Hey guys guess what? This is my first post of something that I baked after having a baby! I’m pretty darn proud of myself. (Though I really can thank my Mother-in-law whose visit last week is likely how I managed this.) Anyway- I’m a mom now (!!!) and finding time to bake things usually entails crossing my fingers that Hugo stays sleeping in his little chair while I try to make things happen in the kitchen. So far I think *maybe* I can actually keep up this baking/blogging thing- but every day brings new changes and challenges so you never know.
I love these cupcakes because they are bursting with the flavors of one of my favorite candies- peppermint patties! Not only is one baked right into the center of this cupcake, but the creamy frosting, dark chocolate cake and candy on top all make this into a chocolate-peppermint-lover’s dream. I thought my sweet tooth would dissipate after pregnancy, but no such chance. (Which makes losing my baby weight a challenge.) Either way- I devoured this cupcake and feel so good to be back in the saddle! Hopefully I’ll have lots more delicious recipes in the coming weeks- either way, thanks for your patience! :)
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons dark cocoa powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 24 peppermint patties
- 1½ sticks of butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- ⅛ tsp of peppermint extract
- a few drops of green food coloring
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside.
- Stir together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add water, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.
- Fill each cupcake liner half-way with batter. Top with a peppermint patty and then with another dollop of batter- ending up to be about ⅔ of the way full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.
- Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter until smooth and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, a cup at a time, until mixture is dry and and almost crumbly. Add the extract, food coloring, and then milk- a little at a time until frosting is smooth, creamy and spreadable.
- Pipe or spread frosting onto cupcakes and top with a peppermint patty.
Orla says
Wow Audra, these look great! So good to hear you and Baby Hugo are doing well! :) These cupcakes remind me of my After Eight Cupcakes. After Eights are the British version of Peppermint Patties!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
Love these cupcakes… way to go making them with the baby!!!
Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe says
These cupcakes look so adorable! I’m not a big fan of mint but I guess I can substitute it with some other flavor and keep that amazing and super chocolate-y base! Baby Hugo must be the cutest and quietest little boy ever!
xo, Elisa
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
Peppermint paddies are pretty much my life.
And cupcakes? YES PLEASE.
Congrats on the first post-baby baking! You NAILED IT!
Joanne says
WOOHOO to you getting in the kitchen post-baby! I am uber impressed. LIke, whoa.
Also, these are SO what I’m making for the.boy’s birthday in a few weeks! He is the biggest mint chocolate lover I know!
Elaina says
great blog! i’ll be using it as inspiration for mine!
Sue says
These were great – thanks, Audra
Johlene says
This looks devine!! I love the flavour combination of mint and chocolate! Congrats on the birth of your baby, he is simply gorgeous! My baby is nearly 4 and it seems he was born yesterday, enjoy every moment.. Xx
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
great job!!! You’re doing such an amazing job juggling everything! These cupcakes look so tasty and minty and yummyyy!
Rochelle @ Oh So Sweet Baker says
Minty chocolatey goodness all in a cupcake with a surprise in the middle. Yummy
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
These look so good!!!
Nicole @ Culinary Cool says
Way to go Mama, it will get easier with time and I’m sure you won’t skip a beat. Major score with these cupcakes! You can’t go wrong with chocolate and mint.
Heidi says
These sound perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!! I thought my sweet tooth would mellow out post-pregnancy, but nursing just made it rage more. So, there’s that… ;)
Lily @ Life, Love, and Cupcakes says
Congrats on the baby!!! I’m definitely bookmarking these for March St. Patty’s recipes!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says
Mmmm perfect color and flavors for St Patrick’s Day! My little guy is about to turn 3 months and I finally feel like he takes a steady 3 hour nap during the afternoon which gives me just enough time to cook/bake. I love him for allowing me that me time!!! Hang in there the naps will get more consistent.
Francesca says
I’m super impressed by baking rather than resting in your spare time! You rock!
Rachael says
These look amazing! I’ve never seen Peppermint Patties in the UK, so I’m going to attempt to make my own :)
Maribeth says
These were delicious, but my patties sunk to the bottom and fused to the cupcake liner – what did I do wrong?
Audra says
I just wanted to let you know that I changed the recipe and it should solve the patty-stuck to liner problem! :)
Kelly says
I had the same problem as Maribeth- my patties also sunk to the bottom and fused to the cupcake liner. Did you put the patties on top of all of the batter and let them sink as they baked?
Audra says
Oh shoot. I have no idea why that happened. I am going to re-test the recipe to see what’s up. I’ll make changes if needed!
Audra says
I finally got around to fixing the recipe Kelly- it should be much better now!
Kristine says
Hi! I’m making these right now and I just noticed that the instructions mention baking powder, but baking powder is not listed in the ingredients. Should it be included and at what measurement? My little market only had those big york patties, so I’m going to attempt them with junior mints. Crossing my fingers they turn out good!
Audra says
Sorry for that mistake! I will fix the recipe now :)
Cory says
Doesn’t look fixed. Still says to use baking powder, but doesn’t list it in the ingredients.
Avra-Sha Faohla says
I don’t see any eggs listed. Are they supposed to be absent in this recipe?
Audra says
Yep! No eggs in the cake
Emily says
I made these last night, and I just wanted to say that they came out absolutely perfect!! My boyfriend ate 5 in a row and the rest were gone within a few hours haha. The cake was moist and fluffy, even after being left out all night. I was also surprised how easy this recipe was too. By far the easiest cupcakes I’ve ever made. And to top it off, it’s super easy to make them look fancy! Pipe on some of the frosting and a york patty and you’re set.
PB says
Still don’t see the baking powder measurement.
PB says
Okay, so I added 1 tsp baking powder and it worked well!