If our neighborhood kids have any hope getting candy from us this year it’s solely because I made these cupcakes to distract Mr. Dessert For Two from the Halloween candy bowl. We have discussed his unusual predilection for mint (including peanut butter and mint jelly sandwiches). I’m afraid I’ve been abusing my powers with mint. Just this weekend, I filled my purse with my homemade peppermint patties and used them to ease him through the process of buying new furniture for our living room. We went into a store looking for a couch. After a few hours and a few peppermint patties, we came out with a couch, two chairs for sitting by the fireplace, and a gorgeous reclaimed wood table. The power of mint.
I hope y’all have a wonderful and safe Halloween! Stay out of the candy bowl ;)
Chocolate Mint Cupcakes
makes 4 cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
- 4 teaspoons canola oil
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
For the frosting:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 3 drops green food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 and line 4 cups in a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and instant espresso powder.
- In a small bowl, stir together the oil, vanilla, brown sugar and buttermilk. Stir well to dissolve brown sugar.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Divide the batter between the 4 cupcake liners and bake for 14-17 minutes, or until done. Let cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, beat together with an electric mixer the powdered sugar, butter, cream, peppermint extract and food coloring. Beat very well until fluffy. Frost cupcakes and serve.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 363Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 154mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 1gSugar: 39gProtein: 2g
Your cupcakes beat candy any day…. such a smart strategy:-)
Literally made mint chocolate chip cupcakes for the husband last night! :)
Wow, those cupcakes are seriously green! I’ve been known to bribe my fiance with food on several occasions too :-)
haha love the power of mint comment – i should try that same thing with chocolate chip cookies next time Nate and i have to buy anything big :)
peanut butter and mint jelly?? he can keep that one! these cupcakes as beautiful!
Reading about you bringing peppermint patties along to furniture shop TOTALLY cracked me up. I need to force my husband to go shopping for new dress clothes, and my plan is to entice him with a trip to DQ afterwards. Sweets are a super motivator!
you are so WISE Christina! I will remember this trick the next time I have to drag my husband to the shops!!!! These look amazing! Your peppermint patties are the very best too!
Hehe…so sneaky! I’m not a big mint-lover but I know that my boyfriend will go crazy for these. Next time I want him to do something, I’ll follow your example ;)
Peanut Butter and Mint Jelly????
Whaaaa???
That is just all kinds of wrong.
But these cupcakes are so right!!
I love the combination of mint and chocolate, as does Joe. Joe actually wanted to buy Halloween candy two weeks ago, but I told him that we couldn’t be trusted with candy in the house for that long. not to mention the fact that we live in an apartment with few kiddos to come trick or treating. :)
I was just thinking chocolate mint “something” yesterday and here you are with a Dessert For Two recipe! Your timing is impeccable. (As was your shopping coercing…I mean coping… strategy.) ;) Thanks, Christina, for the recipe and the smile for the day!
One of my favorite combinations! You can bribe me with mint too, hehe.
oMG. these look SO good for Christmas!!!
These are so much better than halloween candy!
Wonderful combination mint and chocolate. It would keep me out of the candy bowl for sure!
What beautiful looking cupcakes! And who doesn’t love the chocolate/mint combo? Perfect for avoiding Halloween temptation :) :)
Looks awesome! I love the combination of chocolate and mint.
I love chocolate and mint together! Delicious treat and smart colors for Halloween! Hope you have a fun time celebrating!
If I come by trick or treating, can I have these cupcakes instead of the candy, please? :)
I’ll have to pack my purse with candy next time my boyfriend and I go furniture shopping. Maybe I’ll get that pottery barn dresser I have been lusting after.
Yum! I love mint too! Now I have to ask, WHERE did you get those cupcake liners? I love them!
Hi Sarah! I just found your blog and I’m in love! :) I actually got these cupcake liners for free from a blog conference. Sorry, I wish I could help you more. They don’t have any brand info on them. Have you heard of Bake It Pretty? Maybe search gold liners there? :)
I made these tonight and they were perfect. The cupcake was light and moist and the frosting was a rich flavorful treat. Great for a Christmas treat!