Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes

Hi there! In this installment of my wondrous blog, we witness the return of the prodigal candy cane cupcake: chocolate edition!

The first attempt at this was a complete flop--they barely rose, the texture was.. well, horrible. I experimented for a while and came up with these. And they're lovely! They would make a great base for a regular chocolate cupcake if you replaced the peppermint extract with chocolate, almond, or more vanilla. I have some leftover unfrosted ones that I'll be experimenting with later..

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Chocolate Candy Cane Cupcakes
Makes 12 cupcakes


1 cup flour
1/3 cup + 1 T cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup soy milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup + 3T sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup crushed candy canes (optional)
1 batch Candy Cane Icing
1 batch Chocolate Ganache

Crush the candy canes in a blender or food processor, if using. Preheat the oven to 350 and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Whisk together the soy milk and apple cider vinegar and set aside. Sift together the dry ingredients (down to salt) in a small bowl. Mix the rest of the wet ingredients (down to the extracts) in a large bowl and add the soy milk and vinegar, then the dry ingredients. Whisk with a fork or handheld blender until no lumps are left. Add the chocolate chips and crushed candy canes, and fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes.

Chocolate Ganache

1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 T soy milk
2 T maple syrup

Melt together all ingredients on the stove at medium to medium high heat. Stir with a rubber spatula until completely combined and remove from heat. Store in the fridge until ready to assemble the cupcakes.

To assemble:
Store cupcakes in the fridge until completely cooled. Ice with a spoonful of Candy Cane Icing, add a dollop of Chocolate Ganache, and top with more icing or a piece of a leftover candy cane.

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In other news, my Teese came! I made pizza yesterday (which is gone), and I have a half day of school today, so I plan on making me some grilled Teese when I get home. (!)

Love,
Jillian Renee