INGREDIENTS:

1 chocolate cake mix, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted), 1/3 cup sour cream, 1 cup unsalted butter (softened), 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 4 cups powdered sugar, pretzels, red M&M’s, candy eyes

Cupcakes:

• 1 chocolate cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup sour cream

Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups powdered sugar

Toppings:

• Red M&M’s (for noses)
• Pretzels (for antlers)
• Candy Eyes

INSTRUCTIONS how to make Reindeer Cupcakes:

Cupcakes

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, milk, melted butter, and sour cream. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
3. Fill the Liners: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
4. Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before adding frosting.

Frosting

1. Make the Frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
2. Frost the Cupcakes: Spread or pipe the chocolate frosting onto each cooled cupcake.

Decoration

1. Create Reindeer Faces: Place two pretzels at the top of each cupcake to resemble antlers, add a red M&M in the center for the nose, and position two candy eyes above the nose to complete each reindeer face.

How to store Reindeer Cupcakes:

How to Store Reindeer Cupcakes
Store your decorated Reindeer Cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Before serving, let them sit at room temperature to soften the frosting.

How to Freeze Reindeer Cupcakes
To freeze, place undecorated cupcakes in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before frosting and decorating. Frosted cupcakes can also be frozen, but decorations like candy eyes and pretzels may not retain their texture when thawed, so it’s best to add those fresh after thawing.

Tips for Making the Perfect Reindeer Cupcakes:

• Use Fresh Pretzels: To keep the “antlers” crisp, use fresh pretzels for each batch. Stale pretzels may soften and lose their shape.
• Chill the Frosting: If the frosting is too soft while decorating, chill it for a few minutes. This will make it easier to pipe or spread neatly.
• Add Decorations Right Before Serving: For the best look, add candy eyes, M&M noses, and pretzels just before serving. This prevents the pretzels from absorbing moisture and getting soggy.
• Experiment with Different M&M Colors: Use different colors to create a whole reindeer family or stick with red for the classic Rudolph look.

TRY THESE NEXT TIME:

Chocolate Chip M&Ms cookies

Peppermint Mocha Cookies

ECLAIR CAKE with Homemade Cream

Print

Reindeer Cupcakes

Reindeer Cupcakes are festive chocolate treats topped with cocoa frosting, pretzel antlers, M&M noses, and candy eyes—perfect for holiday fun!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword chocolate cupcakes, cupcake recipe, reindeer cupcakes

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 24

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

• 1 chocolate cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1/3 cup sour cream

Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Toppings:

• Pretzels for antlers
• Red M&M’s for noses
• Candy eyes

Instructions

Cupcakes

• Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
• Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, milk, melted butter, and sour cream. Stir until smooth.
• Fill Cupcake Liners: Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
• Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Frosting

• Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and powdered sugar, beating until smooth and fluffy.
• Frost Cupcakes: Using a piping bag or spatula, frost each cooled cupcake with the chocolate frosting.

Decoration

• Add Reindeer Faces: Place two pretzels at the top of each cupcake to form antlers, a red M&M in the center as the nose, and two candy eyes just above the nose to complete the reindeer face.

The post Reindeer Cupcakes Recipe appeared first on Tasty Homemade Recipes.

Indulge in the delightful world of pecan squares, a scrumptious dessert that beautifully encapsulates the traditional, rich, nutty, and sweet flavors of classic pecan pie, all within the convenience of a delectable bar.

Savor a delightful symphony of sweetness and nuttiness as you explore the ultimate dessert sensation that not only satisfies your cravings but also enhances any gathering with each heavenly mouthful.

Pecan Squares Recipe

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 3⁄4 cup flour
• 1⁄3 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 1⁄4 cup cornstarch
•  1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup cold butter pieces

Filling:

• 1 1⁄2 stick butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoon heavy cream
• 2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions:

Crust:

1. Begin by lining a 9-inch square baking pan and giving it a quick spray using nonstick cooking spray.
2. Use a food processor to combine flour, cornstarch, confectioners sugar, and salt. Give it a few pulses to blend the dry ingredients.
3. Add the butter to the mixture and pulse a few more times until texture resembles coarse meal.
4. No need to worry if the mixture appears dry.
5. Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared pan. Press it down firmly to create an even layer.
6. Place the pan in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
8. Once the crust has had its time in the refrigerator, bake it in the preheated ovenfor roughly 16 minutes. Our aim is to set the crust without any browning.

9. Once baked, allow the crust to cool on a rack. Remember to keep the oven on, as we’ll be using it again.

Filling:

1. Put butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and salt in a medium pan over medium-low heat.
2. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves.
3. Raise the heat and let it gently boil for around 3 minutes.
4. Then, add heavy cream and chopped pecans to the mixture.

