Ultimate Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes: Rich Coffee Chocolate Cake with Creamy Mint Frosting and Ganache

Prepare to be enchanted by the exquisite blend of rich, dark chocolate and refreshing mint in these incredible Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes. These aren’t just any cupcakes; they’re a decadent symphony for your taste buds, featuring a secret ingredient in the cake that amplifies its chocolatey depth, paired with a dreamy, vibrant mint frosting, and crowned with a luscious mint chocolate ganache. Each bite offers a perfect balance of intense chocolate and cool, invigorating mint – an unforgettable treat that promises to delight.

A Sweet Collaboration: From Guest Post to Your Kitchen

This delightful recipe for Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes holds a special place, as it originally debuted as a guest post over at my dear friend Sherron’s blog, Simply Gourmet. It was summertime, a season synonymous with vacations and cherished family moments. Sherron, with her family, was off enjoying the vibrant streets of New York City, and I was thrilled to fill in, sharing a recipe that perfectly captured the spirit of indulgent summer treats.

What makes this recipe truly special, beyond its incredible flavor, is its surprising simplicity. I wanted to create something spectacular yet achievable for everyone, even for a busy day baking with the kids. That’s why I started with a quality box mix as a foundation, demonstrating that a gourmet-tasting dessert doesn’t always require hours of scratch baking. This approach makes the Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes a perfect project for bakers of all skill levels, ensuring delicious results every time.

While you’re savoring the thought of these cupcakes, I highly recommend popping over to Simply Gourmet to explore Sherron’s culinary wonderland. You’ll find an array of amazing recipes, like her exquisite Caramelized Onion and Garlic Focaccia Bread. And here’s a fun fact: Sherron also became a writer for Capitol Style Magazine! Her talent truly shines through in everything she does. Be sure to check out her stunning food photography – it’s so captivating, you’ll feel like you can reach right into your screen and grab a bite!

The Secret Ingredient: Coffee in Chocolate Cake

One of the most remarkable aspects of these Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes is the inclusion of coffee in the cake batter. Don’t worry, your cupcakes won’t taste like coffee! Instead, coffee acts as a magical flavor enhancer, deepening the chocolate notes and making them even richer and more profound. It’s a classic baker’s trick that transforms a good chocolate cake into an extraordinary one. For this recipe, I even suggest using leftover black coffee from your morning pot – a simple and ingenious way to add incredible depth of flavor while minimizing waste. This subtle addition creates a moist, dark chocolate cake that perfectly complements the bright mint layers to come.

Layers of Minty Chocolate Perfection: Buttercream and Ganache

Beyond the rich coffee-infused chocolate cake, these cupcakes boast two distinct minty layers that elevate them to pure indulgence. First, there’s the creamy Mint Buttercream Frosting, a velvety-smooth concoction that delivers a burst of refreshing mint flavor. Its light green hue and fluffy texture make it visually appealing and delightful to eat. Then, to truly seal the deal on decadence, a silky Chocolate Mint Ganache is drizzled over the top. This ganache is infused with mint extract, creating a harmonious blend of dark chocolate and cool mint that melts in your mouth. The combination of these layers—the deep chocolate cake, the vibrant mint buttercream, and the glistening mint chocolate ganache—creates a multi-dimensional dessert experience that’s truly unforgettable.

After originally sharing this recipe with Simply Gourmet, I decided to permanently feature it here on my own blog, adding the recipe on December 29, 2012, so it would always be easily accessible to my readers. It quickly became a fan favorite, and it’s easy to see why!

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Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe

Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

For the Cake

1 box Devil’s Food cake mix
Ingredients called for on box, but substitute black coffee for the water! Use that leftover coffee from your morning pot for a rich, deep chocolate flavor.

