Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes

I've had this picture sitting around for months now, waiting to be blogged about.  I remember how tasty and perfect these came out, especially in mini form , and couldn't wait to tell you all about them.  So why the wait, you ask?  Well, I couldn't find the recipe for the life of me.  I have a folder of blog recipes to try, a folder of hard copy recipes to try, a folder of recipes to type up, and a folder of recipes to blog.  It wasn't in any of these folders.  I was convinced that I'd lost it forever.  Until today.  I have been up since the wee hour of 4:00 am and did some serious google searching and finally found it!!  So before I lose it again, here it is!

Enjoy!!

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes with Ganache Center

(makes about 24 full size)

Cupcakes

1  1/2 cups boiling water

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1  1/2 cups sugar

6 tablespoons butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1  2/3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Ganache

1 cup bittersweet chocolate

3/4 cup whipping cream

Frosting

2 sticks butter, room temperature

4-5 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1/4 cup milk 

1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract

For cupcakes

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare liners.
• Combine boiling water and cocoa, whisk well and let cool.
• Beat sugar, butter, and vanilla on medium speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Combine flour, baking soda and powder, and salt in a small bowl.  Whisk to combine.  Add to butter mixture alternately with cocoa mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.  This is a thin batter, don't worry!
• Fill liners about 2/3 full and bake 17-20 minutes (minis took me about 12 minutes). Cool.

For ganache

• Chop chocolate and place in a glass bowl.  Bring cream to a boil and pour over chocolate.  Let sit for 30 seconds or so and then stir until smooth.  Let sit until thick enough to pipe.

For frosting

• Beat butter until creamy.  Add 4 cups powdered sugar, milk, and peppermint and beat until combined.  Add more sugar to get a piping consistency.

To Assemble

• Once cupcakes are cool but a small cone out of the center of each top and fill with ganache.  Replace top (or don't, I've done both).
• Pipe frosting on top.  I used a Wilton 1M tip for my little star dollop and it was perfect.  
• Pipe ganache in a zig zag over the top.

What happens when I photograph during non-nap times:

I found this recipe in several parts on Iheartcuppycakes.