Rudolph Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 (18 1/4 ounce) package chocolate cake mix

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 5-6 tablespoons strong brewed coffee
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 dash salt
• 24 pretzel twists, broken in half (for antlers)
• M&M's (you'll need the reds for the noses)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 24 (2 1/2 inch) muffin pan cups with liners.

2. 2

   Prepare cake mix according to package directions, and spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

3. 3

   Bake for 15-20 minutes or until toothpicks inserted in centers come out clean.

4. 4

   Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool on racks completely.

5. 5

   Beat butter in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until creamy.

6. 6

   Gradually add powdered sugar, and 4 tablespoons strong brewed coffee and beat until smooth.

7. 7

   Add melted chocolate, vanilla, and salt; beat until well blended.

8. 8

   Add remaining coffee 1 tablespoon at a time, until frosting is of desired spreading consistency.

9. 9

   Frost cooled cupcakes with frosting.

10. 10

    Stick 2 broken pretzel pieces in cupcake standing up, for antlers.

11. 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).