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These moist Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes with peppermint buttercream frosting are the only chocolate cupcake recipe you need this holiday season!
These babies are so incredibly moist and the white chocolate truffles stuffed in the middle are an added bonus. Trust me, these cupcakes are worth the splurge!
A fun surprise ingredient in these cupcakes is white chocolate peppermint truffles. The chocolates stuffed inside the batter make them over-the-top amazing! You can also substitute the truffles for dark chocolate peppermint patties. I've also used the Andes peppermint crunch baking chips sprinkled into the batter with great results. If you want a more subtle bite of peppermint bliss, then go with the baking chips. You'll end up with a fluffier cupcake with little bits of peppermint flavor in each bite. The truffles make them denser with an ooey-gooey center.
Tips For Making Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
Don't be alarmed by the thin batter, they will rise beautifully and bake up over the truffle. This secret ingredient makes these dark chocolate peppermint cupcakes extra tasty and super moist. They are even better after they chill in the refrigerator overnight in an airtight cupcake container.
Make sure that you store these in the fridge if you're not serving them right away, since they have whipped cream and milk in the frosting. Also, wait until right before serving to sprinkle the peppermint candies on top, because they tend to melt into the frosting.
All of the textures going on in a bite of this cupcake is nothing short of bliss. The crunch of the peppermint candy contrasted with the smooth and creamy peppermint vanilla buttercream is the perfect compliment to the moist chocolate cake.
If the chocolate peppermint combo is your jam, give this Chocolate Peppermint Bark a try from my friend Kim at Cravings of A Lunatic. It's a great easy holiday recipe and makes a great gift!
Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Buttercream
Ingredients
- For the cupcakes:
- 1 ¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup grapeseed oil
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- *Optional ingredient:
- 30 chocolate truffles or mini peppermint patties for stuffing My favorites are: Lindor's White Chocolate Peppermint truffles, mini peppermint patties, or Andes baking chips sprinkled into the batter
- For the frosting:
- 2 sticks butter softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- 3-4 tbsp whole milk
- 3-4 tbsp heavy cream
- ¼ cup crushed candy cane pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line 30 muffin tins with cupcake liners and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Add remaining ingredients, except boiling water and chocolates and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Stir in boiling water and pour into cupcake liners, filling about ⅔ full (this batter is thin, so don't be alarmed)
- Add a truffle (or peppermint chocolate of your choice) in the center of each cupcake.
- Bake for 23-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean (the center where the chocolate is will look a little wet, this is ok)
- Cool completely on wire racks before frosting.
- To make frosting:
- Whip softened butter in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy
- Add vanilla, peppermint extract and ⅓ of the powdered sugar
- Blend until creamy, then add half of the milk and cream and another third of the powdered sugar, scraping down the bowl occasionally
- Add the remaining milk and cream and sugar and blend until smooth, creamy and spreadable
- Frost cupcakes using your favorite decorating tip and sprinkle with crushed peppermint
Notes
Nutrition
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itzia
My favorite is Mexican hot chocolate cupcakes.
Amee Livingston
Those sound amazing, Itzia!
Donna Jaworski
These cupcakes look amazing! I can't wait to try the recipe!
Amee Livingston
Thank you Donna!
Beverley
You know I love cupcakes every which way and your recipe sure is one to try. The addition of a truffle to the centre makes my mouth water. You are such a tease and thank you for introducing me to so many new pages xoxo
Amee Livingston
That's a big compliment coming from the cupcake queen herself! Thank you, Beverly! xo~
mary tarrant
my favorite is divinity....fixing to try and make some !! wish me luck !!
Amee Livingston
Oh, I love that, too Mary! I'm sure it turned out amazing!
Liz
What fabulous holiday cupcakes! I love the surprise addition in the center---so yummy!
Amee Livingston
Thank you, Liz! I love surprises. 🙂
Elizabeth Shaw
What a cool concept, I love this! Such a unique idea! I hear you- sometimes it's about that dietary sanity and it makes all the stars align. Hey- balance and moderation is where it's at! I love to splurge on this heavenly peanut butter chocolate cake from the bakery that made our wedding cake. I simple swapped it once, it just wasn't the same lol!
Kelster
I'm drooling over these cupcakes. So perfect for Christmas. The only sweet I make for Christmas is a fruit cake. But that will change with these cupcakes.
Amee Livingston
I hope you love them Kelster!
Bella H
For the past few years we've enjoyed making sugar cookies with crushed candy-cane and drizzed melted chocolate chips on top 🙂
Amee Livingston
Love those, Bella!
Erica
Peanut Butter Balls!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life
These cupcakes are stunning! And I can never turn down anything with buttercream!
Amee Livingston
Thank you Michelle!
Alexandra
I was so excited to try this recipe for a new flavor profile I had yet to do with cupcakes! Unfortunately, I'm not sure what happened but I followed directions to the T and somehow the Lindt truffles all sunk and melted on the bottom creating a hard crunchy glob that stuck to the cupcake liners. The frosting however, turned out wonderful! Would use this recipe again but would make a few tweaks. Thanks!
Amee Livingston
Hi Alexandra! Yes, the chocolates do melt, but I loved how super moist it made the cupcakes. You could definitely leave those out. 🙂 Glad you loved the frosting!