Very Merry

In case you're already tired of all the Christmas recipes on this blog, here's my solemn promise I won't be posting any of them until the next holiday season. Twelve months to go, right?! And in the meantime, have yourself a merry little...cupcake! Sorry, but these Gingerbread Reindeers are seriously too cute to pass up!

Gingerbread Reindeers:

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl whisk together all of the wet ingredients.
In another bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, spices and cranberries.
Using a large spoon, gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ones until everything's combined. Make sure not to overmix, or you wil end up with a batch of stone-hard muffins!
Fill each muffin cup full with the batter, then place in the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.

Orange & White Chocolate Frosting:

400g cream cheese
50g unsalted butter at room temperature
1 heaping tablespoon icing sugar (optional, if you like things on the sweeter side)
100g white chocolate, diced
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

Start with melting the white chocolate in a double boiler. Allow it to cool slightly before using.
Beat the cream cheese, butter, orange zest, vanilla extract and sugar, just until there are no lumps visible. Add the melted chocolate and mix until fully incorporated.

 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF MY READERS!!!