Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes...seriously?

I think chocolate should be part of the food pyramid!  Don't you?

How often has just a little taste of it helped you through the day???

Since it is FREEZING outside, hot drinks are a must!  Of course hot chocolate is right up there as a necessary warm drink.  But what if?  What if hot chocolate came in cupcake form???  Is that possible???  It most certainly is!!!  Add a splash of peppermint and you have an awesome drink in cupcake form that will surely satisfy that bit of chocolate need you may have!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

How yummy these would be on a cold winter's night while sitting in front of a roaring fire?  Or how impressive and delicious a peppermint hot chocolate cupcake would be at a Christmas Eve dinner?  I could go on and on with important times to have these cupcakes!  But really?  There is no reason other than they are deliciously yummy!!!!

Here's how to make them...easybaked.net has a really simple recipe that I used and it starts with a box cake mix.  It also has this delicious whipped cream center with a touch of peppermint.  Totally a mug of hot chocolate in cupcake form!

Ingredients

One boxed dark chocolate cake mix

One packet of Dream Whip

1/2c. cold milk

3 tsp vanilla (divided) 

3 tablespoons of finely crushed peppermint candies

2 stick (4 oz.) of unsalted butter at room temp.

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup of hot cocoa mix

Andes peppermint candies unwrapped and mini marshmallows to decorate

Make cake mix according to box, and bake in 24 cupcake liners in muffin tins.  Cool cupcakes completely.

Make cream filling by placing Dream whip, milk and 1 tsp vanilla in a mixing bowl and beating on high until light and fluffy.  Add finely crushed  peppermint candy and gently fold in until well combined.

Hollow out a small hole in the middle of each cupcake.  Spoon about 1-2 Tbsp of the cream filling into each cupcake hole.

Now it is time for the frosting!  Cream butter, powdered sugar, 2 tsp vanilla and hot cocoa mix until well combined.  Beat until fluffy.  Frost your cupcakes and then add the toppings to decorate.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

You can even see a bit of the cream filling just under the hot cocoa flavored frosting.  Seriously?  The flavors of hot chocolate in the form of a cupcake!!!  I don't think I need to say anything more?

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine