Indulge in the Ultimate Chocolate Peppermint Swirl Cupcakes: Your Perfect Holiday Dessert
There’s something truly magical about the combination of rich chocolate and vibrant peppermint, especially during the holiday season. These Chocolate Peppermint Swirl Cupcakes are not just a dessert; they’re an experience – a festive bite that perfectly encapsulates the joy and warmth of Christmas. Imagine a tender, moist chocolate cupcake infused with a delightful peppermint swirl, generously topped with creamy, sweet frosting. It’s a flavor symphony that will instantly transport you to a winter wonderland, making them an irresistible treat for any festive gathering.
From My Kitchen to Your Screen: A TVJ Weekend Smile Feature!
You might have seen these delightful Christmas cupcakes making their grand debut on TVJ’s Weekend Smile! Yes, that’s right – I had the incredible opportunity to share these festive treats with a national audience. For those unfamiliar with Jamaica, TVJ is one of our prominent local news channels, and Weekend Smile is a beloved weekend morning show, a continuation of their popular weekday program, TVJ Smile Jamaica. It features various guests discussing a wide array of topics, and I was thrilled to be back on their set.
This was my third time appearing on the show – twice on the weekend edition and once on the weekday show. Each time is an absolute blast! The producers invited me to share not only my coveted boozy Christmas spiced eggnog recipe, but also perfect dessert pairings for eggnog (which naturally led to these cupcakes!) and a selection of thoughtful Christmas gifts for the foodies in your life. It’s always an honor to be invited back, and sharing my passion for baking, especially during the holidays, is truly a joy.
The night before, I always tell myself, “I’m totally chill.” Then I wake up with a playful thought, “What if I just ate all the cupcakes so I wouldn’t have to go on TV?” (Just kidding, of course! Who could eat 30 cupcakes at once? Though they are tempting enough!). After re-watching the segment (thank goodness for my dad recording it!), I genuinely believe this was my best appearance yet. I looked calm, cool, and collected, and honestly, I felt that way too, despite how incredibly fast the segment flies by. You blink, and it’s over! I’ll be sure to link the online video here once it’s available.
The Magic Behind These Chocolate Peppermint Swirl Cupcakes
Now, let’s talk about the stars of the show: these incredible Chocolate Peppermint Swirl Cupcakes. I must confess, I wasn’t always on board with the mint-chocolate trend, but these cupcakes completely changed my mind. I finally understand the craze! There’s an undeniable magic that happens when the vibrant, refreshing kick of peppermint meets the deep, luxurious notes of chocolate. The mint lightens the overall flavor profile while simultaneously adding a surprising depth and richness that truly has to be tasted to be believed.
The cupcakes themselves are wonderfully soft and velvety, a perfect canvas for the peppermint. We achieve that signature “swirl” by melting down peppermints and folding them into the batter. This method creates beautiful streaks of minty flavor throughout each bite, and as the peppermint melts ever so slightly when combined with the frosting, it delivers a delightful, subtle crunch that’s packed with flavor. While you could opt for a simpler route and add a dot of peppermint extract (a little goes a very long way!), I genuinely don’t regret the extra effort of creating the swirl. The visual appeal and unique texture it brings are well worth it. A pro tip: the peppermint flavor becomes even more prominent after a day, so consider making these a day in advance and storing them in airtight containers for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Perfect for Holiday Gatherings and Beyond
These chocolate peppermint cupcakes are absolutely ideal for any Christmas gathering. In fact, I’ll be baking another batch later this week for a festive get-together, likely the last delicious treat I’ll whip up before heading off for my own Christmas holidays. I’m dreaming of snow! Yes, in this very warm country, I’ve already tried on all my winter gear in an air-conditioned room, imagining myself amidst falling snowflakes. I know, the reality of winter might not be as whimsical, but a girl can certainly dream, right? These cupcakes perfectly complement that festive, hopeful spirit, making them a centerpiece at any holiday table.
The Heavenly Frosting: A Cloud of Sweetness
No cupcake is complete without a truly exceptional frosting, and the sweet, creamy topping for these Chocolate Peppermint Swirl Cupcakes is nothing short of heavenly. It’s the perfect counterpoint to the rich, mint-infused chocolate cake, adding a luxurious smoothness that ties all the flavors together beautifully. We’re talking about a luscious buttercream, light and fluffy, that melts in your mouth. A delicate pinch of salt balances the sweetness, and a touch of vanilla extract enhances its classic appeal. Once piped high onto each cupcake and generously adorned with freshly chopped peppermints, it transforms these simple treats into miniature works of art, ready to impress at any holiday party or family dinner.
The visual appeal of the vibrant red and white peppermint against the dark chocolate cake, topped with pristine white frosting, is simply stunning. They’re a feast for the eyes as much as they are for the palate. These cupcakes don’t just taste like Christmas; they look like it too! They’re proof that sometimes, the simplest flavors, when executed perfectly, can create the most memorable desserts. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is straightforward enough to ensure success, promising rave reviews from everyone who takes a bite.
Peppermint Swirl Chocolate Cupcakes
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Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup coffee water, 1 tablespoon of coffee in 1 cup water
Peppermint Swirl
- 15-18 peppermints
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
Frosting:
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 8 oz. unsalted butter, room temperature, diced into 1″ cubes
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- pinch of salt
- 3-6 tablespoons milk
Garnish:
- Chopped peppermints, in a food processor
Instructions
Peppermint Swirl
- Chop (in a food processor or by hand) peppermints.
- Add to a pot with corn syrup and heat on medium hight heat until melted, stirring continuously. Add up to 3 tablespoons of water if necessary if the peppermint begins to get sticky.
- Remove from pot when melted completely. Make this immediately before making the cupcake batter, or even after and add to the cupcakes.
Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 30 cupcake tins with liners.
- Add all of the dry ingredients together and mix until incorporated.
- Add the eggs, milk. oil and vanilla and stir.
- Add the coffee water bit by bit so as to avoid splashing as it will make the batter very watery.
- Add the peppermint swirl or 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract.
- Using a level scoop, pour batter into the liners.
- Bake for 22 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 3 minutes then remove until a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting
- Mix the unsalted butter, salt and the vanilla in a standing mixer or by hand until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time.
- Add the milk, 3 tablespoons first and the additional if necessary to thin out the frosting. Mix for 7 minutes minimum to blend until frosting is fluffy and white.
- Decorate the cupcakes by piping frosting on top, and adding chopped peppermints. Note that the peppermints will start to melt back together almost immediately after chopping so chop directly before adding to cupcakes.
Notes
After one day the peppermint flavour is even more prominent in the cupcakes, so consider making these a day in advance and storing in air-tight containers.
These Chocolate Peppermint Swirl Cupcakes are so good. Soft, chocolate-y and filled with peppermint, they’ll be one of your favourite Christmas cupcakes! The frosting is heavenly!
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.