Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes

Perfect Dark Chocolate Cupcakes, filled with chocolate chunks and topped with a dark chocolate buttercream frosting, crushed peppermint candies and a candy cane! These Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes are easy to make, incredibly soft, delicate, and wonderfully moist.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword easy dessert recipes

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings cupcakes

Calories 273kcal

Author Nicole Cook

Ingredients

For Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes:

1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
⅛ teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons butter softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
¾ teaspoons peppermint extract
1 cup milk
¾ cup crushed peppermint candies
candy canes for garnish

For Dark Chocolate Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
½ cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
3 Tablespoons heavy cream
¼ teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons peppermint extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, dark cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the 2 eggs one at a time, beating well in between. Stir in the peppermint extract.
Add the flour mixture a little a time to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk; beat well.
Fill the muffin cups ⅔ full.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 to 17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Beat the butter on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
Add powdered sugar, dark cocoa powder, heavy cream, salt, and peppermint extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds or until incorporated.
Continue beating for about 2 minutes on high speed or until smooth and creamy
When cupcakes are cool, frost with Dark Chocolate Peppermint Buttercream Frosting. Crush some peppermint candies or candy canes and sprinkle on top. Add a candy cane for garnish.

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