Blogmas: Peppermint Cupcakes

 

 Seeing as it is still December (peppermint month), I have decided to make another peppermint post: peppermint cupcakes. Cupcakes are literally for anyone. They're so easy to make, and just a heart-warming gift. To me, cupcakes are like a universal language. So why not pair them up with peppermint? Whilst looking for cute recipes on the internet, I have found that there are many variations of these, so depending on how you would like them, find a recipe that fits for you.

Ingredients- Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, sifted
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 large egg whites

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. With an electric mixer, cream butter on medium-high, until light and fluffy.
5. Gradually add sugar and beat until well combined and fluffy.
6. Reduce the mixer speed to medium, and slowly add egg and egg whites until blended.
7. With the mixer on low, slowly add half of the flour mixture. Add milk, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Slowly add remaining flour mixture. Mix until thoroughly blended.
8. Pour batter into paper cups.
9. Bake for about 22-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

*Let cool before frosting.


Ingredients- Frosting:
2 sticks unsalted butter
1/8 tsp salt
3 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
1/2 tsp milk

Directions:
1. With an electric mixer, beat butter and salt on medium speed, until light and fluffy. (2 minutes)
2. Reduce the speed to low, and gradually add sugar.
3. Add the extracts and milk, and beat until smooth and creamy.
4. Pipe frosting.

*If consistency is too hard, add 1 tblsp milk. Add one tbsp at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

**As stated above, you can substitute, and customize the cupcakes to however you like them. Top them off with some crushed peppermint, shredded chocolate, or anything else to finish them off. If you're really not into baking from scratch, you can create this from a box mixture and frosting from a can, and just customize them at the end with the decorating! However you make them, your peppermint cupcakes will be delicious :)

Blogmas: Peppermint Pancakes

December is the month of peppermint. Peppermint mochas, peppermint bark, even peppermint fudge! But today I'm going to share one of my holiday ideas: peppermint pancakes. The best breakfast has to be pancakes. Especially during the colder months, pancakes serve as a delicious and warm way to start your day off. But by adding peppermint, it's like you've invented a new food! Peppermint literally goes with anything, so it seems only logical to put it in pancakes.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp white sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tbsp butter, melted
*1 tsp peppermint extract
*4 mini/ 2 large candy canes, crushed and divided
(You can make this using a pancake mix, just add the ingredients with "*")


Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk egg until fully beaten, add milk, and mix together.
3. Combine the egg, milk, and melted butter to the dry ingredients.
4. Add 1/2 of the crushed candy canes. (Do not overmix, there will be lumps)
5. In a well oiled pan, add the batter.
6. When you begin to see bubbles on the pancake, flip.
7. After flipping, add crushed peppermint to the top of the pancake as it is still cooking.
8. Serve warm with any toppings: syrup, chocolate sauce, white choc. chips, nuts, etc.

Blogmas: Christmas At Starbucks

Unlike a lot of Americans that spent their Black Friday lining up for deals, just waiting to get trampled, I decided to go the calmer (and safer) route by sticking to my neighborhood.

On a recent trip to Starbucks, I ended up kind of freaking out over the decorations for Christmas. Not only were the holiday drinks on display, but the festive ornaments shaped like actual Starbucks cups were just waiting to be bought. As you know, Christmas is a big deal for me, and I love seeing businesses decorate their shops, putting people in good moods (probably just to get more money, but it's a win-win situation!).


If you're anything like my mum, you love a good cup of coffee (in fact, you can be quite scary without it in the morning). Christmas time is my mum's favourite time at Starbucks because they always have the thing that assures her day will start off on the right side, the Christmas blend coffee. As I was checking out all of their new merchandise, I found these adorable packets of the Christmas blend. They look so cute to stuff in a stocking or throw one in with a basket of goodies. It's like a doll size version! And, of course, there is the full size, which is probably a better gift for a deserving caffeine enthusiast like my mum.



What's Christmas at Starbucks without talking about the food? Starbucks always has a great assortment of food ranging from really healthy options to a sweet treat. One thing that made my heart stop was the peppermint cake pops. Yes, you heard me right, PEPPERMINT CAKE POPS! Cake pops are perfect as they are, but add peppermint in there, and you will literally be a savior. Starbucks knows how to do Christmas. Next time you're out an about by a Starbucks, whether you try something new for the holidays or stick with your usual (*cough* peppermint hot cocoa *cough*), take the time to enjoy it and spread some of that holiday cheer.♡