Mint Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
8 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 Tablespoon Mint Extract
6 Tablespoons milk

Chocolate Ganache

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons mint extract

Instructions

Prepare Pans: Line cupcake tins with paper liners.
Mix Cake Batter: Mix cake according to directions on the box, remembering to substitute black coffee for the water listed. Fill liners about 2/3 full. Bake according to box directions until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool Cupcakes: Let cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before frosting. This is crucial to prevent your frosting from melting.
Make Frosting: To make your Mint Buttercream Frosting, cream together softened butter and vegetable shortening until smooth and well combined. Slowly add in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, ensuring your mixer is on a low speed to avoid a cloud of sugar. Add in the mint extract and 5 tablespoons of milk. Blend until smooth and creamy, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently. Test for spread-ability. If needed, add in the remaining milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. You want your frosting to be a bit on the stiff side to provide a sturdy base for the ganache.
Prepare Ganache: To make the Chocolate Ganache, place semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwaveable bowl. Heat for about 60 seconds on high power and then check. You want your chips just starting to melt. Be extremely careful not to burn them – burnt chocolate is bitter! Add the milk and mint extract, then stir until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy. You may need to heat for another 20 seconds or so if the chips haven’t fully melted. The goal is for your ganache to drip off the spoon smoothly. Let it cool a bit until it thickens slightly but is still pourable, then generously drizzle it over your frosted cupcakes. Think of the perfect swirl top at Dairy Queen for inspiration!
Store and Serve: Store the finished cupcakes in the refrigerator to keep the frosting and ganache firm. For the best taste and texture (you want your buttercream nice and soft and yielding), remove them from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Recipe source: ChocolateChocolateandmore.com

Did you make this recipe?

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Effortless Decorating for Professional-Looking Cupcakes

You don’t need to be a pastry chef to create stunning cupcakes! If you’ve ever felt intimidated by cake decorating, I’m here to tell you that two simple tools can transform your homemade cupcakes into professional-looking delights: a 1A tip and a pastry bag. The 1A tip is simply a large round hole, perfect for creating smooth, elegant swirls or dollops of frosting with minimal effort. Pair it with a 1M tip (a large star tip) for beautiful rosettes or textured swirls. These two tips are pretty much the only ones I use, and they consistently make my cupcakes look like they came from a high-end bakery. I often use disposable pastry bags, washing and reusing them until they’re truly worn out – it’s an easy and economical way to keep your decorating tools clean and ready.

To decorate your Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes, simply load your mint buttercream into a pastry bag fitted with a 1M tip. Pipe a swirl of frosting onto each cooled cupcake, imagining you’re working at your favorite ice cream parlor. It’s truly easy, and the results are incredibly impressive, turning a simple cupcake into a work of art.

Full-Size or Mini: The Choice is Yours!

When I made these Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes, we experimented with both full-size and mini versions. While there’s absolutely no difference in taste, I must admit I had a slight preference for the minis. Perhaps it’s the charm of those three wonderful, perfectly portioned bites, each delivering a delightful taste of all three layers – the rich coffee chocolate cake, the creamy mint buttercream, and the luscious chocolate mint ganache. Plus, the smaller size meant I could indulge in three (or more!) without feeling too guilty! Mini cupcakes are also fantastic for parties and gatherings, offering guests a bite-sized treat that’s easy to handle and enjoy.

Craving More Minty Delights? Explore These Recipes!

If you’re a devoted fan of the refreshing combination of mint and chocolate, then these Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes are just the beginning! I have a whole collection of recipes that celebrate this fantastic flavor pairing. Dive into more minty goodness with these delicious treats:

Cream Cheese Mints
These delightful, melt-in-your-mouth mints, often called Wedding Mints, are incredibly easy to make and perfect for special occasions or just a sweet craving.

Grasshopper Pie
A truly delightful frozen treat combining chocolate cookies, crushed Andes Mint candies, and a hint of Crème de Menthe for a refreshingly cool dessert.

Mint Chocolate Bark
Simple, elegant, and irresistibly delicious, this mint chocolate bark is a perfect homemade gift or a quick indulgence for yourself.

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Because Andes Mints are simply awesome, this homemade ice cream is packed with cool mint flavor and chunks of chocolatey goodness.

Chocolate Mint Snaps
Crisp, chewy, and bursting with chocolate and mint, these cookies are a delightful twist on a classic favorite.

A Decadent Treat Awaiting Your Kitchen

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, hosting a gathering, or simply craving a moment of pure indulgence, these Midnight Mint Chocolate Cupcakes are sure to hit the spot. The magical combination of coffee-infused chocolate cake, creamy mint buttercream, and glistening chocolate mint ganache creates a dessert that is both sophisticated and incredibly comforting. Don’t let the multi-layered description fool you – this recipe is designed for ease, allowing even novice bakers to achieve stunning, bakery-worthy results. So gather your ingredients, enlist some little helpers if you wish, and embark on a delicious journey to creating these truly decadent treats. Happy baking!