Indulge in Ultimate Bliss: Decadent Dark Chocolate Mint Cupcakes Recipe
Today, we’re absolutely thrilled to unveil a truly special recipe that was meticulously crafted as part of Nestlé® Toll House®’s exciting “Dark Chocolate Made to Bake” initiative. This unique project challenged a select group of bloggers, including myself, to develop an innovative recipe that truly highlights the unparalleled richness and versatility of Nestlé® Toll House® Dark Chocolate Morsels. It’s been an incredible experience blending my passion for baking with such a high-quality ingredient, and the result is nothing short of spectacular.
Adding an extra layer of excitement to this culinary adventure is a friendly competition among the participating bloggers. All the delicious creations, including our very own, are featured on Pinterest. We would be absolutely delighted if you took a moment to head over there and cast your vote! The recipe that garners the most “likes” will be crowned the winner, and your support would mean the world to us.
Now, let’s talk about these Dark Chocolate Mint Cupcakes. Prepare yourself for a flavor experience that is simultaneously rich, deeply decadent, wonderfully creamy, exquisitely fudgy, and remarkably refreshing. Each bite offers a harmonious symphony of textures and tastes that will delight your senses. The foundation of this treat is a moist and flavorful dark chocolate cake, infused with a generous amount of Nestlé® Toll House® Dark Chocolate Morsels, ensuring an intense chocolate burst in every mouthful. This light and airy cake provides the perfect canvas for the magical minty core.
Nestled within the heart of each cupcake is a cool, invigorating mint cream filling. This unexpected burst of fresh mint perfectly cuts through the richness of the dark chocolate, creating a beautifully balanced flavor profile that is both comforting and exciting. It’s like a breath of fresh air after a deeply satisfying chocolate indulgence. And to crown this masterpiece? A luscious, silky-smooth dark chocolate buttercream frosting that is so incredibly decadent, you might just find yourself wanting to sneak away with the entire bowl and a spoon, savoring every last bit in blissful solitude.
Life sometimes throws curveballs, even when you’re planning sweet gestures. I originally baked these delightful cupcakes with the intention of sharing them with the wonderful teachers at my children’s school. However, an unexpected and rather nasty bug swept through our entire family, leaving us all under the weather. Consequently, I found myself “stuck” at home with a dozen of these irresistible treats. While the illness itself was certainly miserable, having these decadent cupcakes around provided a small, sweet silver lining to an otherwise trying time. They certainly brightened up a few difficult days!
Crafting these Dark Chocolate Mint Cupcakes is a journey of flavor, starting with the very best ingredients. The foundation of a great cupcake lies in its components. For the chocolate cake, using high-quality Nestlé® Toll House® Baking Cocoa alongside the dark chocolate morsels ensures a deep, authentic chocolate flavor that isn’t overly sweet. Proper sifting of the dry ingredients – flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt – is crucial for a light and tender crumb. This step prevents lumps and incorporates air, contributing to the cupcake’s airy texture. When it comes to liquids, buttermilk adds a tangy richness and helps activate the baking soda, resulting in a wonderfully moist and fluffy cake. Pairing it with canola oil keeps the cupcakes incredibly moist without being heavy, and vanilla extract enhances all the chocolate notes.
The magic truly happens when these simple ingredients come together. When mixing the wet and dry ingredients, be mindful not to overmix. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough cupcakes. Mix just until combined, then gently fold in those glorious Nestlé® Toll House® Dark Chocolate Morsels. These morsels don’t just add more chocolate flavor; they melt slightly during baking, creating pockets of intense, gooey chocolate that elevate the entire experience. Filling your muffin tins about three-quarters full ensures that each cupcake rises beautifully without overflowing, creating that perfect domed top ready for frosting.
The mint filling is deceptively simple yet profoundly impactful. It’s a light and refreshing contrast to the rich chocolate. Achieving the right consistency is key – it should be slightly thinner than frosting, allowing it to easily flow into the cored cupcakes without being too runny. The combination of vanilla and peppermint extracts is what gives it that signature mint chocolate profile. You can adjust the amount of peppermint extract to your liking, depending on how intense you prefer the mint flavor to be. Start with a smaller amount and add more gradually until it hits your perfect spot. This filling is what transforms a delicious chocolate cupcake into a truly unforgettable mint chocolate experience.
