Preparation Steps

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
• Slowly pour in the hot water and mix until the batter is smooth and thin. The batter will be quite liquidy.
• Pour the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
• Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
• Let the cupcakes cool in the muffin tin for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until combined. Add the vanilla extract and mix again.
• Add milk or cream, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired spreading consistency.
• Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them generously with the cream cheese frosting.
• Decorate each cupcake to look like a reindeer: Insert two mini pretzel halves into the top of the frosting for antlers. Place two mini chocolate chips for eyes and one red candy for the nose.