Peppermint Patty Cupcakes

I know.. they sound AH-mazing! 

They were :)

I had a request to make a cupcake with some kind of peppermint patty taste to it.. maybe a chocolate cupcake and mint frosting. As I was reading the text I thought back to a few months ago when I was searching through Pinterest for countless hours (doesn't everyone spend countless hours pinning things they SWEAR they will try only to forget they pinned it and repin it three weeks later??). I saw someone had posted a peppermint patty cupcake.

PERFECT!!

The only thing was I couldn't remember where it was and if I repined it. The only thing I remembered was that they put a patty inside the cupcake. Apparently that was all I needed to remember to decide that I needed to make them. Luckily (for me) he was on board with the suggestion. 

I decided to take a few pictures while I was making them so if YOU wanted to try them out you could. I used a slight variation of my normal chocolate cupcake (I wanted it to be a little less rich than I usually make them) but you can use a basic box mix. Here's what you'll need..

Your favorite chocolate cake recipe OR 1 box Chocolate Cake mix (plus ingredients needed on box)

 mini peppermint patties (about 15-18 & more for garnish)

 mint frosting **

That's all! See.. easy!

**For the mint frosting... I made a simple buttercream and added about 1/4 tsp peppermint extract but I've been seeing the Duncan Hines Frosting Creations  popping up all over the place (they have a chocolate peppermint flavor that might work here). I've been curious to see how they actually come out but haven't had the courage to actually buy it and try. I'm fond of scratch frosting.. but if any of you try it let me know. Can't hurt to have something on hand when the boys want to "help" in the kitchen :)

Back to the cupcakes!! Start out by making your batter.

I'll wait....

Done?

Good. Next step.. put about 1 - 1 1/2 tbs of batter into a lined baking cup. Place a peppermint patty on top and lightly press down. Then top with another 1 - 1 1/2 tbs of batter Here is where the fun pictures come in.

I was going to fill each one gradually and take fantastic pictures the entire way.. but I was impatient. Sorry.

I think this picture sums it up pretty well though. Batter, patty, batter... repeat.

Once you have them all filled bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-18 minutes or until the tops of the cupcake spring back lightly when touched. By the way, I'm a toothpick girl. I've never really liked the whole touch method for checking if they are done, but with some cupcakes (especially ones with something baked inside, like these) its usually the best bet.

BUT

I still used a toothpick.

see the little toothpick hole in the second cupcake.. CAUGHT!

Anyway.. Once they are done set them on a cooling rack and make your frosting. If you bought the frosting then this is the perfect time to check off some of those things on your "to-do" list.. or if you're like me it's the perfect time to grab your phone and check EVERY social media app you have.... Sad.

Once they are cooled this is where you can have fun with it. You can frost them however you'd like. 

I used an open star tip.

I cut the extra patties into quarters and used them as garnish. The original post used cutters to make little peppermint patty shapes. It was adorable. If any of you have seen the original post or know who wrote it let me know. I'd love to be able to credit them. I didn't want to add a whole peppermint patty and end up taking away from the actual cupcake.

Once I was finished decorating and packing up the cupcakes I had a few left over. I LOVE peppermint patties so I HAD to try one... for research obviously.

 They were delicious. I could have just eaten it without the frosting and been happy. But the frosting added that little extra bit of mint that complimented the cupcake perfectly.

Chocolatey minty wonderfulness all in one little cupcake. Make them.

Soon.

Let me know if you make them. I'd love to hear what you thought!

Thanks for reading!!

~E

Happy Thanksgiving!!

First let me start off by saying I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Even though I was cooking and baking for most of the day.. I did manage to get in some Christmas shopping online. Gotta love Amazon lightning deals and Ebates :). 

It is probably the only reason I'm still awake right now... and before I start in on cupcakes and cookies, I know you'd love to see a picture of the turkey I made today. 

Wouldn't you?

Ok, so maybe that's NOT what you were desperately waiting to see BUT.. I was pretty darn proud of that bird! So if you're actually sitting there reading this (I'm pretty sure most of the "views" I have are from my best friend, mom and myself :)) amuse me and take a look.

mmmm.. turkey

See! So pretty :). Ok.. I've officially spent too much time talking about turkey.

Let's move on.

Cookies!! I get so excited when someone asks me to make them cookies. I made a few thanksgiving cookies but I'm SO excited to start Christmas cookies. I have to admit... I've already started making some. A few days ago. Don't judge.

I didn't get around to decorating them yet because of other orders.. but I have so many ideas already. If I didn't have so much to do around the house tomorrow I'd probably start decorating in the morning.

Is there anything YOU'D like to see as a Christmas cookie?? I am ALWAYS looking for new ideas and I'd love to hear what you think.

I'm getting off topic here.. back to thanksgiving cookies... I made mini turkeys for my boys. I wanted to make sure they have something for dessert since they don't like pie, plus I fell in LOVE with these little guys when LilaLoa made them. So I decided I NEEDED to make them. They were super easy and fun to make. Seriously, try it.

mini turkey cookies

I love them. They're tiny enough where I don't have to worry about the boys bouncing off the walls all night and easy enough to make a bunch at one time. Thanks Georgeanne!!

I also made large turkey cookies (I also followed  her tutorial and made a few changes.. told you she's awesome) and added some leaves and pumpkins to the bunch. They came out adorable as well but I can't seem to find the pic right now. Sorry :(

Besides all the thanksgiving cookies I started making March Of Dimes cookies. I'm selling them and giving ALL the money to the charity. I was lucky enough to get permission to use their logo and I received a press/cutter from Plastics in Print (amazing cookie cutter company). I have some pics and all the info on my facebook page and website. Even if you don't go through me, please consider donating to the charity.

I could go on forever right now. I have so many things I want to share.. but I'll save them for tomorrow. I'll let you know about the thanksgiving cupcakes and cake, the craft fair I will be at next weekend (Dec 2nd) AND I'll even share a quick walk-through of the newest cupcake I made... Peppermint Patty cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes with Peppermint Patties inside. Yup, you heard that right..

Those wonderful patties of chocolatey, minty goodness.. INSIDE!!

So make sure you don't miss that, or any of my new posts and subscribe on the right side.. you can follow by email and anxiously wait for that new email telling you I've added a post that will no doubt blow you away! Or at least give you a something to do to fill the procrastination filled gap between playing angry birds and doing something productive. Believe me.. I know that feeling!

Seriously though.. thanks for reading :)

~E