Peppermint Reindeer 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.

HOLIDAY CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes:
• Bake according to package instructions for cupcakes, adding 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to batter and substituting white cranberry juice for water.
• For the Peppermint White Hot Chocolate "CUP" cakes:
• Fill a zip top bag with icing. Snip a small corner of the bag and pipe icing onto each cupcake to look like whipped cream on top of the "cup".
• To add peppermint "handle" for the "cup":
• Poke a small hole in the side of each cupcake using a chopstick or tooth pick and fill the hole with royal icing. Insert one end of the "U" shape candy cane piece into hole and the other end into the icing to make your "cup" cake. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane pieces.
• For the Snowman Cupcakes:
• Using a butter knife or spatula, lightly frost the cupcakes.
• Flatten a large marshmallow on waxed paper with the palm of your hand. Cut a second marshmallow in half horizontally, then stack the first half flat on the first marshmallow to form a torso then the second on it's side for a head. Thread a pretzel stick or toothpick through the bottom to secure marshmallows and stick into cupcake top.
• Use royal icing to attach cake decorating dots as eyes and buttons. Add a wedge cut from an orange slice candy for a nose.
• For the Reindeer Cupcakes:
• Using a butter knife or spatula, lightly frost each cupcake.
• Break the pretzels in half, and insert into the top of each cupcake for antlers. Use blue candy covered chocolates to make eyes. Cut fruit by the foot to make a mouth and place the red gumdrop in the center for the nose.
• With a hand mixer, beat the egg whites with the lemon juice or extract until frothy. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined, smooth, and shiny. Turn to high and beat approximately 5 minutes until stiff and glossy. Add food coloring, if desired, and transfer to a pastry bag to pipe onto cookies or cakes.;

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.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT REINDEER CAKE

Steps:

• For the reindeer, make this cake recipe twice back to back.
• FOR THE CAKE:.
• Heat oven to 350. Place 3 cups of water in a saucepan and set on the stove with a high heat.
• In a stand mixer, blend sugar, milk, oil, eggs and vanilla. In a large mixing bowl combine dry ingredients. Slowly mix into wet and when just incorporated pour in one cup of boiling water. Pulse until thoroughly mixed and pour into two parchment lined Loaf tins. Bake 45 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Wrap and chill well before cutting and assembling cake.
• TO ASSEMBLE:.
• Slice your loaves into two layers. Mix buttercream frosting and spread generously between each layer. Sprinkle with chopped candy cane before stacking each new layer. Chill continuously to ensure cake keeps a firm shape. Once stacked, using a serrated blade, carve out general reindeer shape. Once desire form is taken do a smooth crumb coat using additional frosting. Do final coat using clean fresh frosting. Chill when it looks how you want it and use a fork to create added grooves and dimension.
• FOR THE ANTLERS:.
• Slightly melt candy canes in a 300 degree oven and bend into desire shapes (Watch your fingers, it's hot!). Adhere to one another by placing an end under a flame for a moment and sticking to a larger piece (They burn very quickly so be stealthy and don't be devastated if any are ruined). Once done pierce the top of you cake with a pointed end and coast delicately with white candy melts.
• FINISHING TOUCHES:.
• Finish by spraying with edible pearl spray and placing a bed of coconut around your reindeer. (If you're a terrible person and don't like coconut, you can also use powdered sugar or crushed candy canes instead. Paint on a glittery red nose for an extra festive touch!

PEPPERMINT REINDEER CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Remove paper liners from cupcakes. Cut in half crosswise; set bottom aside. Decorate the tops with candies for the 'eyes' and 'mouth'. Add sour cherry balls for the 'nose'. Break pretzels in half for 'antlers'.
• Spread 1 tablespoon ice cream over the bottom of each cupcake. Place decorated halves on top. Serve immediately or freeze for several hours before serving.