Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes
Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes
Hey there, and welcome back, friends.
You are in for a holiday treat!
Peppermint mocha cupcakes are a decadent dessert, with plenty of coffee flavor and fluffy peppermint Swiss meringue buttercream. Perfect for the peppermint lover!
Oh hey, it’s Friday and we are having some cupcakes!! We started the week with a slice of white chocolate pomegranate cake and now we are ending the week with some peppermint mocha cupcakes.
You guys, I love the holidays!! It’s the only time of the year you can enjoy so many great flavors and my absolute favorite of course is peppermint. I think it should be illegal to not sell peppermint things year-round (just saying).
Anyway, I digress.
Peppermint mocha cupcakes are a holiday classic over here, as I confessed a few posts ago.
These cupcakes (or some form of it) have always been on my menu during the holidays since Naomi shared them.
And guess what? My friend Emily over at Pink Tiger in the Kitchen loves peppermint mocha just as much. In fact, we both baked these cupcakes on the same day this weekend and she posted hers on Instagram.
Immediately we decided to post them on the same day (blogging date) and have a peppermint mocha party!
These peppermint cupcakes taste just like the latte that inspired them. The cupcakes are decadent, moist, dark mocha chocolate cakes, thanks to a good dose of hot coffee and a heaping tablespoon of instant coffee.
The cupcakes are topped with whipped and creamy peppermint swiss meringue buttercream. So so good my friends. These cupcakes need to be made. That’s really all I can say, folks!
Enjoy the peppermint mocha cupcakes… here’s the recipe!
Peppermint Mocha Cupcake Ingredients
These festive holiday peppermint mocha chocolate cupcakes only require a few ingredients to make.
- all-purpose flour
- some sugar
- unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder
- baking soda
- salt
- unsalted butter
- a few eggs
- peppermint extract
- some instant coffee
Peppermint Mocha Cupcake Recipe
How to Make Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes
Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners.
Sift together all the dry ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer.
In a medium bowl, combine all the wet ingredients using a whisk. Add the instant coffee to the wet ingredients.
Mix the dry ingredients at low speed for 1 minute. Stop the mixer and add half of the wet ingredients.
Mix for a minute on medium speed and scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix for an additional minute on medium speed. The batter will be thin. Divide evenly among the cupcake liners.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean.
Cool the cupcakes on wire racks completely. Meanwhile, you could start on the frosting.
For Peppermint Swiss Meringue Buttercream
Whisk together sugar and egg whites in a heatproof mixing bowl set over (not in) a pan of simmering water. Whisk until warm and sugar are dissolved (mixture should feel completely smooth when rubbed between your fingers), 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
With an electric mixer on medium speed, whisk egg white mixture for 5 minutes (using the whisk attachment). Increase speed to medium-high, and whisk until stiff, glossy peaks form and meringue has cooled (test by the feeling bottom of the bowl), about 6 minutes.
Reduce speed to medium and switch to the paddle attachment. Add butter, one piece at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in peppermint extract.
Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
I used Wilton tip 1M to frost these cupcakes and topped them with chocolate ganache.
Can I use Peppermint Essential Oil instead of Peppermint Extract?
Yes, you can use peppermint essential oil instead of peppermint extract to flavor this peppermint cupcake recipe.
I’m not sure how much peppermint essential oil you would need. I suggest you taste the batter after every drop you add to the peppermint essential oil.
More Peppermint Chocolate Recipes
What do you think of this festive peppermint mocha cupcake recipe? What would you serve with these cupcakes? Let me know in the comment section below.
If you share across social media, make sure to tag #aclassictwist, so I can see your beautiful creation come to life!
Happy baking, friends!
Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes
Peppermint mocha cupcakes are decadent, moist, dark mocha chocolate cakes, with a dose coffee for extra flavor! Here's the recipe. Peppermint lovers unite!
Ingredients
Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes:
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- ⅓ cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and warm
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee (I used Starbucks Via medium roast)
- ½ cup hot coffee
Peppermint Swiss Meringue Buttercream:
- 5 egg whites, room temperature
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cup (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
Instructions
For the Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners.
- Sift together all the dry ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer.
- In a medium bowl, combine all the wet ingredients using a whisk. Add the instant coffee into the wet ingredients.
- Mix the dry ingredients at low speed for 1 minute. Stop the mixer and add half of the wet ingredients. Mix for a minute on medium speed and scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix for an additional minute on medium speed. The batter will be thin. Divide evenly among the cupcake liners.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean.
