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Candy Cane Cupcakes

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These Candy Cane Cupcakes are fluffy vanilla cupcakes topped with creamy peppermint buttercream, crushed candy canes, and a festive mini candy cane garnish. They’re the perfect holiday dessert—beautiful, refreshing, and full of Christmas cheer.

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

2 tsp vanilla extract

½ cup milk, at room temperature

Peppermint Buttercream Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp peppermint extract

2–3 tbsp milk, as needed

Red food coloring (optional, for swirl)

For Decoration:

Mini candy canes or regular candy canes

Crushed candy canes (for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
  3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
  5. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly into liners, filling about ⅔ full.
  7. Bake 18–20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pan, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  8. For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and peppermint extract.
  9. Add milk 1 tbsp at a time until smooth and pipeable. For swirl, fold in red food coloring lightly.
  10. Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes, sprinkle with crushed candy canes, and top with a mini candy cane.

Notes

Stir crushed candy canes into the batter for extra peppermint flavor.

Swap part of the flour with cocoa powder for a chocolate version.

Swirl green food coloring into frosting for a festive red-and-green look.

Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months; decorate after thawing.

For dairy-free, use plant-based milk and vegan butter.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://chocolatecoveredamy.com/candy-cane-cupcakes/