If you love to bake but also love a good shortcut, this recipe is for you. These easy chocolate peppermint cupcakes taste like you made them completely from scratch, but the store bought mixes will save you time! They are the perfect holiday treat and go perfectly with a cup of hot cocoa or our chai hot chocolate.
Fun fact… I first made these chocolate peppermint cupcakes 9 years ago when I decided to bake a different cupcake recipe every week. I remember how much we all loved this one and yet for some reason, it took me 9 years to make them again. I love everything about these cupcakes, but I think my favorite part is taking a bite and finding melted chocolate inside. They are so good!
Let’s talk about ingredients. If you don’t regularly use sour cream in your baked goods, this recipe might just change your mind. Sour cream makes these chocolate peppermint cupcakes so fluffy and soft.
You want to choose a chocolate cake mix that is 15.25oz. There are lots of them in the store and the brand really doesn’t matter. I usually go with the fudge chocolate cake because we love these chocolate peppermint cupcakes to be extra chocolatey.
While the recipe calls for chocolate baking squares, you can also use mini semi-sweet chocolate chips as well, which will save you a little bit of time since you don’t have to chop them up.
You can use either soft peppermint candies or mini candy canes. Either one will need to be crushed. I usually put 12 or so into a resealable bag, leaving one corner unsealed to allow the air to escape, and then use a kitchen tool or a hammer to crush them into pieces. It’s okay if they turn to dust as well. That will be sprinkled on top of the whipped topping. You can probably also use a food processor, though I haven’t tried that yet.
The peppermint flavor is very slight in these chocolate peppermint cupcakes, so if you want to add just a bit of extra peppermint flavor, I recommend adding a tsp of peppermint extract to the batter.
Lastly, to save even more time, you can substitute the frozen whipped topping for a canister of refrigerated whipped cream. No need to use a piping bag or decorator tool since the whipped cream has a built in pressurized nozzle to top your cupcakes easily and quickly.
While you don’t need many kitchen tools to make these chocolate peppermint cupcakes, there are a few things that I personally use to make things easier.
If you don’t already have a KitchenAid stand mixer and you love to cook and bake, it’s an investment that you should make. I was given mine as a gift years ago and I use it on a pretty regular basis. I just purchased the glass bowl and plan to purchase the slicer/shredder attachment next. There is so much you can do with it!
Another of my favorite tools for cupcakes and cookies is a cookie scoop. It helps to make sure that all of your cupcakes or cookies are the same size.
Lastly, I use a decorator tool to add the whipped topping to the cupcakes. It’s easy. You just open it up, add in your whipped topping, close it and then squeeze onto your cupcakes. They have a variety of tips to make different designs as well.
I’ve tried to show the steps in photos above for you, to make it a bit easier.
Step 1: All ingredients except for the peppermint candies and chocolate.
Step 2: After the first step’s ingredients have been mixed.
Step 3: Adding in the peppermint candies and chocolate.
Step 4: After all of the ingredients have been mixed.
Step 5: Scooped cake batter into cupcake liners.
Step 6: Chocolate peppermint cupcakes fresh out of the oven.
Now that you know a little bit about our easy chocolate peppermint cupcakes, I’m excited to share our recipe.
Easy Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
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Easy Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 23 min
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 36 1x
Description
A quick and easy cupcake recipe that is perfect for the holidays. A hint of peppermint is the perfect compliment for this soft and fluffy chocolate cupcake.
Ingredients
- 4oz semi-sweet baking chocolate squares, chopped
- 12 soft peppermint candies or 6 mini candy canes, crushed
- 15.25oz package of chocolate cake mix
- 3.9oz package of instant chocolate pudding mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp peppermint extract (optional)
- 8oz frozen whipped topping, thawed
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350°
- Chop chocolate and crush peppermints/candy cane and set aside.
- Set the frozen whipped topping on the counter to allow to thaw.
- Put liners in your muffin pan and set aside.
- Using a standing mixer, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and water (and peppermint extract should you choose to use it). Start on low speed for 30 seconds and then mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Stir in chopped chocolate and 4 tbsp peppermint pieces, by hand, until fully combined.
