Kuchnia

Mint Chocolate Cupcakes



Yield: about 18 cupcakes
Ingredients:

For the chocolate cupcakes:
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
7 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup boiling water

For the mint frosting:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
Green food coloring, if desired

9 Andes chocolate mints, halved
Directions:

For the cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 standard muffin pans with 18 paper cupcake liners.

Combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into a large bowl. In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, mix together the egg, milk, oil, peppermint, and vanilla. Add the liquid mixture into the flour mixture and beat on medium speed with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue mixing on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes. Add boiling water and stir to combine.

Fill each cupcake liner three-quarters full with batter. Bake until tops are firm and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer muffin pans to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and let cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting:
Beat the confectioners’ sugar and butter until the mixture is crumbly, about 1 minute. Add the heavy cream, vanilla, mint extract salt, and food coloring (if using) and beat on high until sooth, about 3 minutes. Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a decorative tip and pipe onto each cupcake. Top each cupcake with half of an Andes mint.

http://www.handletheheat.com/