Candy Cane Chocolate Cupcakes

by Aggies Kitchen on December 29, 2008

I have to tell you…this will be the last you see of my baking for a little while,
I need a serious detox from all the yummy food I’ve been eating this holiday. It’s been wonderful, but I feel like I’ve been gaining weight by the minute.

These cupcakes were perfect for a last minute sweet to bring to a gathering. We were getting together with my husband’s family, he is the youngest of 7 and there are lots of grandchildren and cousins in the family, 15 to be exact. Not everyone was able to make it this time, but there were plenty of us still. I wanted to bring something fun for all of the kids, and of course for the grown ups too. And really, I wanted to get rid of a bunch of candy canes hanging around the house.

One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes
Recipe from Martha Stewart Everyday Food

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with liners; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla; mix batter until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.

Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about one-third full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

Makes 2 dozen cupcakes.

Easy Vanilla Frosting

1 1/2 sticks of butter, room temperature
2 1/4 confectioners sugar.
1 tsp of vanilla
splash of milk

Combine ingredients in a mixer, mix for about 4 minutes until smooth.

Top with crushed candy canes. (To crush, place candy canes or candy cane pieces in small ziplock bag. Using a the handle of a knife gently crush candy canes into small pieces.)

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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }

Erica December 29, 2008 at 5:57 pm

These are so cute! Great idea. I hear ya about the sweets! My usual apple (half with PB half without) breakfast was replaced with yummy banana coconut bread this past week and I had sweets after dinner almost every night! Detox!!!

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Barbara Bakes December 29, 2008 at 6:06 pm

I need to go on a post holiday baking freeze as well. But I have a mint brownie mix that this would be perfect topping for!

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Paula December 29, 2008 at 6:36 pm

Great photography, especially that tilted shot! I like your new avatar photo, too! Happy New Year!

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Bridgett December 29, 2008 at 6:54 pm

Aggie, can you send me your extras you feel you may not eat? I seemed to have lost my appetite over Xmas with all the food hanging around, but these cupcakes look fantastic.

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Dawn December 29, 2008 at 7:09 pm

I love easy-one-pot recipes at times when I am tired or out of time.
I think a break sounds good; I’m thinking of it as well.
Happy New Year to you and your family!

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Gloria Chadwick December 29, 2008 at 7:25 pm

Okay, everyone in unison: No more sweets! LOL. But your cupcakes do look really good. Very tempting.

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Lisa Harper December 29, 2008 at 8:09 pm

They look great! I can tell you’re using the new camera. Bravo!

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Maria December 29, 2008 at 8:36 pm

I have made these before, they are super delicious! Love the candy cane topping!! I need to detox too! I am glad the holidays are over for that reason!

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Cathy December 29, 2008 at 9:06 pm

These look wonderful! I will have to try some as soon as I get out of sugar detox. I am sure I will still have candy canes hanging around in March! Hope you had a great holiday!

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Lisa December 29, 2008 at 10:15 pm

These look great! I am starting my healthy regimen January 2nd. Until them I am eating what I want:)

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HoneyB December 29, 2008 at 10:37 pm

Oh yeah. I’d like one please! :)

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Jenny December 29, 2008 at 11:52 pm

Those cupcakes look so wonderful, I love candy cane on top of desserts! I’ve had more treats the last few weeks to last me through next year, it’s sickening, but I love it! Happy New Year!

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Annie December 30, 2008 at 12:54 am

Hahahaha, as I read this post I am eating leftover sweets… cheesecake and apple tart and cookies of coarse. I think we will all need to detox after all the baking!!!
But the cupcakes look great :0)

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Pamela December 30, 2008 at 1:40 am

You are TOTALLY not alone on feeling like you have gained weight by the minute. This holiday was rough for me, too! These cupcakes look like a great way to use up the candy canes. Fabulous job, as usual. :o )

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Girl Japan December 30, 2008 at 3:27 am

aaha but this is the best time to gain an inch or two- I have been feeling guilty so I have a pedometer to kick my butt back in gear… if I have not gained at least the steps kept it the same.. eeekkk I hope..

I LOVE the photo of you and darling hubs…what a fabulous couple, great picture.. as for the lovely cupcakes… they look lovely….. it is hard diet with all these goodies surround us during the holidays..

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Mary Ann December 30, 2008 at 3:41 am

Aggie, your cupcakes look fabulous! What a fun treat for all the cousins. Looks like a fun way to use up leftover cupcakes. I can’t swear off baking, even though I should. They look perfect!

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Sara December 30, 2008 at 4:30 am

These are beautiful – I hear you on the detox, more vegetables, less sugar in my house!

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anudivya December 30, 2008 at 5:08 am

That frosting sounds yummy!
Happy New Year Aggie!

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Kaitlin December 30, 2008 at 8:13 am

These look really yummy. I love the look of crushed candy canes =)

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Katie @ Epicurean Mom December 7, 2011 at 1:41 pm

Mmmmmmmm! Peppermint and chocolate combo is my all time favorite! This look so decadent!!

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