Candy Cane Cupcakes Recipe! {with Mint Swirl Frosting}

This Candy Cane Cupcakes Recipe with Swirl Frosting is such a crowd-pleaser and always the star of Christmas dessert tables!

Following is a delicious Christmas Recipe and guest post
by Veronica at MorningNooNight… enjoy!!

Happy Holidays everyone! I hope in the midst of shopping and baking you have found some time to enjoy yourselves. But if not, how about you enjoy some of these fun Holiday cupcakes? (Really, it’s a win-win with these).

I just love the pairing of chocolate and mint, especially when THIS mint frosting includes delectable cream cheese.

These impressive cupcakes make the perfect work treat and will be the star of your holiday dessert table!

Related:

Frugal Gift Ideas for Everyone on your List!
90 Christmas Dessert Recipes – Best Easy Recipe List!

Candy Cane Cupcakes Recipe

Candy Cane Cupcakes Recipe!

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

18 mins

Total time

28 mins

Author: Veronica

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

¾ cup cocoa powder, sifted
¾ cup hot water
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1¼ teaspoons salt
1½ cups unsalted butter
2¼ cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temp
4 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup sour cream, room temp

For the Frosting:

½ cup unsalted butter, room temp
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon mint extract
2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 Red gel food coloring, for the swirl

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Line cupcake tins with paper liners.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and hot water until smooth, set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda/powder, and salt; set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and sugar over medium heat. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is completely melted. Remove the mixture from the heat and transfer to a large heat proof bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer.
Beat on medium for 4-5 minutes, until the mixture is cooled. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, being sure to scrape the sides as you go. Mix in the vanilla and then the cocoa/water mixture.
With the mixer on low, slowly add in your dry flour mixture, alternating with the sour cream (starting and ending with the flour mixture).
Pour batter into prepared cupcake tins, ⅔ of the way full, and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on your counter top or wire rack.
Now it's time to make the frosting!
In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium heat for a couple of minutes until smooth.
Add in the cream cheese and beat until just combined.
Slowly add in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until it is full combined.
Add in the vanilla and mint extract and beat just until incorporated.
Mix in the heavy cream, 1 Tablespoon at a time, until you have reached your desired consistency. *Milk can be substituted for the cream, but I love the thickness and richness the cream adds.
Ready to frost? Here's how you'll achieve the Swirl!
In your piping bag, using a toothpick, draw 2 parallel lines with your red gel coloring (on both sides).
Carefully spoon in your prepared frosting, cut a large tip on the bottom, and pipe frosting on to your cooled cupcakes.
I like to use 2 piping bags for this, and split the frosting in half, to achieve a brighter swirl.

What You’ll Need to Make This Recipe:

Mixer

Mixing Bowls

Muffin Tins

Cookie Cooling Rack

The mint isn’t too overpowering in these Candy Cane cupcakes and pairs so well with the smooth cream cheese frosting and dark chocolate cupcake.

Enjoy! And Happy Holidays! *recipe adapted from Glorious Treats

Veronica blogs at CookingMorningNooNight.blogspot.com! She has 2 beautiful boys who are her world, and a supportive husband who motivates her every day! She’s a self taught chef and loves to be experimental in the kitchen. She also loves to motivate other people to get in the kitchen and cook for the ones they love! Be sure to go join Veronica on Facebook, too!

I have even more amazing Christmas Dessert Recipes to share with you! You can never have enough dessert inspiration for Christmas…