CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CUPCAKES!

   This comes from www.bhg.com.  These are fantanstic looking.  Can't wait to make a batch for some very special people.  These would also be nice because, who doesn't have some candy canes or peppermint just lying around after Christmas.  Don't just throw it away, put it to good use.  Enjoy!

Makes: 12 servings
Yield: 12 cupcakes

Prep: 50 mins Bake: 350°F 20 mins Cool: 5 mins

Average rating 4.0 from 4 reviews                                       

 

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 1/4
  cupsall-purpose flour
• 1/4
  cupunsweetened cocoa powder
• 1
  teaspoonbaking powder
• 1/2
  teaspoonsalt
• 1/4
  teaspoonbaking soda
• 1/4
  cupshortening
• 1/2
  cupsugar
• 1
  teaspoonvanilla
• 2
  egg yolks
• 2/3
  cupcold water
• 2
  egg whites
• 1/3
  cupsugar
• 1/3
  cupminiature semisweet chocolate pieces
• Creamy Peppermint Frosting
• 1/4
  cupcrushed peppermint candies
• Crushed peppermint candies (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and baking soda; set aside.

2. In a very large bowl, beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1/2 cup sugar and the vanilla. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Alternately add flour mixture and water to shortening mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.

3. Thoroughly wash beaters. In a large bowl, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Fold one-fourth of the beaten egg whites into chocolate batter to lighten. Gently fold in the remaining beaten egg whites. Gently fold in chocolate pieces. Divide among the prepared muffin cups.

4. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the centers comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely on wire rack.

5. Up to 4 hours before serving, prepare Creamy Peppermint Frosting. Cut cupcakes in half horizontally. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the frosting onto the bottom of each cupcake. Replace cupcake tops, pressing gently to spread frosting to edges.

6. Place the 1/4 cup crushed candies on a sheet of waxed paper. Roll sides of cupcakes in crushed candies to coat the exposed frosting. Pipe or spread the remaining frosting onto tops of cupcakes. If desired, sprinkle with additional crushed peppermint candies. Makes 12 cupcakes.

Creamy Peppermint Frosting

Ingredients

• 1/2
  cupbutter, softened
• 1
  7 ouncejarmarshmallow creme
• 1
  teaspoonpeppermint extract
• 4
  cupspowdered sugar
• 2
  tablespoonsmilk

Directions

In a large bowl, combine butter, marshmallow creme, and peppermint extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in milk. Gradually beat in remaining powdered sugar. If necessary, beat in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach spreading consistency.