Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes

After a baking hiatus, I kick-started the holiday baking tradition with these cupcakes. Peppermint and mocha are part of winter for me. They are warm and soothing with a hint of minty coolness to remind you of the freezing temperature outside.

I adapted the recipe from here.

Ingredients:

1. 1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
2. 2 large eggs at room temperature (if you forget to keep the eggs out, immerse them in hot (not boiling) water for 20-30 minutes before using)
3. 1 cup granulated sugar
4. 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
5. 4 squares semi-sweet ghiradelli chocolate, chopped
6. 1 cup all-purpose flour
7. 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee (I just dissolved 2 tablespoons of instant coffee with 1/2 cup boiling water)
8. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
9. 1 teaspoon baking powder
10. 1/3 cup thick yogurt
11. 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
12. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

1. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners (this recipe yields 10-12 cupcakes)
2. Melt the chocolate by heating it in 30 second intervals in the microwave until smooth. Reserve until it reaches room temperature. When it reaches room temperature, whisk it into the prepared coffee. Make sure the coffee is also at room temperature.
3. Mix the dry ingredients separately - flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cocoa
4. Beat butter for a few seconds. Add sugar and continue beating for a couple of minutes until creamy. 
5. Add eggs and continue beating until pale and well incorporated. 
6. Add yogurt and beat until combined
7. Add the chocolate-coffee mixture and beat until combined. 
8. Stir in the peppermint extract and vanilla extract
9. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the batter
10. Transfer the batter into the cupcake pan - about 2/3 to 3/4 full in each slot. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 F for 15-20 minutes until a tester comes out clean.

Let cupcakes cool for 10 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

The cupcakes were moist and cool and pleasantly bitter-sweet with notes of coffee and chocolate in every bite.