Guess what! I am having a white Christmas this year. Okay, there’s no snow, so technically it’s not white but it’s Christmas in the middle of winter. You don’t get it? Living in Australia, our Christmas is anything but cold. It is in the peak of summer and our produce is as colorful as can be. Instead of warm puddings, we celebrate with fruit loaded Pavlovas and Ice cream cakes. But this year I am sitting snug and cosy amidst family in the northern hemisphere enjoying every bit of the season. After all, that’s the true meaning of Christmas, isn’t it? Family and home!
I made these cupcakes before I left for my holiday. There are heaps of peppermint recipes doing the rounds. I have a few in my archives as well. So, this time I am breaking the norm, colouring them blue and adding chocolate sea shells. Actually, there’s been so much candy at home this year that it was easy to load the cupcakes with extra sugar. Nobody minds at this time!
The cupcakes are vanilla scented with a peppermint whipped cream. Sprinkles, crushed candy cane, chocolate sea shells and everything you desire. Yes, add whatever you like…load them with candies, sprinkles and make them look extra festive. I also realized after looking at the photos that these are great for a blue or sea themed party. My only regret is that I couldn’t carry them for my dear family!
Having said that, I have missed baking cookies this December immensely. There is very little opportunity to bake where I am. I guess, you cannot have it all. And there’s always a next time. Happy Holidays to you:-)
Vanilla Peppermint Cupcakes (adapted with variation from Oprah)
Yields 12 cupcakes
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour , sifted
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup whole milk , room temperature
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
115 g (1 stick) unsalted butter , room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg , room temperature
2 large egg whites , room temperature
Peppermint Whipped Cream
500 ml heavy cream, cold
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 tsp peppermint extract
blue food coloring (optional)
To make cupcakes: Preheat oven to 170 degrees C. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder; set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together milk and vanilla extracts; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.
Once cooled, frost with peppermint whipped cream. Decorate with sprinkles and chocolate sea shells.
To make the peppermint whipped cream : Place heavy cream in a mixing bowl (that has been kept in the freezer for 20 mins), mix starting with low speed, then gradually increase to medium speed until the cream starts getting thicker.
When the cream starts to thicken stop the mixer, add in the icing sugar and then resume mixing again starting with low speed and increase to medium speed up to high speed. The cream will thicken and start to peak. Stop the mixer and add in the peppermint extract and food color if using. Mix on high speed until the cream is thick and stiff.
These cupcakes are stunning, love how you used these chocolate sea shells and a blue theme. One would not expect peppermint by the look of of them but sounds delicious! great shots too. Happy Holidays to you and stay warm!
Happy Holidays to you Evelyne and thanks so much:-)
Good morning and HAPPY CHRISTMAS! These are just stunning and so festive in an unexpected but truly beautiful BLUE. While red is the typical (and lovely) indicator of peppermint, your surprise element is a show stopper. Wishing you a fabulous and memorable holiday! XOXOX Anita
Thank you Anita:-) I hope you are having a beautiful holiday as well. With your eye for beauty, I am sure you are surrounded by the most wondrous things around you. Lots of love!
Stunning as always Sonali. Welcome to the northern hemisphere. Have a great holiday with your family…….
Thank you lovely:-) The Northern Hemisphere rocks!
Crikey, these are so festive, so beautiful, Sonali! You have an abundance of creativity bouncing around your lovely brain. Happy Holidays, Ardith
Your comment put a BIG smile on my face! You are just so sweet! Happy Holidays to you, dear Ardith!
Those are some frammable pictures Sonali. Simply gorgeous and adorable. Always in awe of your creative desserts.
Hope you are enjoying with family. Happy holidays my friend. Merry Christmas and a Very Happy new Year!
xoxo
Thanks my dear Asha! I am really lucky to have such amazing friends like you.Have a beautiful December!
You better not be in Colorado and not call me!!!
These are gorgeous, as always.
Love the blue.
Happy Holidays, my dear.
Nazneen
Hahaha Nazneen! Dare I do that!! But yes, our meeting is long due…God knows when???!! I am India with family. Wanted to put my feet up and rest but I don’t see that happening! Thanks for stopping by and wish you an amazing rest-of-the-year!
Hey ( : thanks for sharing but can you fix two mistakes?
Under, How to make the cupcakes, you mention salt, but there’s no measurement for salt in the ingredients list.
17C for the oven temperature. Did you mean 170C, that would be 338 in F. and that’s an odd number.
Do you mean 350F?
Best,
Karen
Hi Karen, thanks for stopping by. I’ve removed the salt from the process…appreciate your feedback. Oven temperatures in Australia are calculated in degrees and it’s 170 degrees in this case. Once converted to F, it is best to consider the closest temperature ( in F) possible. I hope this helps:-)
First of all, happy holidays and hope you enjoy the family time in our part of the world this year! : ) It’s been a joy to admire your creativity throughout the year and here’s to much more in 2016!
These cupcakes are so representative of you – a classic with a delightfully creative spin! It’s winter/holiday and summer/beach all at once – you amaze me. And I love the chocolate seashells – they have a special place in my heart because my husband used to buy them for me all the time when we were dating (so delish).
It is summer in Brazil — so yes, it is anything but cold just like in Australia. These cupcakes look terrific and its flavor screams Xmas — although garnished with seashells. Wishing you a very Merry Xmas and a blessed New Year!
indeed–whatever the weather, Christmas is about family. And peppermint desserts 😛 Love the sea shell candies, they’re just adorable! Gorgeous photos, as usual 🙂
I can’t stop staring at these photos! I’m absolutely in awe at how gorgeous they are and I love the way you paired the chocolate seashells and blue and glitter. This truly is a work of art and it’s so inspiring!