Saturday 15 December 2012

Sunday Baking: Reindeer Cupcakes

Belated....this was last Sunday. Look out for the Sunday before: coming next!

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I loved these when I saw the recipe, and when I saw some chocolate-covered pretzels in the supermarket I knew I had to make them. They were very tasty, although a little dry - I think I left them in the oven a bit long. Mr Z did the eyes with a declaration of "I'm helping." Since the website suggests making them with children I had to giggle a bit.

125g butter, softened
175g caster sugar
2 eggs
200g self raising flour
2 tbsp cocoa
100ml milk
100g dark chocolate, melted

50g dark chocolate, chopped
3 tbsp double cream

Giant chocolate buttons
Red Smarties (I might use cherries next time - it took three tubes to get enough!)
Black writing icing
Mini marshmallows, sliced

Preheat the oven to 170C. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper cases.

Beat the butter and sugar together until light and creamy. Gradually beat in the eggs until well combined. Sift in the flour and cocoa powder and mix until combined. Fold in the milk and melted chocolate.

Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until well risen and lightly firm to the touch. Remove the cakes from the tin and set aside to cool on a cooling rack.

For the icing, heat the chocolate and cream in a saucepan over a low heat until the chocolate has melted. Whisk the mixture until smooth and set aside to cool slightly.

To decorate the cupcakes, dip each cupcake into the icing to coat the top. Press a chocolate button onto the cake as a nose, then stick a crisp-coated chocolate on top using a little icing. Stick on two slices of marshmallows as the eyes, and use the black writing icing for the pupils. Stick on the pretzels as the ears.

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