- Fill each cupcake liner with your batter (about 1/2 full).
- Bake for approx. 23 minutes. If you stick a toothpick into the center, it should come out dry if they are completely cooked.
- Let them cool in pan for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a cooling rack until they are completely cool.
- Place thawed whipped topping into a piping bag or decorator tool and ice the tops of each cooled cupcake.
- Sprinkle with the remaining crushed peppermints/candy canes.
If you try our chocolate peppermint cupcakes recipe, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Don’t forget to check out all of our family friendly recipes!
*This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, our family will make a small commission, with no added charges to you. As always, we appreciate your support!
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Maysz
December 16, 2020I love cupcakes and this chocolate peppermint cupcakes looks so delicious and I can’t wait to try this for x-mass. Save this post!
★★★★★
Clarice
December 16, 2020Wow! This looks really good. Very timely as my parents will be arriving to spend the holidays with us. Can’t wait to try these chocolate peppermint cupcakes.
G
December 16, 2020These cupcakes look amazing! Gotta buy myself some pepermints this weekend.
Catalina
December 16, 2020Oh my goodness! How good and inviting these peppermint cupcakes look! Yum!
★★★★★
Ntensibe Edgar
December 16, 2020Hhhhmmmm…I have never done chocolate mixed with mint before. I would love to. Sounds nice!
anas
December 15, 2020Wah i have never made cupcakes but now that i have oven I may start baking. thanks for the recipe:)
Monica Y
December 15, 2020These look delicious and something my husband that loves chocolate is going to enjoy when I make them
Amanda
December 15, 2020Such a perfect flavor combo. Can’t wait to make these this holiday season!
katrina m kroeplin
December 15, 2020this looks so good. i love baking as do my kids. they would love helping me with this.
Erin
December 15, 2020Those cupcakes look so delicious and yummy!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
December 15, 2020Hmm yum! These cupcakes are making me drool right now! They look so delicious and and satisfying!
★★★★★
Kuntala Bhattacharya
December 15, 2020Looks so delicious, I am tempted to prepare it. I had been baking brownies and muffins. Will be happy to try out your recipe.
★★★★★
April
December 15, 2020These look so delicious and perfect for the holidays! My daughter wants to make cupcakes for Santa and these would be perfect!
Kate | Life of a Ginger
December 15, 2020Oh YUM! I think the combo of chocolate and peppermint is perfection! And these look so cute too!
Amary
December 15, 2020Looks well moist on the inside, something I can give a try
Catherine
December 15, 2020The frosting looks so light and delicious! What a fabulous treat for the holidays!
Lynndee
December 15, 2020Oooh, I love me some peppermint. I had it in my coffee before but not in cupcakes. Looks good!
Jenn
December 15, 2020I love the combo of chocolate and peppermint. Need to try this recipe asap!
Cassie
December 15, 2020Oh my goodness these look so yummy!!!!
Marina
December 15, 2020Just saved the recipe. Sure these are super yummy x
Emily Fata
December 15, 2020This recipe looks like the perfect one to make over the holidays! I’d love to try making it myself, too.
sara lafountain
December 15, 2020My daughter and I made these cupcakes together and they were amazing! We love peppermint chocolate everything!
★★★★★
Deborah Brooks
December 15, 2020Chocolate peppermint is always one of our favorites around here. Love this simple recipe and cannot wait to try it out
★★★★★
Erik the Hungry Traveller
December 15, 2020I am obsessed with peppermint. Seriously, I just sniffed a peppermint balm before reading this blog. LOL.
And this chocolate peppermint cupcake I have got to make over the weekend. I have tried a peppermint cake and it just tasted divine! I am certain this recipe would taste awesome too.
Happy Holidays !
Sandy N Vyjay
December 15, 2020The combination of chocolate and peppermint sounds really amazing. The cupcakes are looking so enticing, would love to have them for Christmas!
★★★★★
Gervin Khan
December 15, 2020Wow, this cupcake recipe is so easy and looks really delicious. I need to try this, will print your recipe. Thank you!
