Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes

I did not forget to bake - I did not have to post. So here is the post for Thursday January 6th.

Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes
from Annie Eats 12/9/2011

I did make one change - I did not use the peppermint frosting that she used. I use a basic buttercream frosting but used peppermint extract as opposed to vanilla extract. Here is the recipe.

1/2 cup - 1 stick of butter, softened
3 - 4 cups of powdered sugar (confectioner's sugar)
1 Tbs milk
1 tsp of peppermint extract

Cream the butter until fluffy, add the powder sugar. Add the milk and extract until mixed and fluffy.

cupcake batter

Peppermint Cupcakes without frosting

my helper crushing the candy canes

Finished! They got the approval of little man. So these are a hit too!

Enjoy!

Cappuccino Crinkles

The graham crackers were a huge success. I am making the batch of marshmallows and putting together s'mores kits for a few lucky people!


Tonight -

Cappuccino Cookies!
from 100 best cookies page 24, #16 on the list

1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 TBS instant coffee crystals
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 egg whites
1/3 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar

350 degree oven

Large bowl beat butter on med to high speed for 30 seconds.
Add brown sugar, cocoa powder, coffee crystals, baking soda, and cinnamon.
Beat until combined, scrape the side of the bowl occasionally
Beat in egg whites and yogurt until combined,
Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Use a wooden spoon to stir in any remaining flour.

Place the granulated sugar in a small bowl.
Scoop and shape 1-inch balls of dough. Roll them in the sugar to coat.
Place 2-inches apart on a baking sheet (cover the baking sheet with parchment paper)

Bake for 8 - 10 minutes or until edges are firm.
Cool on wire rack.

Approx. 32 cookies. ( I got about 56 with my small cookie scoop)

Can store in air tight container up to a week or freeze for 3 months.

The dough mixed and scooping. Smells great.

rolled in sugar and ready for the oven

Finished product. These smell so great. Can't wait to sample.

Enjoy!

Mocha Cocoa

I included 2 servings of this cocoa mix in each box. I wanted them to have a nice beverage to drink with their cookies. I made 4 batches. I put mine in bags with the directions included. This would be really cute in mason jars with cute tags and chocolate dipped spoons or peppermint sticks.

Mocha Cocoa
 makes 12 servings

1 cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup instant espresso powder
1 cup powder milk
1/2 tsp salt

Mix and put in the chosen package.
I put mini chocolate chips on top of the cocoa mix. I just put about 1 - 2 Tablespoons in each bag.

Directions to make the mocha cocoa

Combine 1/3 cup mix and 1 cup boiling water. Stir and enjoy.

Enjoy!