Reindeer cupcakes
<div><p>You can’t fail to get into the Christmas spirit with these little cuties!</p><p><strong>Makes:</strong> 18 cupcakes</p><p><strong>Preparation time:</strong> 45 mins</p><p><strong>Cooking time:</strong> 20 mins</p><p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p><ul><li>100g dark chocolate</li><li>250ml water</li><li>125g butter, softened</li><li>255g brown sugar</li><li>3 eggs</li><li>225g self-raising flour</li><li>75g plain flour</li><li>30g cocoa powder</li><li>Large bag of pretzels</li><li>Mini white chocolate buttons</li><li>18 red M&M’s</li><li>36 green or blue M&M’s</li><li>Chocolate piping gel </li></ul><p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p></div><div><ol><li>Preheat oven to 160C. Line an 18-capacity muffin pan with paper cases.</li><li>Melt the chocolate over a pan of simmering water, gradually stirring in water until the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool.</li><li>Beat the butter and sugar in a food processor until pale and creamy, then add eggs one at a time. Gradually mix in the self-raising flour, plain flour, cocoa powder and melted chocolate.</li><li>Divide the mixture evenly between the paper cases, filling to about ¾ full.</li><li>Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centres comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.</li><li>Now for the best bit – make your reindeer faces! Use a pretzel for antlers – attach with piping gel. Attach a red M&M to a white chocolate button using a little blob of piping gel for a nose, then arrange two green or two blue M&Ms for eyes. Create pupils on the eyes with chocolate piping gel.</li></ol></div>