- Cool cupcakes on wire racks completely. Meanwhile, you could start on the frosting.
For Peppermint Swiss Meringue Buttercream:
- Whisk together sugar and egg whites in a heatproof mixing bowl set over (not in) a pan of simmering water. Whisk until warm and sugar is dissolved (mixture should feel completely smooth when rubbed between your fingers), 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- With an electric mixer on medium speed, whisk egg white mixture for 5 minutes (using the whisk attachment). Increase speed to medium-high, and whisk until stiff, glossy peaks form and meringue has cooled (test by the feeling bottom of the bowl), about 6 minutes.
- Reduce speed to medium and switch to the paddle attachment. Add butter, one piece at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in peppermint extract.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- I used Wilton tip 1M to frost these cupcakes and topped them with chocolate ganache.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Bakers Royale
I am peppermint mocha OBSESSED so obviously I need these in my life. Year-round. For sure.
Yes, Year round!!! They need to seriously sell more peppermint things all year round.
These cupcakes look incredible Zainab! I can’t get enough of peppermint and chocolate lately so these sound awesome! Love the peppermint infused SMB, it sounds so perfect and creamy with the peppermint mocha cupcakes! Gorgeous and so festive, pinning 🙂
I know Kelly! I can’t get enough of peppermint even though I think it may be too much lol! Thanks for your sweet comment. Have a great weekend.
Peppermint and mocha is such a terrific combo, I love it! And these cupcakes look lovely, they’re so pretty and festive! Gorgeous pics too 😉
Thanks Consuelo!
Yay for a peppermint mocha cupcake party!! Your cupcakes look gorgeous as always and I love your wrappers!! Plus new camera photos…. stunning!!
Thank you so much dear! I’m so glad we had a double date hahah. Peppermint mochas always make me happy. I’m thinking we need to do this again because we have lots in common 🙂
Zainab, these are gorgeous! I am totally sold on these… I need to give these a try and, what do you know, I have all the ingredients!!! 🙂 The pictures came out great with your new camera and have a great time in MN!!!
Yay! You should totally make them. So easy and it’s a great chocolate recipe for something else. The am you so much!
I am a peppermint lover and these have my name written all over them. So perfect and beautifully presented, Zainab!
Toodles,
Tammy<3
Awe thanks Tammy! You should make these soon. You will love them.
I just love these cupcakes, what a great holiday classic! I hope you have a great time with pillsbury!
BTW- your pictures look fabulous!
Thank you Ashley!! Pillsbury was fun and I’ll fill you in next week once I get my game together lol
omgosh these cupcakes are SO prettyyyyy! and festive! and omg YUMMehhhhhhh!
Thank you Kayle!! You are too sweet :). Hope you are having a great weekend. By the way, have you gotten used to wearing a ring yet? I almost lost mine a few times lol
I love peppermint mochas waaaaaaaay more than the pumpkin spice lattes (so overrated). These cupcakes are like a dream come true. Yum!!!!
Thanks Jamie! I agree with you, peppermint mochas are so much better!! Always perfect.
these cupcakes are decadent and to die for….so good 🙂
Thank you!!
Gosh, Zainab. These look so delicious.
The pictures look great! <3
Thank you dear Graham!!
Your pix look stunning!! I was so overwhelmed when I first got my camera – looks like you mastered it right off the bat! And these cupcakes – wow! What a perfect treat for Christmas! The Pillsbury event looks like so much fun. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Cate thank you very much! I’m so overwhelmed with the camera but I’m making my way through the manual as we speak lol! It’s my in-flight reading lol. I’m looking forward to read about your Paris trip…just saw it on bloglovin!
These look gorgeous, I bet they taste incredible too!
Thanks!! They are incredible…simple but good cupcakes! Hope you are having a great weekend.
These look delicious and sound delicious! I also love mocha and peppermint together!
Gorgeous, gorgeous, mouthwatering cupcakes! Chocolate and mint is my absolute favorite flavor combo. Congrats on the new camera – the photos are beautiful! I cannot believe you were shooting with a P&S before – I assumed you’d had a DSLR all along!
Thank you so much Nora! I was on a P&S this whole time and I grew out of it. I am loving the new camera but it’s so complicated lol!
OH EMM GEE! Thanks for posting this delicious recipe for all us chocoholics! Happy SITS!
