These festive reindeer cupcakes are a holiday favorite in my kitchen. They are adorable, easy to decorate, and always bring smiles to both kids and adults. With a simple semi-homemade cupcake base and fun decorations like pretzels, marshmallows, and cherries, I can make a whole batch that looks like Rudolph and his friends in no time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how simple these cupcakes are to put together while still looking like a bakery-worthy holiday treat. Starting with a cake mix makes things easy, and adding mayonnaise gives the cake a rich, moist texture. Decorating is the best part—I can be as creative as I want with pretzel antlers, marshmallow eyes, and bright red noses. These cupcakes are perfect for holiday parties, school events, or just a fun afternoon activity with the kids. They even double as a centerpiece for the dessert table since they look so festive.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 chocolate or white cake mix

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 1 cup water

• Pretzels (whole or broken in half for antlers)

• Maraschino cherries or red hots (for noses)

• Miniature marshmallows (for eyes)

• Mini chocolate chips (for pupils)

• White frosting

• Chocolate frosting

• Vanilla wafers (mini or regular, depending on cupcake size)

• Optional: candy eyes, M&M’s, tinted frosting

• Piping bag or zip-top bag for decorating

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line muffin tins with cupcake liners.

2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, mayonnaise, and water. Beat with an electric mixer for about 3 minutes until smooth.

3. Divide the batter into the liners and bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

4. Let cupcakes cool completely before decorating.

5. Frost with chocolate frosting.

6. Add pretzel pieces for antlers, a maraschino cherry or red candy for the nose, and marshmallows with mini chocolate chips (or piped frosting) for eyes.

7. Use vanilla wafers if desired to build the reindeer face base.

8. Have fun making each reindeer unique—just like Rudolph and his friends!

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 24 cupcakes.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes

Variations

I like to change up the decorations depending on what I have on hand. Instead of maraschino cherries, I sometimes use red M&M’s or cinnamon candies. For the eyes, I swap marshmallows for candy eyes when I want a quicker option. Peanut butter reindeer cookies also make a fun topper if I want to mix cupcakes and cookies on the same dessert tray.

Storage/Reheating

I store decorated cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If I need them ahead of time, I freeze the undecorated cupcakes and frost them after thawing. To refresh, I let them come to room temperature before serving.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cake instead of cake mix?

Yes, I can make any cupcake recipe I like and decorate it the same way. The mayonnaise version just keeps them extra moist.

Do I need special decorating tools?

Not at all. I usually use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off to pipe frosting, but I could also just spread it on with a knife.

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, I often bake the cupcakes a day in advance, then decorate them right before serving to keep the decorations fresh.

What can I use if I don’t have pretzels for antlers?

I sometimes use chocolate sticks, licorice, or even piped chocolate to create antlers if pretzels aren’t available.

Are these good for kids to help decorate?

Absolutely! Decorating is the best part for kids. I usually set out bowls of candies, pretzels, and frosting so everyone can design their own reindeer.

Conclusion

These reindeer Christmas cupcakes are as fun to make as they are to eat. I love bringing them to parties, setting them out on the holiday dessert table, or just making them as a family activity. With simple ingredients and playful decorations, they always spread holiday cheer and become a tradition worth keeping year after year.