Sean’s birthday was last week (he is officially a teenager now) and he invited a few of his friends over this past weekend to hang out and have some snacks and then have some cake. Since he did not want a traditional birthday cake while his buddies were here, he decided he would like some cupcakes instead. I went about trying to find something special when I came across this wonderful recipe on Sally’s Baking Addiction for these peppermint mocha cupcakes. They were the perfect thing for some teenage boys looking for a tasty and sweet snack and it fits the holiday season as well.
Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes
Cupcakes:
1/2 cup butter
2 ounces semisweet baking chocolate
1 heaping tablespoon instant coffee
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
12 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
Peppermint Vanilla Frosting:
1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
3 to 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Salt, to taste
Cupcake Decor:
4 ounce semisweet baking chocolate,melted
Crushed candy canes
For the cupcakes: preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set it aside.
Melt the butter and the chocolate together in the microwave. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring between each time. You may also melt the butter and chocolate over low heat on the stove top. Stir until the mixture is combined, then mix in the instant coffee. Set the mixture aside to cool slightly.
In a medium bowl, toss the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together until thoroughly combined. Set this bowl aside. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract and peppermint extract together until it is smooth. Add the cooled butter/chocolate and whisk it together until smooth. Add half of the flour mixture, then half of the buttermilk. repeat until everything is added together. Stir until it is just combined; do not overmix. The batter will be very thick, like pudding.
Divide the batter between the 12 cupcake liners in the cupcake pan. Bake the cupcakes for 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Allow he cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
For the frosting: Beat the softened butter on kedium speed with an electric or stand mixer. Beat for about 3 minutes until it is smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract and peppermint extract with the mixer running. Increase the mixer to high-speed and beat for 3 full minutes. The longer you beat the mixture, the creamier the frosting will be. Add more powdered sugar if the frosting is too thin or more cream if the frosting is too thick. Add the salt if the frosting is too sweet (about 1/4 teaspoon).
Decorate the cupcakes: Frost the cooled cupcakes. There may be leftover frosting depending on how much you use on each cupcake. Drizzle the cupcakes with the melted chocolate and top with the crushed candy canes.
I really liked the flavor of the cupcakes. The hint of coffee with the peppermint may this cupcake delicious. This recipe does make a lot of frosting, so if you have something else you can use it for, go right ahead or make some extra cupcakes and you will be able to frost them. The frosting has a great mint flavor and adding the drizzled chocolate and the candy canes just topped everything off, literally. The boys really enjoyed them and each had at least one and we still had some leftover for the next day. i would make this again for sure. They are great for a party and would be perfect for a Christmas or holiday party as well.
That’s all I have for today. Check back next time for more recipes. I have a huge backlog of recipes I have made to post and not enough time to post them as I have been busy with work and Christmas stuff, but I will try my best to get everything on here. Until next time, enjoy the rest of your day and enjoy your meal!
