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Supremely moist and decadent chocolate cupcakes topped with peppermint mocha frosting, a drizzle of chocolate ganache, and crushed candy canes. ← Can you think of a sweeter way to kick off the holiday season?
Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
I’m a huge fan of “Christmas flavors”. You know… the ones we look forward to indulging in all year long. Like eggnog, gingerbread, cranberry, snickerdoodle, pumpkin, and of course, peppermint mocha.
I love them all! But peppermint mocha may be my favorite… I blame Starbucks and their addicting peppermint mocha lattes. Have you had one yet this year?! I got my first fix of the season last week and each sip was as sweet as I remembered.
Chocolate + peppermint + mocha = so much yum.
↑↑↑ Today’s recipe includes all of those wonderful things.
So let’s get down to details.
I know many of you cringe at this word… but I’ve got to say it. These cupcakes are supremely moist! In fact, I will go as far as to say they are the most tender cupcakes I have ever bitten into. And these chompers have bitten into many cupcakes!
What makes them so soft? I’m glad you asked. For this cupcake recipe I took my already fabulous super decadent chocolate cupcake recipe, and gave it a peppermint twist.
The cupcake batter includes eggs, egg yolk, melted butter, oil, sour cream, and hot coffee. All of these ingredients add moisture and flavor to the cupcake, and I do not recommend leaving any of them out. This is a recipe I suggest following to a T. Why mess with perfection? 😉
P.S. If you’d like to make these cupcakes ahead of time – you totally can! These cupcakes may be frozen, unfrosted, for up to a month. Holiday party planning just got a whole lot easier, eh?
A cupcake is nothing without a generous swirl of fluffy frosting ♥♥♥
These cupcakes are topped with a rich peppermint mocha frosting that sounds (and tastes) a whole lot fancier than it is. In reality, it’s quite simple to make! Just a few basic ingredients whipped up until smooth and creamy.
The key to making bakery style frosting at home? Soft butter. You’ll want to leave your butter out on the counter for at least 30 minutes before beating it smooth. It should be a little softer than room temperature.
More Peppermint Mocha Recipes:
- No Bake Peppermint Mocha Cheesecake
- Peppermint Mocha Cookies
- Peppermint Mocha Chocolate Cake
- Oreo Peppermint Mocha Brownies
Finished with a drizzle of chocolate ganache and sprinkle of crushed candy canes, peppermint mocha chocolate cupcakes have plenty of pizzazz.
These peppermint mocha cupcakes are sure to perk up any dreary Winter day.
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment below and don’t forget to snap a pic and tag it #bakerbynature on instagram! Seeing your kitchen creations makes my day.
Peppermint Mocha Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes:
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil OR canola oil
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup full fat sour cream
- 1/2 cup hot coffee
For the Chocolate Peppermint Frosting:
- 3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 stick unsalted butter, very soft
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 3 to 4 tablespoons half and half (you can find this in the dairy aisle near the heavy cream)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
For the Chocolate Drizzle:
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
For the Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 12-cup cupcake/muffin tin with cupcake liners and lightly spray the liners with non-stick spray (optional but it does help them peel right off). Set aside.
- In a large, microwave safe bowl, melt the oil, butter, and chocolate in the microwave, heating in 30 second increments, and stirring in between each increment, until completely melted. Whisk mixture until completely smooth and set aside to cool.
- In a medium-sized bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt; stir together until thoroughly combined and set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, yolk, sugar and peppermint extract; beat until smooth.
- Add the cooled oil/butter/chocolate mixture and whisk until smooth. Add half of the flour mixture, then half of the sour cream. Repeat the process until everything is added, and be sure to mix until JUST combined. Quickly stir in the hot coffee - it's important not to over mix, here! Just stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Fill the prepared cupcake liners so that each mold is 3/4 of the way full (you'll have some leftover batter). Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.
For the Chocolate Peppermint Frosting:
- Sift together the confectioners sugar and cocoa powder, whisking well to ensure it's bump and lump free!
