Santa's Little Helper Cupcakes | The Scran Line | Tastemade

Every year we leave out treats for Santa, but let’s not forget Santa's helpers by treating them to these red velvet peppermint cupcakes!

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INGREDIENTS

400g of All Purpose Flour
2 tbs of Cocoa Powder
320g of caster Sugar
2 tsp of Baking Powder
1 tsp of Baking Soda
½ tsp of Salt
190ml of Vegetable Oil
3 Eggs
250ml of Buttermilk
50ml red food coloring
2 tsp of Vanilla Extract
1 Batch of fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting
2 tsp peppermint essence
20 star or knot mini pretzels
200g white cooking chocolate (melted)
100g Wilton red choc (melted)
2 drops green food gel

RECIPE

Preheat the oven to 160C (320F) or 140C (285F) for a fan forced oven
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside.

Add red food coloring, eggs, buttermilk and oil to a large jug. Whisk well. Pour into dry ingredients until everything is well combined. Scrape down, and then mix again until batter is smooth. No longer than 30 seconds.

Scoop into cupcake pan lined with cupcake papers, filling up half way and bake for 30 min. Cupcakes will look shiny and moist. If it bounces and doesn't sink when you touch it, it's done! Set aside on a cooling rack to cool down completely before frosting.

While your cupcakes are baking and cooling prepare your buttercream frosting by add peppermint essence and green food dye and mix well until everything is colored and flavored evenly.

To prepare your candy cane pretzels simply dip them into melted white chocolate using a fork and let the excess drip off before placing them onto a cooling rack or baking tray lined with baking paper. Refrigerate for 10 min before you drizzle them with melted red chocolate using a zip lock bag or piping bag.

To finish the cupcakes off simply fit a piping bag with a round tip and pipe in a swirl. Place a candy cane pretzel on the front.

*It’s important to keep in mind whilst making this recipe to not over mix the batter. Only mix until each ingredient is mixed in. If you overtax your cupcakes won’t come out delicate, fluffy and moist. Also, ensure you scrape down your bowl at each step.
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