TIP OF THE DAY: Chocolate Chip Mint Cupcakes

March 16, 2015 at 8:00 am · Filed under Cookies-Cake-Pastry, Recipes, St. Patrick's Day, Tip Of The Day

chocolate-mint-cupcakes-zulkasugarFB-230

St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes. Photo courtesy
Zulka.

Family-owned Zulka manufacturers premium-quality sugars/ They’re dedicated to producing more natural sugar through responsible, environmentally friendly cane production. The sugars are minimally processed, which helps to preserve the fresh flavor of the sugar cane and more of the nutrition that is stripped away when cane is processed. The result: better tasting sugar!

The company provides lots of recipes for how to use the sugars. Here’s their suggestion for the perfect St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes. Get out your muffin tins!

RECIPE: CHOCOLATE MINT CUPCAKES

Ingredients For 18 Cupcakes

For The Cupcakes

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup cane sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

4 oz dark or semi-sweet chocolate, melted and slightly cooled

2 large eggs plus 2 egg yolks

1/2 cup canola oil*

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon mint extract

1/3 cup full fat sour cream or Greek yogurt

1/4 cup milk

1-1/2 cups mini chocolate chips, divided

For the Frosting:

6 ounces full fat cream cheese, room temperature

10 tablespoons butter, room temperature

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1/2 to 1 teaspoon mint extract (use more for a stronger flavor)

6-10 drops green food coloring

*Mild virgin olive oil, sunflower or grapeseed oil can be substituted.

Preparation

1. PREHEAT the oven to 350°F. Prepare the muffin tins with 18 cupcake liners.

2. COMBINE the flour, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt in a small bowl, whisking well. Set aside.

3. MIX the butter and sugars until in a large bowl with an electric or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs and yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

4. ADD the melted and cooled cocoa mixture, mixing well until fully combined. Add the oil and extracts and mix again, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.

5. ADD the sour cream and then the flour mixture and mix slowly until just combined. Add the milk and mix for another 20 seconds. Fold in 1 cup of the mini chocolate chips.

6. FILL the cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until the tops of the cupcakes bounce back slightly when lightly pressed. Let them cool in the pan for 3 minutes, then carefully remove to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Cane sugar, one of the three different types used in this recipe. Check out the different types of sugar in our sugar glossary. Photo courtesy Zulka Morena.

7. MAKE the frosting. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the cream cheese, butter and salt until lightened and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well in between each addition.

8. ADD the vanilla extract and food coloring, starting with small amounts until you reach the desired flavor and color. It will darken more as it sits.

9. FROST the tops of each cupcake using either a spatula or a frosting bag fitted with an open star tip, and sprinkle the remaining mini chocolate chips on top. Serve at room temperature.

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