Peppermint Twist Cupcakes Recipes

PEPPERMINT TWIST CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In large bowl, beat shortening with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add granulated sugar, about 1/3 cup at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping bowl occasionally. Beat 2 minutes longer. Add egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. On low speed, alternately add flour mixture, about one-third at a time, and 1 1/4 cups milk, about half at a time, beating just until blended.
• Spoon 1 1/2 cups cake batter into small bowl; stir in 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and paste food color to make red batter.
• In each muffin cup, spoon about 1 tablespoon white cake batter. Top with about 1 tablespoon red batter, then another 1 tablespoon white batter. With table knife, draw an "S" in batter of each muffin cup to swirl batter.
• Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans; place on cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In large bowl, beat powdered sugar, butter, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract and 6 tablespoons milk with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until frosting is smooth and spreadable. Spread scant 2 tablespoons frosting on each cupcake. With tiny paintbrush, "paint" liquid food color in swirl pattern on frosting on each cupcake.

PEPPERMINT TWISTS

Steps:

• Shape cookie mix into 3/4-in. balls. Roll each ball into a 6-in. rope. Bend the rope in half and twist twice. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets., Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Combine the confectioners' sugar, milk and extract; drizzle over cookies. Sprinkle with colored sugar.

PEPPERMINT CRUNCH CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper or foil baking cups into muffin pan cups. Set aside.
• Combine all cupcake ingredients except baking chips in bowl. Beat at low speed 2 minutes; stir in 2/3 cup baking chips.
• Spoon batter into prepared pans. Bake 18-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.
• Combine milk and flour in 1-quart saucepan; stir with whisk until smooth. Cook over medium heat 4-5 minutes, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens and just comes to a boil. Remove from heat; cool 15 minutes.
• Combine all remaining frosting ingredients in bowl; beat at high speed until creamy. Continue beating, gradually adding milk mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, until light and creamy and all sugar is dissolved. Frost or pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle each with baking chips.
• Cover; store refrigerated up to 2 days.

CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.
• Stir cocoa, all-purpose flour, cake flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in a large bowl.
• Beat sugar and butter together in a separate bowl until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla and peppermint extracts. Stir in dry ingredients until well mixed. Add buttermilk and stir just until moistened.
• Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cupcakes spring back when lightly touched, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

PEPPERMINT REINDEER CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Remove paper liners from cupcakes. Cut in half crosswise; set bottom aside. Decorate the tops with candies for the 'eyes' and 'mouth'. Add sour cherry balls for the 'nose'. Break pretzels in half for 'antlers'.
• Spread 1 tablespoon ice cream over the bottom of each cupcake. Place decorated halves on top. Serve immediately or freeze for several hours before serving.