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Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Cream Cheese Filling and Buttercream Icing Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 97 reviews

Delight in these rich Chocolate Cupcakes filled with a refreshing Peppermint-Cream Cheese center and topped with a luscious Buttercream Icing. Perfect for the holiday season or any festive occasion, these moist cupcakes combine the deep flavor of cocoa with the cool crunch of peppermint candies, creating an irresistible treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (preferably lower fat, not fat-free)
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips
  • ½ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Cupcake Batter

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup oil
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Buttercream Icing

  • 12 ounces (1 ½ cups) butter, softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (preferably low fat, not fat-free)
  • 2-pound bag powdered sugar (approximately 8 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 6–8 tablespoons milk or half and half

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line cupcake pans with 18 paper liners to prepare for baking.
  2. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, slightly beaten egg, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until smooth. Fold in the mini chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies. Set this mixture aside for filling the cupcakes.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until the batter is smooth and well combined, taking care not to overmix.
  5. Fill Cupcake Pans: Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about halfway (½ full).
  6. Add Cream Cheese Filling: Drop a rounded tablespoon of the cream cheese and peppermint mixture onto the batter in each cupcake, distributing it evenly among the 18 cupcakes.
  7. Bake the Cupcakes: Place the cupcake pan in the oven and bake for 23 to 25 minutes. If the cupcakes start to brown too much towards the end of baking, cover with foil for the last 8 to 10 minutes. Avoid underbaking, as this can cause the cupcakes to sink in the center.
  8. Cool the Cupcakes: After baking, allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool completely before icing.
  9. Prepare Buttercream Icing: Using the wire whisk attachment on a stand mixer, whip the softened butter and cream cheese at medium-high speed for about 5 minutes, scraping down the bowl once or twice to ensure even mixing.
  10. Add Powdered Sugar and Milk: Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Then add milk or half and half slowly until the icing reaches a soft, fluffy consistency. Increase speed to medium-high and add the vanilla extract. Continue whipping for at least 5 minutes until the icing is light and fluffy, scraping the bowl as needed.
  11. Ice the Cupcakes: Transfer the buttercream icing to a decorating bag fitted with a 1M Wilton tip or your preferred tip. Swirl the icing onto each cooled cupcake, creating beautiful decorative tops.

Notes

  • For best texture, do not use fat-free cream cheese; low fat is preferred.
  • Crush peppermint candies finely to ensure even distribution without large chunks.
  • If cupcakes brown too quickly during baking, cover them loosely with foil to prevent burning.
  • Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before icing to prevent melting or sliding of frosting.
  • Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator due to cream cheese content; bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.

Keywords: Chocolate cupcakes, peppermint cream cheese, buttercream icing, holiday cupcakes, festive desserts, cream cheese filling

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/chocolate-cupcakes-with-peppermint-cream-cheese-filling-and-buttercream-icing-recipe/