Chocolate and mint christmas tree cupcakes

Another idea for decorating your christmas cupcakes, this time my favourite chocolate and mint combination… Not only look pretty but taste delicious too!


Ingredients:

For the cupcakes (makes 8-10)

• 120g caster sugar
• 100g plain flour
• 20g cocoa powder
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 40g soft unsalted butter
• 120ml milk

For decoration:

• 250g mascarpone cheese
• 150ml double cream
• 1 1/2 tbsp icing sugar
• 1- 2 tsp peppermint extract 
• green food colouring
• sugar pearls and snowflakes

To make the cupcakes place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth, do not over-beat.  Pour the mixture into a muffin tray lined with cupcake cases, bake at 170C for about 20 minutes, until skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Take the cupcakes out the oven and leave to cool completely.  To make the cream beat mascarpone, double cream and icing sugar. Add peppermint extract, a little at a time, keep tasting it to see if you need to add any more.  Then stir in a little bit of green food colouring.

Pipe the cream on top of cooled cupcakes, then decorate with sugar pearls and snowflakes.

Enjoy!