So you all know, friends, that this Artsy Mama is just that…an artist, not a chef! Which is why recipe and food posts here on the blog are few and far between. But I’ve got a treat for you today; these Peppermint Cupcakes are quite possibly one of the most delicious desserts I’ve had in a long time and they’re incredibly easy to make. Hubby’s family was having a Father’s Day get-together and my job was to bring dessert…I wanted something tasty and impressive looking that was, well, me-proof. So here you have it:
Before I begin, I want to say that this is NOT a sponsored post. Duncan Hines didn’t give me squat for free, much less pay me, although I would happily accept payment in the form of more peppermint icing flavor packs…
Let’s start with the cupcake part and then we’ll move on to the icing, ok? Are you ready for the long and complicated recipe? Here it is! Get yourself a box of
Duncan Hines Classic Yellow cake mix. Add the eggs, oil, and water as directed on the box, and make 24 cupcakes. Yup. That’s all I did.
{PS: when I was searching for this image on the Duncan Hines website, I found a coupon for 35 cents off any DH product. Too late for me to use it, but you can!}While your cupcakes are baking, it’s time to start the fun part. I have wanted to try this Frosting Creations stuff ever since I first saw it in stores a few months ago. I was kind of hoping a campaign would come up for it and I’d get to try it for free, but alas, no such luck! Here’s how it works. You buy the Frosting Starter, which is unflavored, and a powdered flavor mix. Hubby and I both love all things peppermint, so I chose the peppermint stick one.
{Meanwhile, there’s a coupon on the website for $1 off any flavor packet too! So not fair!}You open the Frosting Starter and poke a hole down through the center of it. Then, you dump in the flavor mix.
Stir it up really well until it looks thoroughly mixed. Then stir it some more because it probably isn’t.
At this point, I had a very messy knife that needed to be cleaned off a bit before I put it in the dishwasher…hmmm…what to do?
Man, seriously, I could sit with a spoon and eat the whole container. No joke.
At this point, you’ll want to put the frosting in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes because that will make it easier to work with when it’s time to decorate your cupcakes.
Now for the fun part! You’ll need a decorating bag, a decorating tip, and the plastic thing-a-ma-bobs that go with it. Hmm. I guess I should be more specific. Hold on while I google what they’re really called.
*cue Jeopardy music…doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo…..*
Whew, ok. I’m back. Did you miss me? The plastic thing-a-ma-bobs are called couplers.
Now, here’s how you use them. First, cut off the end of your decorating bag and place the inside coupler in the bag. Then, sit your tip on top of it. Secure it by screwing the other coupler down over the tip. To add your icing, fold the ends of the bag down so they don’t get all messy and use a spoon, knife, or spatula to place your icing inside the bag. Try to pack it tightly so there aren’t a lot of air bubbles.
Once your icing is in the bag, twist it shut and grip it at the twisted part with whichever hand you use to write. Now, if you squeeze, icing will come out of the tip!
There are lots of ways to decorate a cupcake; I made a simple spiral. I started on the outside and gradually worked my way around the cupcake toward the inside. It’s important to keep consistent pressure when you’re squeezing so everything looks even.
I topped the icing with some red sprinkles and an Andes mint to enhance the peppermint fun!
I got rave reviews from the guests, and I may or may not have eaten two of them myself. Trust me, they’re good. Really really good.
That’s all there is to it! An easy dessert that looks like you bought it or spent hours in the kitchen…just the way I like it.
Hugs & Glitter,
That’s it, now I know we are sisters…. I am pretty sure I would eat an entire container of that icing no problem! yummmmmm!
Yum!!
These are very pretty and I’m sure they are just as yummy. I’ve been wanting to try those packets too.
YUMMY!!!!! These look so good! I think I am going to have to give them a try! I’m sure mine won’t look nearly as pretty, but hopefully they taste just as good! 🙂
Yum. I could really go for one – or three – of these right now! Thanks for the recipe.
I am a terrible baker, but these look delish- I’ll have to try! Pinned!
Best,
Tracie- the bunch