Chocolate Mini Cupcakes With Peppermint Stick Icing - Ww

Ingredients

Cupcakes

• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably dutch process
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup strong regular coffee or decaffeinated coffee, cooled

Icing

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon nonfat milk
• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 3 (4 inch)  candy canes, finely crushed

Directions

1. 1

   To prepare cupcakes adjust the racks to divide the oven in thirds and reheat the oven to 350. Line 36 nonstick mini muffin pan cups with paper liners or spray with nonstick spray.

2. 2

   Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl; set aside.

3. 3

   With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and granulated sugar, in a mixing bowl until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; then add the vanilla.

4. 4

   Add one third of the flour mixture, beating until smooth, then add one half of the coffee and beat well. Repeat with another one third of the flour mixture and the remaining coffee, beating well after each addition; then beat in the rest of the flour mixture. Pour the batter into the cupcake cups, filling them one half full. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Cool completely on a rack.

5. 5

   Meanwhile, to prepare the icing, combine the confectioners' sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla and peppermint extracts in a medium bowl, stirring until smooth and adding a little water if needed, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make a spreadable consistency. Stir in the crushed candy canes and spread about 1 teaspoon of icing onto each cupcake.