Make reindeer cupcakes

Families asked Emily Leary, multi-award-winning food, lifestyle and parenting writer, presenter, photographer and author of A Mummy Too (< amummytoo.co.uk) to share her scrumptious chocolate reindeer cupcake recipe with us. Fun and easy to make, you’ll love the chocolate sponge, rich chocolate frosting and the simple toppings which make the cute Christmas reindeer faces.

You will need:

175g (6.2oz) slightly salted butter, cubed and room temperature

200g (7.1oz) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)

3 medium free-range eggs, room temperature

125ml (4.2 floz) whole milk, room temperature

200g (7.1oz) self-raising white flour

40g (1.4oz) cocoa powder (dutch processed)

For the buttercream:

400g (14.1oz) icing sugar (powdered sugar)

200g (7.1oz) slightly salted butter, softened

75g (2.6oz) cocoa powder (dutch processed)

100ml (3.4 floz) whole milk

Decorations:

12 red Smarties or M&Ms and

12 giant milk chocolate buttons

24 candy eyes and 24 pretzels

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan). Put the caster sugar and softened butter in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer or by hand until creamy.

Step 2

Crack the eggs into the bowl. Add the milk. Beat again until just combined.

Sift in the flour and cocoa powder.

Step 3

Fold everything together until the batter is smooth and even.

Step 4

Line a 12-hole muffin tray with muffin cases. Divide the batter evenly between them, making sure to level off so that the cupcakes rise evenly.

Step 5

Bake for about 20 minutes or until risen and firm. A skewer pushed into the centre of a cupcake towards the middle of the tray should come out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

Step 6

Make the buttercream. Put the softened butter in a large bowl and whisk until creamy.

Sift in the icing sugar, cocoa powder then add the milk and hot water. Start whisking together, slowly at first and then building speed once the icing sugar is incorporated. It will take several minutes of whisking to get a light and smooth frosting.

Step 7

Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a French tip or open star nozzle and pipe tall swirls on top of the cake, retaining a little frosting to use as glue in the final steps. Add the reindeer details. Place a giant chocolate button on top of each cupcake, just below the centre. Dab the back of each Smartie with a little frosting and fix each on to the centre of a chocolate button.

Step 8

Position two candy eyes above each chocolate button. Finally, break one side of each of the pretzels (or leave them whole) and push them into the frosted tops of each of the cupcakes to form antlers.

Whistle while you work… or even better, while you WIN!

It’s fast-approaching the most wonderful time of the year, and for most families the most wonderful tradition is to enjoy a panto together – oh yes it is!

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is bringing a barrel-load of fun from Fri 1 Dec 2023 –Wed 3 Jan 2024, starring EastEnders’ Jame Bye and panto favourite Andy Collins. The festive production promises a traditional fairy tale with plenty of sparkle, audience participation and energetic song and dance numbers. Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to panto you go!

COMPETITION:

For your chance to win 4 x tickets to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Thursday 14 December at 6pm,* simply tell us the fruit that features in the classic fairytale a) Pomegranate b) Banana c) Apple

To Enter: Email your answer, name and town by Friday 1st December to: competitions@familieschiltern.co.uk

*Family ticket is 4 x tickets for max. 2 adults. Prize is for performance on Thursday 14 December 2023 at 6pm. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Visit atgtickets.com/aylesbury* (*Fees apply.) For full terms & Conditions, see: https://bit.ly/FamiliesChilternTCs

Win a family ticket to Beauty and the Beast

Starring Joe Mcfadden, Suzanne Shaw, La Voix and Jon Clegg, this year’s panto promises to be another truly spectacular festive experience for everyone. Beauty and the Beast will feature another awardwinning dazzling digital set, using LED screens with animated scenes and mesmerising effects, plus all of the usual ingredients you would expect to see in a truly memorable pantomime.

COMPETITION:

For your chance to win 4 x tickets to Beauty and The Beast at Wycombe Swan Theatre in High Wycombe, just answer the following question: a) Orchid b) Rose c) Lily

Which enchanted flower is given to the Prince in Beauty and the Beast?

To Enter: Email your answer, name and town by Friday 1st December to: competitions@familieschiltern.co.uk

*T&C’s: Open to UK residents aged 18+. Family ticket is for four tickets, including minimum of one adult. The winner will be chosen at random and contacted by Wycombe Swan to be booked into a performance of their choosing. Prize has no cash alternative and is non-transferable. For full terms & Conditions, see: https://bit.ly/FamiliesChilternTCs