Aren’t these cupcakes THE CUTEST?! These are the epitome of Christmas in a cupcake and I’m SO excited to share this recipe with you!
Using my favourite rich chocolate cake recipe, made into cupcakes, with a hint of peppermint! Classic flavours for a wonderful Christmas!
The frosting? Well that’s my favourite part of these delicious cupcakes, fluffy soft meringue that been lightly toasted, salivating yet? Homemade meringue that’s heavenly with every mouthful. It’s a simple meringue recipe that I know you will be able to achieve. As these are frosted with meringue, they’re absolutely best served fresh. The meringue will last 2-3 days but will begin to melt (sugar begins to separate and melt out from the meringue). Keep them refrigerated!
See those cute mini gingerbread men cookies poking out of that heavenly frosting? These are completely optional but aren’t they the cutest? 😉 You can top your cupcakes with store-bought mini gingerbread cookies or use my homemade gingerbread cookie recipe here. I love how easy that recipe is plus you can make yourself some regular sized gingerbread men cookies also, yay!
I hope you make and enjoy these chocolate peppermint and meringue cupcakes, they’re super fun to make and PERFECT for the festive season!
Chocolate Peppermint & Meringue Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 cup almond milk or plant based milk of choice
- 2 Tbsp instant coffee granules
- 2 large eggs, lightly whisked
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
- 6-8 drops peppermint essential oil or peppermint extract
- 2 tsp vanilla bean extract
- 1/2 cup gluten free all purpose flour*
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of pink salt
Toasted Meringue
- 3 medium-large egg whites separated and egg whites in a small bowl, covered, on kitchen bench until room temperature
- 3/4 cup white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 1 tsp white vinegar
Equipment
- Piping bag
- Medium-large closed star piping nozzle
- Kitchen culinary blow torch or use oven, instructions in recipe method
- Optional - mini gingerbread men, store-bought or use my gingerbread cookie recipe
Instructions
Cupcakes
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Preheat oven to 180ºC (356ºF). Line a 12-hole regular cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
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In a large bowl whisk together milk and coffee until coffee has completely dissolved.
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Whisk in eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla until well combined.
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Add 6 drops of peppermint, taste test and adding any extra if desired. Mix well.
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In a separate medium bowl, whisk flour, almond meal, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
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Gradually add the flour mixture into the milk mixture, whisk until well combined and smooth, approx. 10-15 seconds.
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Divide batter amongst cupcake liners, filling each up 3/4 of the way full.
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Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the top bounces back when lightly pressed or a toothpick inserted into the middle of one cupcake comes out clean.
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Cool cakes in pan for 2 minutes.
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Transfer cakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
Toasted Meringue
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NOTE: before whipping egg whites, ensure the mixing bowl and electric beater/whisk attachment you’re using are both thoroughly clean and completely dry from any grease, dust and water. This will ensure optimal results for meringue.
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Ensure egg whites are at room temperature before whipping. NOTE: make sure there is zero bits of egg yolk in the egg whites, otherwise the egg whites won’t whip properly.
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Use a large bowl stand mixer attached with a whip. Or a large mixing bowl using a hand electric beater.
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Add egg whites to mixing bowl. Have sugar measured out and ready to go.
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Start whipping on medium speed to gradually aerate egg whites. Whip until egg whites reach soft peaks. Soft peaks = tip will curl and slowly fall back on itself.
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Once soft peaks have been reached, start to add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Wait 30 seconds between each addition of sugar, to ensure the sugar dissolves.
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Once all the sugar has been added, check to see if it has been dissolved by rubbing a small amount of meringue between your fingers. It should feel smooth, if it feels gritty, continue whipping meringue in 2 minute increments until completely dissolved.
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Once sugar is dissolved, add white vinegar and beat meringue for a further 3 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks. Peaks will hold their shape when lifted up.
Assemble
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Fill piping bag with meringue.
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Pipe meringue onto each cupcake.
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Take your blow torch and carefully and lightly toast the meringue frosting.
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If you don’t have a blow torch, simply pre-heat oven to 175ºC (350ºF). Once to temperature, place frosted cupcakes on a baking tray, place in the middle of the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Remove and allow to cool.
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Optional: Top each cupcake with a mini gingerbread man cookie but gently placing him into the frosting.
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Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*I use ‘Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 Baking Flour’
Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container, refrigerated, for 3 days, or until the meringue begins to melt.
Store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container, in the pantry or refrigerated, for 5 days.
Yum! Cooked these with the kids on the weekend and they were a hit with everyone. Time consuming but sooo worth the wait. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Tanya! That’s sop wonderful to hear! Definitely time consuming but you’re right, well worth the wait, especially during the holidays! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Are kids ok to eat meringue topping ? Without cook?
Hi! I’d recommend ready this article here: https://www.babycenter.in/x1017012/is-it-safe-to-give-my-toddler-raw-egg-beaten-in-a-glass-of-milk
For infants and young children, there is a risk with consuming raw eggs, so I’d suggest not exposing them to potential illness linked with raw eggs. I would strongly suggest that you consult your healthcare professional about your options.
Hope that helps 🙂
Can a 1/2 cup of gf flour be substituted for the almond meal? Can white sugar be used istead if coconut sugar?
Hi TJ, yes to both of your questions! You can replace the gf flour for more almond meal, making the total quantity of the almond meal to 1 cup. You can also use white sugar in place of the coconut sugar, this will slightly after the flavour, which is no problems. Hope that helps! 🙂