The recipe for these cupcakes dates back to my childhood. One holiday, my mom pulled a recipe for “Grandma’s Chocolate Cake” (a sheet cake) from a magazine, and it was a hit! So much a hit, that I copied the recipe by hand and carried it with me to college, post-college, business school, our first home, and now our second home. The hallmarks of this cake are its York™ Peppermint Pattie topping and super-moist texture. My copy of the recipe exists today as a scrappy piece of paper blemished with chocolate and butter stains…a memento for all of the times that I’ve made it at the request of college roommates, girlfriends, a boyfriend (there was only one who eventually became my husband after this cake!), and family.
Recently, I was re-reminded of this recipe after hearing the person ahead of me at Starbucks® order a peppermint mocha latte. And in that moment—just like all aspiring creators—I had my Starbucks’ stroke of genius! I envisioned the cake as cupcakes vs. a sheet cake (each one topped with their very own York™ Peppermint Pattie) and could practically taste the new mocha twist. Later that day, when I transformed “Grandma’s Chocolate Cake” to “Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes,” I discovered that you really can perfect perfection!
I’ve got dibs on making the dessert for any group gathering from now until eternity!
Click here to give this recipe a try and tell me what you think.