- Using a handheld mixer OR a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy; about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and slowly add the sifted sugar/cocoa powder, alternating with the sour cream and half and half, then add the peppermint extract and salt. Once all of the ingredients have been added, increase speed to medium-high and beat the frosting until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Frost cooled cupcakes and top with chocolate drizzle and crushed candy canes.
For the Chocolate Drizzle:
- Place chocolate in a medium-sized heat-proof bowl; set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the heavy cream until very hot, but not boiling. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and set it aside for 2-3 minutes. Whisk the cream and chocolate completely smooth; whisk in vanilla. Allow the chocolate to cool for about 5 minutes before spooning the on the top of each frosted cupcake. Sprinkle the wet chocolate with crushed candy canes.
These cupcakes look fantastic! Irresistibly good!
Hello from Australia! Your photos are simply stunning I have to say. I am no baker but you convinced me to try these cupcakes and I was not disappointed. SO fluffy and chocolatey and delicious. My mum thought they were from a bakery because I decorated them like yours in the photos. I wish I could show you! Thanks again for making me feel like a baker.
Jemma, Thank you! I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe. These chocolate cupcakes are one of my favorites!
oohhhhhh you make the prettiest cupcakes!!! I love how perfect these are for Christmas!!!!
Had to tell you what a hit these cupcakes are. I had a tough crowd to please, especially one gal who is a master baker. I needed to really impress her (which is a challenge to do) and she is a health conscious person to boot, but I have photos of her eating 4 cupcakes in one day, I was so excited to impress her! Now this recipe will be handed down to my daughter and so on, Thank you so much for posting this recipe! Cheers
Hollis, thank you so much for this comment – it made my night! I’m so happy this recipe could help you impress your friends 🙂 Now I’m craving a cupcake…!
I am wondering what Nozzle you used for these? 🙂 Can you provide an image? Or name please?
Bakernature,
Hi just a quick question can I substitute peppermint oil to the peppermint extract? Cause it’s really quite hard to find peppermint extract here in the Philippines! 🙁 and I would really love to try your recipe…
By the way your photos are amazing, I bet it taste so much better as well!
Thanks,
Shelly
Hi! I’m hoping to make these this weekend but curious if they peak in the middle or come out flat? Do they fluff up? I need to make 3 dozen so any idea of how much to fill the liners would be a huge help!
Hi! They come out with a small dome. I recommend filling the liners 3/4 of the way full for best results 🙂
Thank you for this amazing recipe! I followed it exactly (cupcakes only, topped them with whipped mint chocolate ganache) and they came out extremely moist and delicious! They rose beautifully and peeled from the greased liners well. My only “complaint” was that I had enough of this batter to make 2 dozen cupcakes; my husband is thrilled. 😉 I’m new to your blog but I will definitely be subscribing!
You’re SO welcome, Justine 🙂
So question? We don’t drink coffee and I was wondering if there is a substitute that I can use or if it’ll be ok without
I’m an experienced baker, but it’s been a long time since I’ve made cupcakes. I had some leftover crushed peppermint candy to use and this picture inspired me to get back into the cupcake game. I did make two minor changes (at least I thought they were) – I used dark cocoa powder (because that’s what I had on hand) and I didn’t have peppermint extract so I used triple the amount of peppermint schnapps. The cupcake tins were filled to the top, but the recipe said 12, so I went with it. They ended up with mushroom tops and ran into each other. At 16 minutes they were nowhere near done, nor at 18 minutes. I added another 5 minutes to finish them off. I think this would have been better as 13 cupcakes (which still leaves a nice dozen after the cook samples one). Have the size of cupcake tins been super-sized in the last 10 years? The frosting was very stiff (the butter had softened for more than an hour) and I kept adding more liquid to it. I put the crushed peppermint on the frosting the night before. When I brought them to work the next day, the peppermint had kind of melted and gotten chewy. I seem to recall that happening to me in other recipes with crushed peppermint. I gueess you have to make them and eat them on the same day.
Do these cupcakes have to be refrigerated?
I would recommend it if you’re not planning on serving them within a few hours of baking. I’d also suggest bringing them to room temp before serving.
Has anyone tried using hot cocoa instead of hot coffee? I’m not a coffee drinker, but I LOVE hot cocoa.