Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes Food

MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190 C (gas mark 5). To make the cupcakes, place the butter and sugar in a bowl and cream until smooth. Whisk the eggs separately, then add to the mixture along with the flour, until everything is mixed together.
• Then stir in the chocolate drops. Divide the mixture between 12 standard sized cupcake cases and bake in the oven for 14-16 minutes. Check that the the cakes are firm to the touch, and the move the cakes to a wire rack to cool.
• For the topping, cream together the butter and the icing sugar until creamy. Then add the vanilla extract, peppermint flavouring and the green food colouring stir well.
• Spread the topping over the cakes evenly using a knife, then scatter the chocolate sprinkles over the top of each cake.

WINNER MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP AND FRESH MINT BUTTERCREAM CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a cupcake or muffin pan with 12 regular-size cupcake liners.
• Place the light cream and mint sprigs into a small saucepan and cook gently for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
• Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder into a small bowl and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric stand mixer until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the eggs while mixing on medium speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again and switch to low speed. Alternate adding the flour mixture and 1 cup of the mint-infused cream, beginning and ending with the flour. Reserve the remaining cream.
• Finely chop the chocolate and mix into the batter by hand.
• Fill the cupcake liners two-thirds full with batter and bake until lightly golden, about 26 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in their pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
• For the buttercream: Beat the butter in the bowl of an electric stand mixer until pale. Add the mint-infused cream and continue beating. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the confectioners' sugar until a creamy, medium-stiff consistency is achieved.
• To assemble: Using a large, plain pastry tip, pipe the buttercream onto the cooled mint cupcakes. Garnish with a fresh mint leaf, if desired.

MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Gather refrigerated ingredients on the counter to bring to room temperature.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together the cake mix and oil. Press on the bottom of a 9" springform pan. Bake for about 10 minutes or until set. (if making cupcakes, bake for only a couple minutes and press into liners lightly). Set aside.
• Turn down oven to 275 degrees F. Place a pan half filled with water on the lowest rack.
• Beat cream cheese until fluffy on lowest speed. Gradually incorporate sugar, extract, and food coloring. One at a time, add the eggs, beating after each addition. Beat in flour until incorporated and stir in chocolate chips.
• Pour batter into cheesecake pan. Drop the pan on the table repeatedly to release air bubbles and draw a sharp knife around in the batter to draw up air bubbles.
• Bake for about an hour (if cupcake-sized, check after about 30 minutes). Do NOT open the oven door until the end of baking. To check if done, carefully move the pan. If the sides look firm and the center wobbles, the cheesecake is done. Turn off the oven heat and leave the cheesecake in the oven to cool with the door propped open. After an hour or so, let the cheesecake cool on the counter. When the sides of the pan are cool, put the cheesecake in the refrigerator. Do NOT cover the cheesecake (condensation will gather and drop water on top). A full-size cheesecake will be chilled enough to eat the next day, cupcakes can be eaten the same day once chilled.
• To decorate, melt the chocolate and mix with the corn syrup. Place inside a plastic bag, and cut a tiny hole into the corner of the bag. Pipe onto the cheesecake.
• To cut, run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe dry. Do this each time you cut a slice to get clean slices.