Peppermint Vanilla Cupcakes

Day 3 on our 30 Days of Christmas Countdown

Day 3 of the 30 Days of Christmas Countdown

I love the faint taste of peppermint mixed with vanilla in my treats. With it being the Christmas season, what better chance do I have to make peppermint treats. Everything about Christmas excites me. The music, the lights, the cheery spirit, spending time with family, giving more thought to Christ, turning our thoughts towards others, and of course all of the delicious goodies that come from the neighbors.

I remember when I was growing up, how excited I would get during the holiday season. I have always been a sucker for surprises. When December would hit, it seemed as though we were getting doorbell ditched nightly. I loved running to the door to see what treats had been left on our porch from the neighbors. As a little girl I always got so excited for the cute little crafty treats. Everything as a child was more exciting, but that is why Christmas is so special to me. It gives me a chance to glimpse back into my childhood and remember those sweet giddy feelings of the Christmas season.

I got this cute idea from the The Girl Who Ate Everything and paired it with a peppermint vanilla flavored cupcakes! I got so excited to use my cake decorating supplies and used a frosting tip to create the snow like frosting.  These Peppermint Vanilla Cupcakes turned out cute and delicious!

Peppermint Vanilla Cupacakes
(frosting below)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup half and half
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 cups flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 2 egg whites, room temperature

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees
-In a small saucepan heat up the half and half, vanilla and peppermint (do not boiling)
-In a small bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and salt.
-In a large bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and cream together. Next add the egg and egg whites. Beat well until fully mixed.
-Add half the flour mixture and mix well.
-Add in the vanilla milk mixture and beat until combined.
-Add the remaining flour and mix again. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure that the mixture is fully incorporated.
-Fill your cupcake liners until about 2/3 full. (you can find cute seasonal cupcake liners at Michaels in their cake decorating aisle)

Bake for 22-25 minutes (15-16 minutes for mini cupcakes), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.


Peppermint Vanilla Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/2 teaspoon milk

In a medium bowl, beat the butter and salt until light and fluffy

Sift in 1 cup of the powdered sugar and beat well.

Grab the saucepan used for the vanilla milk mixture for the cupcakes. Add the vanilla and peppermint extracts and the milk. Mix them around the saucepan.

Add the remaining powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency. If you accidentally add too much sugar, you can add a little bit more milk.

(Recipe adapted from Bayley Bakes)

Try to use a tip to frost the cupcakes after they have cooled. Use clear sprinkles to make them sparkle and jazz them up with the North Pole candy cane signs! SO cute and so delicious

Check out these other cute Christmas treats on our 30 days of Christmas Countdown:

Snowman Oreo Pops

Peppermint Oreos

Peppermint Krispy Treats