Chocolate and mint may seem like it’s a bit outta place in this sunny weather, seen as its more of a Christmas combo, but I think its perfect for when you want a chocolate cake and the temps a rising! The minty frosting gives a refreshing lift to a moist rich chocolate cupcake, though I dare say these cupcakes are a tad muffin like, but ya’ know, labels are just labels maaaann. Just go ahead and enjoy these lil’ thangs any time of year, if your feeling the need to conform to the idea that minty things need to be green, add a little green food colouring to the frosting.
Ingredients:
The cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups (225g) organic plain flour
1/2 cup (75g) organic fairtrade cocoa powder
2/3 cup (170g) unrefined organic golden caster sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 tsp fine sea salt
1 cup (250ml) almond milk
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup (125ml) canola oil
1 tsp quality vanilla extract
1 tsp chocolate extract (optional)
For the frosting:
1/2 cup (112g) vegetable shortening
1 tsp mint flavouring
1 1/2 cup (225g) icing sugar
1-3 tbsp almond milk
Method:
To make your cupcakes simply preheat the oven to 180c/360f and line a 12 hole muffin tray with cupcake cases. Stir the dry ingredients together in a bowl and just add the wet ingredients in on top, now whisk together until just combined. Fill the cases about 2/3 of the way up with the mix and bake for about 15-20 mints until well risen and test with a tooth pick. Pop on a rack to cool completely before making the frosting. The frosting is nice and simple, beat the shortening until nice and light, add the flavouring and beat again, slowly add the icing sugar a bit at a time and whisk together, add enough almond milk to make a spreadable/ pipe-able frosting and pipe/ spread a little on-top of each cake. Remove wrappers and eat all the cupcakes. Done!
These cupcakes look amazing!
You have a lovely blog.
thanks!
I love chocolate and mint! These look fantastic!
Thanks, glad you think so!
YUM YUM YUM YUM!!! (Why aren’t there supersized capitals?) Mint and chocolate were made to be together…indeed I have chocolate mint. Even nature knew this combination was perfect. So did the wallabies :(. It’s not all bad possums here…would you like some wallabies and possums for the sanctuary that you work in? I am sure that if I box them up with enough of my garden they will make it safely over there…even if I bubble wrap them? 😉
I haven’t hard work in about three weeks (I think??) don’t know whats happening
maybe they are accepting possum mail, I will have to ask next time I am in….
Probably the wallabies ate everything in advance…sorry
These look fantastic – I think mint and chocolate is always a great combo, reminds me of dinner parties and after dinner chocolates which is ALWAYS a good thing 🙂
used to love after dinner mints!!
Mint and chocolate are great any time of year! Festive in cold months and cooling during warm months.
I agree 100% with this statement!!
Mint and chocolate make a beautiful couple. 🙂
These look spectacular, my friend. They belong in a cake shop window- until they are gobbled up by discerning cake lovers.
Awwe thank you! Shame I ate them all……
Chocolate + mint = ANYtime!!
everything you make looks amazing!
Thank you for the kind words!
Chocolate and mint is one of my weaknesses, love the little swirl of icing on these!
It used to be a weakness of mine, I could polish off a whole box of after eights in seconds. I feel like I may be eating to many of these cupcakes…..
You can never have too much chocolate and mint my friend, they just go together!
They sure do!