Christmas Cupcakes!

 For a Christmas party this year I made these chocolate mint cupcakes. They are a moist chocolate cake with a mint butter-cream frosting and topped with a crushed candy cane ! I hope you enjoy these cupcakes as much as I did ! Merry Christmas! Layel

Chocolate Cupcakes: Thanks Pioneer Woman!

2 cups flour
2 cups
1/4 cup salt
1/2 cup buttermilk( if you don't have any you can substitute 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tablespoon vinegar)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 sticks butter
4 heaping ( or overflowing) tablespoons coco powder

In  a large bowl mix the four,sugar,and salt.
In another bowl mix the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, and baking soda.
In a sauce pan melt butter, add coco. while the butter melts heat 1 cup water to a boil. When your butter and coco is mixed add the boiling water and take off heat.pour the chocolate mixture into the flour mix. Stir with whisk till cooled slightly ( I like to sing happy birthday through once in my head ). Add the egg mixture and mix well. Place in your cupcake tin and bake on 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Mint Butter-cream Icing:

3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon mint extract (you can add more or less depending on how minty you want it)
1 1/2 tablespoons whipping cream

In a mixer using the whisk, mix the powdered sugar and butter. Mix on low until well blended. Increase to medium speed and beat for 3 minutes, it should be smooth. Add your flavoring and cream and continue to beat for 1 more minute. Add more cream if it is too thick.

Pipe or spread your frosting on your cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with crushed candy canes and enjoy!