~ Blogmas Day Four : Chocolate Lovers Cupcakes

Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

recipe from Anna Saccone

for the cupcake you will need :

two cups of all purpose flour

one and a quarter teaspoon of baking soda

one teaspoon of salt

a quarter teaspoon of baking powder

one cup of hot water

two thirds cup unsweetened baking cocoa 

three fourths cups of butter

                                                     one and a half cups of sugar

                                                    two eggs

                                                   one teaspoon of vanilla extract

* preheat oven to 350 degrees 

* in a medium bowl mix flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder and set aside

* in a small bowl combined cocoa powder and hot water until the powder is all dissolved

* in a large bowl beat the butter for thirty seconds, then beat in the sugar about a quarter cup at a time, then add the eggs one at a time, beating after each egg, and finally mix in vanilla.

* add flour and chocolate mix alternatively, one third flour, half chocolate, one third flour, half chocolate, one third flour.

* add in mint chocolate chips

* fill cupcake cases two thirds full and bake in oven for 18 - 20 minutes 

for the icing you will need :

 half cup of butter

three ounces of unsweetened baking chocolate - melted and cooled

two teaspoons of vanilla extract

three cups of icing sugar

three to four tablespoons of milk

* in a large bowl mix chocolate and butter.

* stir in icing sugar then beat in milk and vanilla until you get the consistency you like

* spread on cupcake

* sprinkle with crushed candy canes

enjoy : )