Baking:

1. Pour the pecan mixture over the crust (it’s okay if the crust is still warm).
2. Bake for about 20 minutes (until the filling bubbles ).
3. Let it cool completely.
4. Cut it into 2-inch squares.

Here are some simple tips to improve your PECAN SQUARES recipe:

• Chilled Crust: Ensure your crust is well-chilled before baking. This helps create a flakier texture.
• Even Layer: When pressing the crust into the pan, make sure it’s evenly distributed to provide a consistent base.
• Proper Mixing: For the filling, thoroughly mix the ingredients to achieve a balanced flavor in every bite.
• Foil Lining: Using foil in the pan aids in easy removal and cutting. Be sure it overlaps for easy lifting.
• Filling Distribution: When pouring the pecan mixture, try to evenly distribute it for consistent results.
• Watch the Bake: Keep a close eye on the bars while baking. The filling should bubble and turn caramel, but avoid overbaking.
• Complete Cooling: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting. This prevents them from falling apart.
• Sharp Cutting: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars cleanly and without breaking the crust.
• Airtight Storage: Store the finished bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent them from drying out.
• Room Temperature Serving: Serve the pecan bars at room temperature to enjoy their full flavor and texture.

Equipment Needed:

• 9-inch Square Baking Pan: To bake the bars.
• Heavy-Duty Aluminum Foil or parchment paper: For lining the pan and aiding in removal. Nonstick Cooking Spray: To prevent sticking.
• Food Processor: For blending the crust ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon: For stirring the filling.
• Stove: To heat and boil the filling.
• Oven: For baking the crust and filling.
• Cooling Rack: To cool the baked crust and bars.
• Cutting Board: For cutting the bars.
• Sharp Knife: To cut the bars cleanly.
• Airtight Container: For storing the finished bars. 

Pecan Square Pieces Cut to About 2 Inches.

Print

Pecan Squares

Pecan squares are a delicious dessert that captures the rich, nutty, and sweet flavors of traditional pecan pie in a convenient bar form.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Pecan Bars, Pecan Squares

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 16 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 16

Ingredients

Crust:

• – 3/4 cup flour
• – 1/3 cup confectioner’s sugar
• – 1/4 cup cornstarch
• – 1 teaspoon salt
• – 1/2 cup cold butter pieces

Filling:

• – 1 1/2 stick butter
• – 1 cup brown sugar
• – 2 tablespoon honey
• – 1 teaspoon vanilla
• – Pinch of salt
• – 2 tablespoon heavy cream
• – 2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions

• CRUST: Begin by lining a 9-inch square baking pan and giving it a quick spray using nonstick cooking spray.
• Use a food processor to combine flour, cornstarch, confectioners sugar, and salt. Give it a few pulses to blend the dry ingredients.
• Add the butter to the mixture and pulse a few more times until texture resembles coarse meal.
• No need to worry if the mixture appears dry.
• Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared pan. Press it down firmly to create
• an even layer.
• Place the pan in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Once the crust has had its time in the refrigerator, bake it in the preheated oven
• for roughly 16 minutes. Our aim is to set the crust without any browning.
• Once baked, allow the crust to cool on a rack. Remember to keep the oven on, as we'll be using it again.
• FILLING: Put butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and salt in a medium pan over medium-low heat.
• Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves.
• Raise the heat and let it gently boil for around 3 minutes.
• Then, add heavy cream and chopped pecans to the mixture.
• BAKING: Pour the pecan mixture over the crust (it's okay if the crust is still warm).
• Bake for about 20 minutes (until the filling bubbles ).
• Let it cool completely.
• Cut it into 2-inch squares.

Notes

• Chilled Crust: Ensure your crust is well-chilled before baking. This helps create a flakier texture.
• Even Layer: When pressing the crust into the pan, make sure it’s evenly distributed to provide a consistent base.
• Proper Mixing: For the filling, thoroughly mix the ingredients to achieve a balanced flavor in every bite.
• Foil Lining: Using foil in the pan aids in easy removal and cutting. Be sure it overlaps for easy lifting.
• Filling Distribution: When pouring the pecan mixture, try to evenly distribute it for consistent results.
• Watch the Bake: Keep a close eye on the bars while baking. The filling should bubble and turn caramel, but avoid overbaking.
• Complete Cooling: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting. This prevents them from falling apart.
• Sharp Cutting: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars cleanly and without breaking the crust.
• Airtight Storage: Store the finished bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent them from drying out.
• Room Temperature Serving: Serve the pecan bars at room temperature to enjoy their full flavor and texture.

Pin it for later

Have you tried our LEMON COOKIES?

You can find Lemon Cookies recipe here

The post Pecan Squares Recipe appeared first on Tasty Homemade Recipes.