Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes

Ingredients

• Cupcakes

  • 11/4 cups (310 ml) brown sugar
  • 1 cup (250 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) salt
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) milk
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

• Frosting

  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (250 ml) icing sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) milk

• Topping

  • 2 oz (55 g) dark chocolate, chopped
  • 24 yellow chocolate candy (such as M&M’s)
  • 11 brown chocolate candy (such as M&M’s)
  • 13 red chocolate candy (such as M&M’s)
  • 12 whole pretzels, broken in half