Holiday Baking

I really didn't think I'd have time for holiday baking but i made some today and I'm really glad. EVERYONE I know keeps asking for my pumpkin bread, including my mother-in-law, so I made yet another loaf of it. You can find the recipe HERE. I did add something to it to make it more festive tho....some red & green food coloring swirls! I think it's looks pretty cool.

I didnt really have the time to make cookies like I usually do so I decided on a holiday cupcake. I asked my hubby, KC, "If you were a holiday cupcake what flavor would you be?". To which he replied "ummmmm". Eventually we decided on something with cream cheese frosting & crushed candy canes on it, and then he suggested hot chocolate flavored cupcakes. I was thinking mint so I put the 2 together and made mint hot chocolate cupcakes! 

Mint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Makes 18

Ingredients
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk

1 packet of your fav hot chocolate mix (I obviously used mint)

Directions 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a standard 12-cup muffin pan, or use paper liners. 

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; set aside. 

Heat milk in saucepan on low and whisk in hot chocolate mix. be careful not to add the milk when it's too hot to your batter!
With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; add vanilla, and mix until combined. 

On low speed, beat in half the flour mixture, followed by milk/hot chocolate mix; end with remaining flour mixture. 

Mix just until incorporated. 

Bake 22  min per batch. 

I whipped up cream cheese frosting and added some crushed candy canes and some holiday sprinkles. After taste testing them, they are yummy! Just a hint of the mint flavor, just enough if you ask me. I really like the idea of adding the powder mix to the milk, it was a cool way to change the flavor.

I hope you all did lots of great holiday baking (And eating!).

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!