Peppermint Cupcakes Food

PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake or muffin pan with 24 regular-size cupcake liners.
• Combine the chocolate chips and hot coffee together, stirring occasionally until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. In a large bowl sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer until thickened slightly. Slowly add the buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Add the melted chocolate mixture to the eggs, and combine completely. Add the sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until well combined.
• Fill the prepared cupcake liners three-quarters full with the cupcake batter. Place in the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 18 to 21 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the Chocolate Ganache and the Peppermint Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting. Put the frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.
• To assemble: Using an apple corer, remove the center of each cupcake. Fill each cupcake with a spoonful of the Chocolate Ganache. Using the frosting-filled pastry bag, frost the cupcakes. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
• Bring the heavy cream and butter to a simmer in a small saucepan. Turn off the heat and add in the chocolate. Stir the mixture until smooth. Set aside to cool.
• Whip together the butter and marshmallow cream, using an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Add the peppermint extract. Slowly add 2 cups of the powdered sugar and continue to mix on a slow speed. Add the milk and additional powdered sugar, up to 2 cups, until desired consistency is reached.

PEPPERMINT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Place the candy canes in a food processor or blender and grind to a fine powder.
• Line two muffin pans (12 cups each) with cupcake liners and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Blend dry cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and peppermint extract in a mixing bowl at low speed for 30 seconds, beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Fold in 1/4 cup of the candy cane powder, reserving the rest.
• Divide batter among muffin pans and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean after stuck into the center.
• Once cupcakes are removed from oven cool them completely.
• While cupcakes are cooling, stir remaining candy cane powder into the vanilla frosting.
• Frost cooled cupcakes and enjoy, or store in an airtight container.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MINT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
• Whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center. Add the buttermilk, oil, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract and the eggs to the well and whisk together until there are just a few streaks remaining. Add the chocolate chips and fold them into the batter with a rubber spatula until just combined.
• Using an ice cream scoop, fill each cupcake liner about halfway to two-thirds full with batter. Bake until set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few a crumbs, about 25 minutes. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
• Meanwhile, place the frosting in a medium bowl. Fold in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, then add the broken candy and fold together using a rubber spatula. Place a dollop of frosting on top of each cupcake and use an offset spatula to spread. Dust the tops with red sprinkles, if using.

PEPPERMINT ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• For the Cake: Place the 12 egg whites in a very large mixing bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Sift confectioners' sugar and flour together 3 times.
• Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until soft peaks form (tips curl).
• Gradually add 1 cup granulated sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight).
• Sift about one-fourth of the flour mixture over beaten egg whites; fold in gently. Repeat sifting and folding in the remaining flour mixture three more times, using one-fourth of the flour mixture each time.
• Divide batter in half.
• Fold extract and food coloring into one half.
• Alternately spoon pink and white batters into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan.
• Gently cut through batter with a knife, swirling gently.
• Bake cake on the lowest rack in the preheated 350 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched.
• Immediately invert the cake in the pan, standing the tube pan on its legs or resting the center tube over a tall-necked bottle. Cool thoroughly.
• Remove cake from pan.
• Frost with Pink Peppermint Frosting when cake has cooled thoroughly.
• Serve at room temperature.
• Store any leftover cake in refrigerator.
• For the Pink Peppermint Frosting: Place the 2 egg whites in a bowl.
• Let stand 30 minutes.
• In a 2-quart saucepan mix the 2/3 cup granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil. Boil gently, without stirring, for 5 minutes.
• Beat egg whites using an electric mixer at medium to high speed until soft peaks form (tip curl).
• Slowly add hot syrup to egg whites, pouring in a steady stream, while beating.
• Continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form (tips stand straight).
• Beat in 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and enough red food coloring to tint frosting pink.