Thanks Regina!!
Amazing job on these cupcakes, they just scream happy delicious holidays!
Thanks Pamela!!
You make the prettiest cupcakes. I would love to have one or two or three of these. Happy Holidays!
Thanks Emily! Cupcakes are my favorite to make to be honest…so easy lol! Happy Holidays to you and Mr J.
Love these beauties Zainab! I love chocolate and peppermint together and you did these cupcakes beautifully. Pinned! 🙂 Have a great week!
Thank you Anne! Hope you have a great week too.
The pictures are beautiful!! I just want to dive into one of these pretty cupcakes!!
Thank you very much Renee 🙂
What a fun bake date! Is it totally cliche that I want to wash this down with a peppermint mocha latte?
hahha it is absolutely perfect. I did have one with a mocha from Starbucks and it was a great match!! Hope you have a great week!
Your photos look amazing, Zainab! I bet you are loving that camera! And these cupcakes, well, these look magnificent. I wish I had one right now. Great job! Pinned and sharing on social media. Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Mondays. I hope you have a wonderful week!
Thank you very much Julie. You always make me smile with your comments :). I am enjoying playing around with this new baby but it’s so complicated. I’m taking my time though. Thank you so much for all the purchasing advice. Hope you have a great relaxing week!
swiss meringue scares me!! can you make it for me? Looks like we were both in the peppermint mood as I posted something similar! tis the season! Your photos looks awesome, but I don’t think you needed any improvement! Perhaps you should make more yummy things and post more yummy pictures so I can really tell the difference?! happy holidays! can’t wait to hear about the Pillsbury event!
These look so good! I also just made chocolate peppermint cupcakes, and I think it’s safe to say it’s definitely a trend this season. I see the difference in your photos but they were also fabulous before! Pinning!
Thanks Jessica!! I loved your cupcakes and especially that they were featured on TV!! So amazing.
Gorgeous cupcakes, Zainab!
Thanks dear!
Beautiful (and festive) cupcakes! And I love the new camera…keep ’em coming!!
Thanks David! I am excited about the new camera. It is definitely complicated but I love that about it. Working my way through the manual for now lol!
Your cupcakes are beautiful! I love the pepermint candy on top and the festive wrapper, is that what its called 🙂
Thanks Shamene. I think that’s what they are called lol! As long as they are festive I am game. Happy Holidays 🙂
What gorgeous cupcakes Zainab! Mocha and peppermint are just ridiculously yummy 🙂
Thanks Trish. I can’t seem to get enough peppermint. Working on getting those cookies from last week up before it’s too late.
These are SO gorgeous! Pinned!
Thanks Dorothy!! Happy Holidays 🙂
These look amazing! How many cupcakes will this recipe make?
Thanks Britni. They make about 12 cupcakes.
Wow, these are just so beautiful I can’t even stand it! I seriously HAVE to make these! Thanks for sharing at Saturday Night Fever – pinning now!
Thank you so much Jen for sharing!!
LOVE this picture! Thanks for linking up to Eat. Create. Party. So looking forward to seeing what you bring next! Shared in some Facebook like love! xoxo San
Thank you very much for sharing and the FB love!!
These look amazing! I love all things peppermint…perfect for our Christmas party! They are one my weekend baking list! Silly question, but is the coffee brewed or just the instant coffee grounds?!?! Thank you!
Hi Hannah! Thanks for the sweet comment. These will be perfect indeed for a Christmas party. I used instant espresso powder and dissolved in hot water. You can use brewed coffee too if that is easier. Please let me know how they turn out for your party 🙂
This looks scrumptious! I would love for you to come join my link party at http://ihearthandson.blogspot.ca/2013/12/show-off-friday-no-9-plus-features.html
I look forward to seeing more posts from you.
Have a great weekend and happy holidays!
Jenn @ IHeartHandsOn
they are so festive and yummy looking!
These are so festive looking! Gotta love chocolate peppermint combo!
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they are wonderful but how do I get the icing thicker mine is runny? Thanks for the recipe and those are beautiful pictures!
I had the same problem. Its nice and thick until I add the butter. Then I tried it without the butter and added just the peppermint and it instantly gets thin. I tried three batches. Im so upset cause I really wanna use this recipe.
Your cupcakes are beautiful! I love the pepermint candy on top and the festive wrapper, is that what its called 🙂