Anosa Malanga
December 15, 2020Peppermint is one of the flavors that we look forward to every holiday season. I guess being able to read this recipe would convince me to make some over the holidays.
Sarah Bailey
December 15, 2020Oh my goodness these cupcakes sound absolutely amazing, what a great festive treat.
Helen Little
December 15, 2020What a gorgeous festive recipe, I’m going to try this with my kids.
Rose Ann Sales
December 15, 2020I love this flavor so much. This cupcakes seems so yummy.
★★★★★
Rachita Saxena
December 15, 2020OMG! These cupcakes look sooooo cute. Definitely trying this recipe at home! 😀
Pati Robins
December 15, 2020i love anything with mint , so these cupcakes have really sparked my interest , i cannot wait to try them
Rose Ann Sales
December 15, 2020I’ve been thinking of what delicious dessert or snack to try for Christmas. This one sounds perfect.
★★★★★
Nikki Wayne
December 15, 2020Seems so delicious. I just wonder where to buy those soft peppermint. Seems unavailable in my area.
★★★★★
Sondra Barker
December 15, 2020These cupcakes look amazing. The perfect dessert for the holidays. Thanks for the recipe.
★★★★★
WanderlustBeautyDreams
December 14, 2020This looks so DELICIOUS! I’m going to attempt to make these this upcoming weekend. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.
Beth
December 14, 2020These cupcakes look delicious! I always appreciate an easier recipe with a delicious result!
★★★★★
Ryan Escat
December 16, 2020It looks so delicious 😋 I’m probably making this recipe anytime I want. But most especially for occasions for everyone to taste it.
★★★★★
Ashley t
December 14, 2020These look so good and I love that they are easy to make.
★★★★★
Tasheena
December 14, 2020This looks like a yummy combination. I can’t wait to give this a try.
★★★★★
Bri
December 14, 2020I love chocolate and mint! I need to make these for Christmas!
★★★★★
Kita Bryant
December 14, 2020I can just imagine what these smells like. I would love to try these!
★★★★★
Kathy
December 14, 2020These sure do look great. I’ve been looking for more holiday treats to make with the kids. I think this would be a perfect one. We haven’t done cupcakes yet.
Cinny
December 14, 2020LOL, my son was all excited about the cupcakes. We may just have to make some.
Ryan Escat
December 15, 2020I will ask my wife to try this. Peppermint flavor sounds so fun. And I love the colors.
★★★★★
Celebrate Woman Today
December 14, 2020We’ll make this recipe with my son. He adores cooking.
Pam Wattenbarger
December 14, 2020Those look delicious! My son is a huge fan of peppermint and chocolate. I need to make him a batch!
Myrah Duque
December 14, 2020Oh yum yum! These CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CUPCAKES are really easy! They look so good too.
Tomi C
December 14, 2020Heather, the ice cream / cookie scoop tip is a tried and true cupcake tip. Keeps the cupcakes uniform in size
Tara Pittman
December 14, 2020These look so yummy. This is something that my boys could make for dessert.
Amber Myers
December 14, 2020You had me at easy. We love cupcakes here, so I will need to make these with the kids. Yum!
★★★★★
Brianne
December 14, 2020Holy peppermint chocolate goodness! I have to make up a batch of these for us as a Christmas Day treat. I think we’re all going to love them.
★★★★★
Surekha
December 14, 2020I’m getting so hungry just looking at these! I LOVE chocolate and peppermint. It’s one of my favorite taste combos, especially this time of year.
★★★★★
Raina
December 14, 2020Nice and easy recipe! My daughter would love it, time to get baking.
Lisa
December 14, 2020I’m drooling over this cupcake recipe. the peppermint flavour is a nice touch too.
Carleen
December 14, 2020Chocolate cupcakes with peppermint? Um, yeah! Sign me up! Looks perfect for the holidays.
Matt Taylor
December 14, 2020These look absolutely amazing. You can’t go wrong with peppermint and chocolate. Such perfect cupcakes for the holiday season. 🙂
★★★★★
Rosey
December 16, 2020I agree that these are a great idea for the holidays. Classic flavors and everyone loves cupckaes