I just love anything that combines mint and chocolate. I was thinking about those yummy chocolate covered “grasshopper” mint cookies the other day and decided right then and there that I’d try a cupcake recipe in those flavors.
One of my favorite trends in the world these days is the invention of the cupcake store. We have several here in my hometown- one of which was actually invited to compete on the TV show “Cupcake Wars”. I love to see the different ideas these little bakeries have for cupcake treats.
About a month ago my friend Megan came to visit. She’s 1/2 of the team at Happily Ever After Cakes out in Pennsylvania and we met 2 years ago in Russia. Since we share a love for all things sweet AND she was flying into Chicago, we decided to try Sprinkles Cupcakes. It was amazing- really the best cupcakes I’ve had from a bakery. The cupcakes were simple– but the frostings….oh my. I’m obsessed with making the salted caramel frosting they have. It was the best frosting ever. Here’s some pictures from our trip– so much yumminess in one little store.
The flavors we tried were: Red velvet, Salted caramel, Mocha and Coconut. We loved them all- but especially the Salted caramel….!
On to our recipe this week— yummy mint grasshopper cupcakes! (Makes 24)
INGREDIENTS:
- One boxed chocolate cake mix (with water, oil and eggs to make according to box)
- Approximately 36 Andes Mints
- 1 stick of salted butter (room temp)
- 1 stick of unsalted butter (room temp)
- 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
- 2 t. mint extract
- green food coloring
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Make cake mix as directed on box. Evenly divide it into 24 cupcake papers in muffin tins.
- Place one Andes mint candy into the center of each unbaked cupcake.
- Bake at 350 degrees as directed on box.
- Cool completely.
- Combine butters, powdered sugar, mint and food coloring in a large mixing bowl and beat on high until very light and fluffy.
- Place frosting into a zip top bag fitted with a large star decorating tip in one corner.
- Pipe frosting on each cooled cupcake.
- Top each cupcake with 1/2 of an Andes Mint Candy.
My thoughts: These turned out so yummy– just a note that some of the Andes mints sank all the way to the bottom of the cupcake– they still tasted really good in the cupcake– but they weren’t all as fun as the one in my picture (below). Another note– this frosting recipe makes just enough to frost 24 cupcakes– if you like lots of frosting, double the recipe. Enjoy!!!! -r
EASYBAKED 