Thin Mint Cupcakes

found on Real Mom in the kitchen
Crush 1 sleeve of Girl Scout thin mint cookies or 1/2 a package Kebbler Grasshopper cookies. Then add it to this cupcake batter and cook according to the recipe directions.


Martha Stewart One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
Makes 18 to 24.

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons safflower oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.



Then frost the cupcakes with this frosting recipe. Add some green food coloring to the frosting. If you want a stronger mint flavor you could omit the vanilla extract from the frosting recipe and add 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. mint extract. Just start with the 1/8 tsp mint and taste it. Then add more if you want it to be stronger.
Makes 3 cups

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese
1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation
1. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until blended. Increase speed to medium, and slowly add milk and vanilla, beating until smooth.