These festive Christmas Cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate the season!
Made with an easy homemade chocolate batter and topped with a decadent chocolate peppermint frosting (so good you'll want to eat it with a spoon!), they're guaranteed to be a hit at any holiday gathering.
Don't forget to add a festive touch with a peppermint candy on top!
Check out all the other Christmas Snacks for even more delicious recipes.
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Christmas is just around the corner, so it's time to start thinking about festive snacks for Christmas parties. Why not make homemade Easy Christmas Cupcakes with peppermint chocolate frosting?
They're super easy to make and the combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint will bring Christmas cheer to any get-together. Plus, everybody loves a homemade treat!
They're simple to make and everyone will love them. Plus, you can leave a plate of these out for Santa on Christmas Eve. I think his reindeer love chocolate!
Looking for more easy desserts for Christmas snacking? Try my Reindeer Christmas Treats.
Table of Contents
- Can you make cupcakes with cake mix?
- Can you use brownie mix to make cupcakes?
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Baking Instructions
- Expert Tips
- Prepare the Homemade Frosting
- Frost the Cupcakes
- Before You Begin!
- Storage Tips
- More Christmas Recipes to Try...
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Can you make cupcakes with cake mix?
This recipe for Christmas Cupcakes is a homemade chocolate recipe, however, you can skip the from-scratch baking and grab a box of cake mix!
It's an easy and budget-friendly way to whip up a batch of festive treats. Don't feel like making frosting? No problem!
Use your favorite store-bought frosting and add some sprinkles for that extra holiday touch. You can even get creative with different cake flavors and toppings to please everyone.
Can you use brownie mix to make cupcakes?
Using a brownie mix to make cupcakes is a fantastic idea, especially during the holidays. It's a quick and easy shortcut that yields rich, fudgy cupcakes with a delightful chocolatey flavor.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
12-Cup Muffin & Cupcake Pans,More InformationCookie Scoop SetMore InformationCupcake,donut filling Injector/Decorating Icing Set/cakeMore InformationPancake /Cupcake Batter Dispenser ToolMore InformationCupcake CorerMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
- Milk
- Cocoa Powder
- Espresso Powder
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Sugar
- Oil
- Eggs
- Peppermint Extract
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Powdered Sugar
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you're not a fan of peppermint, you can easily flavor the frosting with vanilla extract or even almond extract.
- Decorate the cupcakes with fun Christmas sprinkles!
- Check out my other recipe for Reindeer Cupcakes, Chocolate Christmas Cupcakes or my Reindeer Cupcake Cake.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a saucepan, heat milk until simmering, then whisk in cocoa and espresso powder and set aside to cool. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Cream together butter and oil, then beat in eggs and peppermint extract until smooth.
Step 2: Pour in the cocoa mixture and beat until smooth, then fill the muffin pan with the batter.
Baking Instructions
Step 3: Bake for 15 to 17 minutes. Allow the cupcakes to cool while you prepare the homemade frosting.
Expert Tips
Before filling the cupcakes with batter, spray the paper liners with non-stick cooking spray so the cupcakes do not stick when removing after they're baked.
Cupcakes are completely baked when the internal temperature reaches 205° to 210°F. Or when you can insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out clean.
Prepare the Homemade Frosting
Step 4: Beat whipping cream to soft peaks, then add powdered sugar (whisked with cocoa powder) and peppermint extract. Continue beating until the frosting is thick.
Frost the Cupcakes
Step 5: Pipe frosting onto the cupcakes and chill until serving time. Just before serving, add a festive touch with a peppermint candy on top.
Before You Begin!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
Storage Tips
Refrigerator: Store the baked cupcakes in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: I find it best to freeze baked cupcakes without the frosting and then decorate once the frozen cupcakes have been defrosted.
More Christmas Recipes to Try...
📖 Recipe Card
Christmas Cupcakes with Chocolate Peppermint Frosting
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons espresso powder
- 2 cups flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¼ cups sugar
- ¼ cup oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
Method
- Preaheat the oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with paper liners.
- Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat. When the milk begins to simmer, whisk in the cocoa powder and espresso powder until well combined. Set aside and allow to cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the sugar and oil until well combined. Add the eggs and peppermint extract and beat to combine.
- Pour in the cocoa mixture and beat until smooth and mixed.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan and bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before icing them.
- To make the whipped cream frosting, add whipping cream to a chilled bowl and beat on medium speed until peaks begin to form.
- Whisk together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add the mixture to the cream along with the peppermint extract. Beat until the icing thickens and stiff peaks form.
- Pipe the frosting on top of each cupcake before serving
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Barbara at Mantel and Table says
Mmmmmmm! I love these! Thanks for all the tips - I'm so excited to try them!
Lois says
Thank you for visiting!
Janet says
These are so cute, and sound delicious. Can't wait to try them.
Lois says
Thank you Janet!