Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes

This is my first year making these for Christmas. How could I not when I absolutely love the combination of chocolate and peppermint!

Ingredients:

1 box chocolate cake mix

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter (softened)

4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp peppermint extract

4 - 5 Tbsp milk

5 peppermint candies

Make cake mix according to package directions. I used the Betty Crocker Triple Chocolate Fudge cake. It had small chocolate chips in it that won me over.

Pour prepared cake mix into 24 paper lined cupcake tins. Bake according to directions and allow the cupcakes to cool to room temperature.

While the cupcakes are cooling, make the peppermint frosting.

In a large bowl, combine the shortening and butter. Add powdered sugar, peppermint extract, and 3 Tbsp of milk. Once the frosting is combined, continue to add 1 to 2 more Tbsp until you reach your desired consistency.

Place peppermints in a small resealable plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to get out all your aggression on those peppermints.

Believe me, it won't take very long and before you know it you will have small chunks of peppermints to accent the cupcakes.

Put your frosting in a large pastry bag. You can use a large round tip, or you can do what I did and just cut off the tip of your pastry bag. I cut it about 1-1/2 inch up from the tip.

Frost the cupcakes by squeezing the bag while making a circular motion on the cupcake.

Remember those crushed peppermints?

Now is the time to use them. Sprinkles the peppermint all over the top of the cupcakes. The larger chunks may not stick, so you will probably have to lightly press them into the frosting.

And now you're done. That's it!

Simple and delicious.