And then there’s the frosting – the crowning glory! This dark chocolate buttercream is where pure indulgence comes to life. The process begins with melting and cooling Nestlé® Toll House® Dark Chocolate Morsels. Allowing the chocolate to cool before adding it to the butter is essential to prevent the butter from melting and creating a greasy frosting. Softened butter, beaten until creamy, forms the perfect base. The powdered sugar gives it structure and sweetness, while milk and vanilla extract ensure it’s smooth, pipeable, and bursting with flavor. Don’t be afraid to adjust the consistency with a little more milk or powdered sugar until it reaches your desired fluffiness and spreadability. This rich, dark frosting provides the perfect bittersweet counterpoint to the sweet cake and mint filling.
The final assembly is where all your efforts come to fruition. Once your cupcakes are completely cool – this is crucial to prevent the filling and frosting from melting – gently scoop out a small center from each. An apple corer or a small spoon works perfectly for this. Fill these little wells with your refreshing mint filling. Finally, pipe or spread a generous swirl of the dark chocolate buttercream on top. For an extra touch of elegance, you can garnish them with a few extra dark chocolate morsels or a fresh mint leaf. These cupcakes are perfect for any occasion, from a casual gathering to a festive holiday dessert table. The vibrant combination of dark chocolate and cool mint is a universally loved pairing, making them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
We’d be incredibly grateful if you could spare a moment to head over to Pinterest and show your support by either “liking” or “repinning” my picture of these irresistible Dark Chocolate Mint Cupcakes. It’s super easy – if you already have a Pinterest account, there’s no lengthy registration process or anything complicated. Just click the like button! You can also repin it to as many of your boards as you like, helping spread the word about these delicious treats. As a special thank you, the first 10 people to email me at [email protected] to confirm they’ve liked my picture will receive a coupon in the mail for free Nestlé® Toll House® Morsels of your very own! Don’t miss out on the chance to win some fantastic baking ingredients!
Dark Chocolate Mint Cupcakes
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Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup Nestlé® Toll House® Baking Cocoa
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
Mint Filling
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 Tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Dark Chocolate Frosting
- 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
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In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt. Sifting ensures a lighter texture and prevents lumps. Set this dry mixture aside.
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In a separate large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, canola oil, and vanilla extract until well combined. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry flour mixture. Mix with a spatula or spoon until just combined and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the Nestlé® Toll House® Dark Chocolate Morsels. Using an ice cream scoop (approximately 1/4 cup), evenly fill each muffin tin cavity to about 3/4 full.
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Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove the muffin tin from the oven and carefully transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely. It is crucial they are fully cooled before filling and frosting.
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While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the mint filling. In a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Whisk until smooth. The consistency should be slightly thinner than frosting but thick enough to hold its shape when poured. Adjust with a tiny bit more milk or powdered sugar if needed.
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Next, prepare the dark chocolate frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and the melted and cooled Nestlé® Toll House® Dark Chocolate Morsels until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the milk and vanilla extract. Beat until the frosting is smooth, light, and fluffy. You can add more milk (for a thinner consistency) or more powdered sugar (for a thicker consistency) to achieve your desired texture.
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Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, use a small knife or an apple corer to carefully scoop out about 1 teaspoon of cake from the center of each cupcake, creating a small well. Spoon or pipe some of the mint filling into each well. Finally, generously pipe or spread the dark chocolate frosting over the top of each cupcake. Garnish as desired, perhaps with a sprinkle of extra dark chocolate morsels or a fresh mint leaf. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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**Disclaimer: I was compensated by Nestle for developing this recipe. I received Nestlé® Toll House® Dark Chocolate Morsels and coupons for giveaway purposes. All opinions and the passion for these delightful cupcakes are entirely my own.