with red candy nose. Serve with bowls or quenelles of cranberry mousse alongside additional antlers for dipping.
