Cupcake Diaries – The Andes Mint

I have put a lot of thought into journaling about my baking adventures. This was not always a passion of mine but during my second pregnancy something just clicked… I was craving decadent chocolate ganache, fluffy cakes, and rich creams. I attempted to whip together a few sweet treats on my own (because the bakery gets expensive after a few trips a week, ha!) and I discovered how fun it was playing around in the kitchen, too. The more that I learned, the better my desserts tasted, and the more excited I was to share them with others. I fell in love with cuppy cakes after a few friends requested that I make some for birthday parties or holiday events and really, that was all she wrote. I’ve been called the cupcake lady by a handful of people and ya know, I like the way that sounds.

I’ve been ridiculed for being “that girl” that doesn’t like to share her recipes. I didn’t understand what the big deal was – if something tastes so amazing that everybody is begging to know how it was done, it won’t be special anymore once everyone starts recreating it! I did come to realize, however, that this may be a bit selfish and that food is love (in my book) and people just want to spread and share it, so… this marks the beginning of a new chapter for me. I’m ready to tell it all and will make a new entry featuring a delectable cupcake recipe each month. If you are reading along now, thanks for joining me. 

My latest creation was inspired by Olive Garden. Not the food, per se, but my family’s experience. I had not been to this restaurant, which used to be an absolute favorite of mine, in years. When my husband suggested that we go out to eat a few nights ago I immediately blurted “Olive Garden!” and the kids knew there was no arguing to that. Fast forward a few hours later, I was stuffed to the brim delighting in my meal and asked my hubalove how his pasta dish was… and this mad man was enchanted by the mint that you are served with your check after dinner, of all things. Everything was hunky dory, the food and service was great, but he had not had an Andes Mint in so long that it made such an impression on him. I was sitting there like, “Ohmygosh that alfredo was even creamier than I remembered!” and “That soup was to die for!” and he was in a food coma mumbling, “We have GOT to get more of those mints…” – What!?

I decided to surprise him with my own Andes Mint dessert… the Andes Cupcake. To put it simply, I was allowed to eat two out of the whole batch. I feel comfortable saying that my husband approved of them. Highly. You can’t go wrong with mint and a moist, chocolate cake… and this recipe is a perfect blend of both.

Andes Cupcakes

Required ingredients:

CAKE-

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup milk

ICING-

• 1 cup unsalted butter, soft
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• A few drops of green food coloring
• Andes Mints

Step 1) Beat the first four ingredients until creamy and then add the eggs individually, mixing well between each one. Add the vanilla extract and beat until blended.

Step 2) Whisk together the remaining dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Then slowly alternate adding this flour mixture and milk to the creamed butter mixture. Beat until completely combined and smooth.

Step 3) Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full with batter and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle shows only a few crumbs. It is very important not to over bake as this will dry out the cupcakes! Set on a wire rack to cool.

Step 4) As cuppy cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. Combine all ingredients and beat until smooth and fluffy. Begin with only two or three drops of food coloring and adjust until the desired shade of green is reached. Frost the cupcakes and garnish each with an Andes Mint.

Step 5) Hide a few cupcakes for yourself before sharing with everyone else!

I hope this treat makes everyone’s belly as happy as it did ours! If you have any questions, comments, suggestions… or just want to say hi!… don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below!!

Until next month-

<3

Katie

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