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Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes are decadently rich but surprisingly easy to make with my simple cake mix hack!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes behind the main one up front and in focus.

I love a good cake mix hack, don’t you? As far as I’m concerned, there is nothing better than working smarter, not harder! And doctoring up a cake mix and to achieve a super moist and flavorful cake is definitely smart and easier than making it from scratch.

So I took my favorite cake mix hack recipe and gave it a little love to make these fantastic Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes. The chocolate and peppermint flavor combo is one that I cannot seem to get enough of! They go together so deliciously and feel especially festive around the holidays.

Rows of Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with the middle one in focus.

Now I know we’re still in November, and haven’t even made it to Thanksgiving yet, but these cupcakes are just too good not to share! I added hot cocoa into the cake mix to make it extra chocolate-y and delicious! Peppermint extract is an excellent way to add it bit of minty-goodness without overwhelming everything (a little goes a long way!) and Andes Baking Chips to add some nice texture.

An overhead image of rows of Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes.

Freshly whipped cream makes the perfect topping and fits so well with the theme (this is modeled after a comforting mug of hot chocolate after all!). I opted to top them with sugar sprinkles and festive paper straws but you could also go with mini marshmallows.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes lined up.

And not only do these taste fantastic, but they look super cute too! They’re the perfect dish to pass for your upcoming holiday parties and are also super kid-friendly! My oldest daughter was especially crazy about these (she is definitely her mother’s daughter when it comes to chocolate and mint!).

In her usual style, she made a point to eat all the whipped cream off the top and then proceeded to devour the cupcake and ask for seconds in a record amount of time. Your friends and family will never know just how easy these were to make!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes in the background with a single one up front with the cupcake liner pulled down.
Recipe
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes lined up.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

5 from 2 votes
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes are decadently rich but surprisingly easy to make with my simple cake mix hack!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 20 cupcakes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box of chocolate cake mix
  • 6 ounces of your favorite hot chocolate mix I used 6 1 ounce packets
  • 1 cup of warm water
  • 3/4 cup of vegetable or canola oil
  • 5 extra-large eggs I’ve used large and it still came out wonderful
  • 2 teaspoons peppermint extract divided
  • 1 cup Andes Creme de Menthe baking chips  aff
  • 1 pint heavy cream
  • 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • Red and green sugar sprinkles
  • Red and white paper straws cut into thirds (optional)
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Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and line a muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.
  • In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat together cake mix, hot chocolate mix, water, oil, eggs and 1 ½ teaspoons peppermint extract until just combined.
  • Fold in the peppermint baking chips.
  • Fill the cupcake cups ¾ of the way. (an ice cream scoop works great for this).
  • Bake 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  • Cool completely.
  • In a large, cold metal bowl and using an electric mixer, whip together heavy cream, powdered sugar and remaining peppermint extract until it forms fluffy, slightly stiff peaks.
  • Pipe whipped cream onto the tops of the cupcakes.
  • Sprinkle with red and green sugar sprinkles and place a straw into each cupcake at a diagonal angle.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

It’s best to serve these right away. Freshly whipped cream holds up decently in the refrigerator for a few days but is best right away.
Keyword fresh whipped cream, hot chocolate cupcakes, peppermint hot chocolate cupcakes

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 5gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 285mgPotassium: 114mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 425IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 83mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

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I also love these cupcakes:

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Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes made extra moist and tasty with a simple cake mix hack. Christmas dessert.

Jessy

Jessy is a busy mom and wife. She blogs over at The Life Jolie, a place to talk about all things delicious, family-related and pretty.

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5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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