Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. peppermint extract
• 6 Tbsp. canola oil
• 1 Tbsp. white vinegar
• 1 cup cold water
• peppermint hard candies or candy canes, crushed
• *Peppermint Buttercream (recipe follows)
• - ¼ cup shortening
• - ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• - 1½ cups powdered sugar
• - 1 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream
• - ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• - ½ tsp. peppermint extract
• - 1-2 drops red food coloring

Directions

1. *Cupcakes:
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/ 175 degrees C.
3. In a Thatsa Bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour mixture and add the oil, white vinegar, and cold water.
4. Whisk until well combined.
5. Ladle into cupcake pan with liners.
6. Bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Move to a wire rack and cool completely.
8. Frost with Peppermint Buttercream using the Squeeze It Decorator, and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
9. *Peppermint Buttercream:
10. Using an electric mixer, whip shortening, butter and powdered sugar on medium speed for 3-4 minutes, or until fluffy.
11. Add heavy cream, vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Whip 1 minute, adding more heavy cream if necessary for a spreadable consistency.
12. Refrigerate 15 minutes to solidify slightly.

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