Dark Dark Chocolate Holiday Mini-Cupcakes with Peppermint Bark Frosting...Yummie!



I simply love peppermint bark...I'm not kidding...I can't wait for the holidays when it shows up at Crate and Barrel...and my hand instinctively reaches for that box every time I go in here...so this year I decided to experiment with some on a dark, dark chocolate cupcake. I "found" (ahem) Ghirardelli's Limited Edition Peppermint Bark Squares at the World Market this weekend when I got home I put some in the freezer for about 10 minutes, I crushed them up and put them on top of my pink buttercream frosting. They were a huge hit for dessert this evening...a sweet, little taste of holidaze coming our way!


This experiment was pretty easy because I used a dark dark chocolate CAKE MIX! I added some sour cream and...here's the real kick...a cup of white chocolate chips...I know it sounds crazy but it all worked out just fine!



I made the mini cupcakes this time because I figured these would be kind of "rich"...and they were...and I wanted to pile on the frosting. You can check out the rest of the "Bark" cupcakes on my flickr web page at: hflickr.com/photos/cupcakequeen.



I also did a few without the bark...and used white nonpareils because I have one particular person who doesn't like mint...and I like to keep all my peeps happy! You can buy the nonpareils at Michaels or order them from Wilton's web site. Now I'm gearing up for a REAL holiday cupcake in the next couple of weeks. Are you whipping up anything special? Let me know!


Rock On!

CQ

19 comments:

  1. Oh wow you beat me to it! I was so gonna do this cupcake next myself. Great minds think alike, no?
    Someone told me you share a cupcake love like I do. Can't wait to see what else you've got hidden up your sleeve!

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  2. I was just going to share the link to Garrett's blog! :)

    For some reason, maybe it's the holiday, I have had a real penchant for peppermint. This sounds divine. Now, you know I still haven't ventured into homemade cake making yet, right?? I'm scared. I still mess up the boxed mixed ones. Yet I bake cookies, pies and breads from scratch without batting an eyelash...weird, I know!

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  3. Anonymous2:27 AM

    Lovely! Nothing beats a rich chocolate cake (cupcake ;)). Peppermint bark is hard to get your hands on around here, but I do try to make a shopping trip to a bigger city before Christmas--I should be able to get some then.

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  4. Anonymous7:34 AM

    I wasn't sure where else to post this, but between your site and
    http://abbeyscakes.blogspot.com/
    does the inspiration ever end?!!!

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  5. Anonymous8:44 AM

    I really enjoy reading your blog - your posts and your excitement for baking are truly inspiring. I share your love of peppermint bark, and wanted to encourage you to make your own! It's super easy and much cheaper than buying it in the store.

    All it takes is white chocolate, peppermint extract, and crushed candy canes or peppermint circles. Just melt the chocolate, add the extract, and pour it out on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Then add your crushed peppermint bits and press them into the chocolate - that's it! Let it cool completely (I stick it in the freezer when I have room) and then break it up into whatever size you want.

    Bonuses: You can adjust the amount of any ingredient to suit your taste, you don't get any of the chemical additives that are in manufactured candy, and you can say "yeah, I made that too". I make big batches for Xmas gifts and everyone really loves it - especially when I drizzle it with dark chocolate as well - yum!

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  6. Anonymous8:57 AM

    Shoot, when I previewed my comment it made me anonymous - that's me with the peppermint bark recipe above. Just wanted to put a name to the post!

    Melissa

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  7. Anonymous3:49 PM

    DF and I were passing by Williams-Sonoma last night and I commented about how I love Peppermint Bark. Thanks for the recipe, I'm going to have to try it!

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  8. Anonymous3:08 PM

    I have been drinking peppermint hot chocolate from Williams-Sonoma. I think the two would pair quite nicely!

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  9. Anonymous4:08 PM

    I am soooo going to make these! I adore peppermint anything! And, they are so PRETTY!:)

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  10. Anonymous9:22 AM

    these look yummy
    can you reveal what dark dark choc cake mix you use -
    I have not found any I have been happy with

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  11. The cake mix I used was Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Cake Mix Dark Chocolate Fudge. I added 1 cup of sour cream to it and 1 cup of white chocolate chips.

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  12. Here's the recipe for the frosting:

    Billy's Vanilla Buttercream

    Makes enough for 30 cupcakes

    1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
    6 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar
    1/2 cup milk
    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. With mixer on low speed, add 6 cups sugar, milk, and vanilla; mix until light and fluffy. If necessary, gradually add remaining 2 cups sugar to reach desired consistency.

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  13. Anonymous6:07 PM

    awesome - will let youknow how they turn out - -I have a party this weekend to go to - & these will fit hte bill nicely!!!

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  14. YUMMY! I'm going to make these this weekend and I'm going to put a Candy Cane Joe-Joe in the top of each one. Joe-Joe's are oreo-like cookies (but better) from Trader Joe's and they have candy cane ones right now that are like a cross between the Ghirardelli peppermint bark and Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies. Mmm!!

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  15. I just made a version of these and posted the results! Totally yummy.

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  16. Anonymous10:56 AM

    Hi Cupcake QUEEN!!!
    So I decided to take cupcakes to a party I'm attending on Saturday and couldnt think of what kind to bring. Then i thought of you and that you MUST have a good Christmas-themed cupcake idea -- of course the first thing that pops up is these super cute cupcakes with peppermint -- perfection (except I may need to change frosting color - HATE pink -- I blame my mother who LOVES pink)!! Thanks for the idea and wish me luck.
    Love, your cooking club pal!

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  17. Anonymous8:21 PM

    Makes mu mouth water just looking at the pics! Great post! Thank you.

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  18. Anonymous3:30 PM

    What beautiful looking cupcakes, I love cupcakes too!

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  19. I have been on a whoopie quest since July... raspberry in the summer, peanut butter this fall, smores for a brithday surprise, pumpkin for Thanksgiving, and now peppermint bark for Christmas... I have been beating around ideas on how to actually pull together a peppermint bark whoopie pie for a few weeks now. And here you are with ideas... white chocolate chips, pink icing, and crushed up ghiradelli... Think you are onto something. Will try to post to blog once I get them finished on Christmas Eve.

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