White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes are the perfect holiday treat, combining the smooth sweetness of white chocolate with the refreshing flavor of peppermint. These cupcakes are ideal for holiday parties, winter gatherings, or any occasion where you want to enjoy a festive and delicious dessert.
Why These White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes Are the Best
- Sweet and Creamy Frosting: The white frosting is smooth and creamy, perfectly complementing the peppermint flavor.
- Peppermint Flavor: The cupcakes have a delightful hint of peppermint, adding a refreshing twist to the sweet base.
- Festive Sprinkles: The red and green sprinkles add a festive touch, making these cupcakes perfect for holiday celebrations.
- Beautiful Presentation: The red paper liners and swirled frosting make these cupcakes visually appealing and ready for any occasion.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, attending a winter gathering, or simply craving a festive treat, White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes are the perfect choice. The combination of smooth white chocolate, refreshing peppermint, and beautiful presentation makes them a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredient Notes
Peppermint Cupcakes:
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the cupcakes for a light and tender crumb.
- Peppermint Extract: Infuses the cupcakes with a subtle, refreshing mint flavor.
- Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tang, ensuring the cupcakes remain soft and fluffy.
- Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cupcakes moist and light.
- Yogurt: Enhances the tender texture and adds a touch of richness.
White Chocolate Filling:
- White Chocolate Chips: Brings a creamy, sweet surprise inside each cupcake.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Smooths out the filling for a luscious texture.
Peppermint Frosting:
- Unsalted Butter: Forms the creamy, rich base for the frosting.
- Peppermint Extract: Provides a festive, minty flair.
- Crushed Candy Canes: Adds crunch and a decorative touch for extra holiday charm.
Tips for Making the Best White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use high-quality white chocolate and fresh peppermint extract.
- Mix Batter Evenly: Ensure the batter is mixed evenly to achieve a consistent texture throughout the cupcakes.
- Generously Frost: Apply a generous amount of white frosting to each cupcake for added richness and visual appeal.
- Decorate Festively: Top the cupcakes with red and green sprinkles to enhance the festive look.
Serving Suggestions
- With a Cup of Hot Chocolate: Enjoy a White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcake with a warm cup of hot chocolate for a perfect winter treat.
- With Fresh Peppermint: Garnish with a sprig of fresh peppermint for an extra burst of flavor and color.
- With a Scoop of Ice Cream: Add a scoop of peppermint ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- With a Dusting of Powdered Sugar: Finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a classic touch.
- With a Dollop of Whipped Cream: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream for added richness and flavor.
A Must Try
Imagine biting into one of these White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes—each bite offering a perfect blend of creamy white chocolate and refreshing peppermint, all topped with festive sprinkles. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, these cupcakes are sure to bring joy to any holiday celebration. So, gather your ingredients and bake a batch of these delightful treats to impress your loved ones and make your moments even sweeter!
Be sure to check out these other delicious cupcake recipes!
White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
Ingredients
Peppermint Cupcakes
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or maybe canola
- 1 large egg white at room temperature
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- ¼ cup yogurt plain or vanilla, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
White Chocolate Filling:
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
Peppermint Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature (2 sticks)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
- 12 mini candy canes
- ½ cup crushed candy canes optional
Instructions
- Before you start baking, heat your oven to 350 degrees and get a muffin pan ready with 12 cupcake liners.
Peppermint Cupcakes
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, egg, egg white, yogurt, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until everything is well combined.
- Alternate adding the flour mixture and the Lifeway Kefir milk to the wet ingredients, whisking just until everything is combined (be careful not to overmix).
- Fill each cupcake liner about ¾ full (using just under 3 tablespoons of batter) and bake for 15-18 minutes. Check the centers with a toothpick for doneness.
- Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
White Chocolate Ganache
- In a small bowl, put the white chocolate chips aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the heavy whipping cream until it starts bubbling (usually 25-40 seconds).
- Pour the heated cream over the white chocolate chips and let it sit for 3 minutes.
- Afterward, whisk the mixture together until it becomes smooth.
- Allow it to cool to room temperature.
Peppermint Frosting
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until it becomes creamy, which usually takes about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract to the mixer. Mix on low speed until everything is combined, which usually takes about 30 seconds.
- Then, increase the speed to high and beat for an additional 1-2 minutes. The frosting should become light and creamy at this point.
- Assemble
- After the cupcakes have cooled, use a piping tip or a small sharp knife to gently cut out the centers. Be cautious not to cut through the bottom of the cupcake.
- Fill each cupcake with the ganache filling.
- Frost the cupcakes using a piping bag and the Wilton 1M piping tip.
- Sprinkle crushed candy cane pieces on top and place one mini candy cane on each cupcake.
- For leftovers, store the cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they'll stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Baking Pan: Prepare a 12-count muffin tin by placing cupcake liners in each cup.
- Measuring Flour: To make sure you don't add too much flour, follow these three easy steps: 1) Fluff up the flour with a fork. 2) Spoon the flour into your measuring cup. 3) Level off the excess flour by scraping a knife across the top of the measuring cup.
- Assembling: Use a piping tip to carefully remove the centers of each cupcake. Then, either pipe or spoon in the ganache.
- Frosting: Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost them using a piping bag with the Wilton 1M tip.