Rudolph Cupcakes

Midwest Maven's Note:

These are adorable and would be perfect for a Christmas party :)

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 24

Yield: 24.0 cupcakes

• 1 (18 ¼ ounce) package chocolate cake mix
• ¼ cup butter , softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 5 -6 tablespoons strong brewed coffee
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips , melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 dash salt
• 24 pretzel twists , broken in half (for antlers)
• M&M' (you'll need the reds for the noses)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 24 (2 1/2 inch) muffin pan cups with liners.
2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, and spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until toothpicks inserted in centers come out clean.
4. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool on racks completely.
5. Beat butter in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until creamy.
6. Gradually add powdered sugar, and 4 tablespoons strong brewed coffee and beat until smooth.
7. Add melted chocolate, vanilla, and salt; beat until well blended.
8. Add remaining coffee 1 tablespoon at a time, until frosting is of desired spreading consistency.
9. Frost cooled cupcakes with frosting.
10. Stick 2 broken pretzel pieces in cupcake standing up, for antlers.
11. Give all the Rudolphs a red m&m nose and 2 m&m's that are the same color, for eyes. (Could also use skittles for this if you like).