Skinny Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 cupcake pans with paper liners.
• Mix espresso powder and hot water in a measuring cup until powder is dissolved. Set aside.
• Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl until well combined.
• Cream butter, brown sugar, and white sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until thoroughly combined. Mix in espresso mixture, vanilla, and peppermint extract. Add in 1/3 of the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Mix in cooled coffee until just combined. Stir in another 1/3 of the dry ingredients until just combined. Mix in buttermilk until just combined. Stir in remaining dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in chocolate chips.
• Spoon batter into the prepared cups, filling each line just over 1/2 full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cupcakes spring back lightly when touched, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool a few minutes in the pan before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the eggs, coffee, oil, vinegar and vanilla until well blended. In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into coffee mixture until blended. Do not over mix (this will cause tough cupcakes).
• Fill paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full.(note: for cupcakes to all be the same size; use a 1/4-1/3 measuring cup to fill your cups). Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the cupcakes are a rather light gold, and mildly fluffed. Cool for about 10 minutes outside of the pan (to avoid residule cooking) before frosting *as below* .
• For frosting, in a microwave or over a saucepan, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and coffee at a high rate until smooth and holding (also, if the frosting seems a tad runny; add a sprinkle more confectioners sugar/ coocoa powder). Pipe frosting onto cupcakes. Top with chopped chocolate bits.
• Refridgerate for 6-7 days to keep fresh.