Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar
  • ¾ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (Dutch-processed preferred)
  • 1 ½ tsp Baking Soda
  • ¾ tsp Baking Powder
  • ¾ tsp Fine Sea Salt
  • 2 Large Eggs (room temperature)
  • ¾ cup Buttermilk (room temperature)
  • ½ cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • ¾ cup Boiling Water (or hot coffee)
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter (very soft)
  • 4 cups Powdered Sugar (sifted)
  • 3–4 Tbsp Cold Heavy Cream (or whole milk)
  • 1 tsp Pure Peppermint Extract
  • 1–3 drops Green Food Colouring (gel)
  • ¾ cup Mint Chocolate Chips (chopped slightly)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper or foil cupcake liners.
  2. Whisk together all dry ingredients (flour through salt) in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Sift if necessary to remove lumps.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together wet ingredients (eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla).
  4. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Carefully pour the boiling water (or hot coffee) into the batter while mixing slowly until smooth. The batter will be thin; this is correct.
  6. Divide batter evenly among the 12 liners (fill about 2/3 full). Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
  7. Cool the cupcakes in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting (crucial step).
  8. To make the frosting, beat the softened butter in a stand mixer until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
  9. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing slowly at first. Then add peppermint extract and food colouring, mixing well.
  10. Add the cold heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on medium-high until the desired light and fluffy consistency is reached.
  11. Gently fold in the chopped mint chocolate chips by hand using a rubber spatula.
  12. Once the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the frosting generously onto each top and garnish as desired.