Crimson Mint Velvet Cupcakes

Welcome, December! The air is filled with crisp enchantment, shimmering lights, and the irresistible scent of holiday spices. It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year for bakers, and if your kitchen hasn’t started buzzing with activity yet, now is the moment to dust off those mixing bowls and cookie cutters. Prepare for gingerbread, reindeer antlers, and most importantly, the vibrant, refreshing flavor of peppermint! This year, we’re celebrating the festive season with a truly spectacular treat: Ghirardelli Red Velvet Peppermint Bark Cupcakes. Crafted in a special partnership with Ghirardelli, these delightful cupcakes are designed to kick off your holiday baking adventures, culminating in the much-anticipated Holiday Baking Day on December 10th. Get ready to indulge in a perfect blend of moist, fluffy red velvet cake, rich chocolate, and invigorating peppermint, creating a symphony of flavors that will capture the heart of your festive celebrations.

The Irresistible Allure of Peppermint in Holiday Baking

For me, the holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the iconic taste of peppermint. It’s a flavor that instantly transports you to cozy evenings, cheerful gatherings, and the sheer joy of Christmas. Throughout my baking journey, particularly here at A Classic Twist, peppermint has consistently reigned supreme during the festive months. From the comforting warmth of my classic peppermint mocha cupcakes to the elegant simplicity of a peppermint white chocolate crème brûlée, I find myself drawn to its unique ability to be both refreshing and utterly decadent. There’s a magic in the way peppermint cuts through richness, offering a bright, crisp contrast that elevates any sweet treat. This year, my love affair with peppermint continues with these Red Velvet Peppermint Bark Cupcakes, a creation that promises to be a new favorite for ringing in the holiday baking season. They embody everything wonderful about festive desserts – a delightful blend of classic comfort and seasonal excitement.

Ghirardelli: Elevating Every Holiday Creation

‘Tis truly the baking season, and there’s an undeniable excitement that fills the air when December arrives. Holiday baking isn’t just about making delicious treats; it’s about creating memories, sharing joy, and embracing traditions. I typically set aside several full days each December specifically for holiday baking. Whether I’m decorating intricate sugar cookies with my niece, crafting my annual batch of homemade peppermint marshmallows to gift loved ones, or whipping up a new festive dessert, these baking days are among my most cherished moments of the year. This deep love for baking is precisely why I am so thrilled to partner with Ghirardelli to celebrate their annual Holiday Baking Day on December 10th. It’s an opportunity to embrace the spirit of the season through the universal language of delicious food. Ghirardelli, renowned for its commitment to quality and rich, luxurious chocolate, provides the perfect foundation for holiday indulgence. Their chocolates transform ordinary recipes into extraordinary culinary experiences, making them an indispensable ingredient in my holiday kitchen.

On Saturday, December 10th, join us in a grand celebration of Holiday Baking Day! To make this event even sweeter, I’ve teamed up with Ghirardelli to offer an incredible giveaway. You’ll have the chance to win a curated Baking Day gift basket, brimming with essentials, along with one of my absolute favorite kitchen tools: a KitchenAid Hand Mixer. This powerful and reliable mixer is a game-changer for any baker, making everything from fluffy frostings to smooth batters an absolute breeze. But before we dive into the details of how to enter, let’s talk more about these divine red velvet peppermint cupcakes and why they are the perfect centerpiece for your holiday spread.

Crafting Your Perfect Peppermint Red Velvet Cupcakes

Ghirardelli’s dedication to exquisite chocolate shines through in all their offerings, and their Holiday Baking Day collection, featuring five brand new recipes developed in partnership with Food52, is truly inspiring. Beyond these new additions, their website is a treasure trove of delicious chocolate recipes. It was among these culinary gems that the Ghirardelli Red Velvet Peppermint Bark Cupcakes captured my attention. I knew immediately that I had to recreate them in preparation for the holidays. The concept itself is brilliant: a harmonious marriage of moist, fluffy red velvet cupcakes infused with subtle hints of rich chocolate and a refreshing burst of peppermint. The result is a dessert that feels both classic and wonderfully festive, a true testament to the power of thoughtful flavor combinations.

To truly elevate the peppermint experience, I took Ghirardelli’s recipe and added a generous touch of peppermint extract directly into the cupcake batter. This ensures that every bite delivers that delightful, cool sensation, complementing the classic red velvet flavor. The cupcakes are then crowned with a luscious cream cheese frosting, and for the finishing touch, I generously topped them with finely chopped Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark. This seasonal bark is a personal favorite of mine, often finding its way into my stocking thanks to my thoughtful husband. The combination of textures—the tender cupcake, the creamy frosting, and the satisfying crunch of peppermint bark—makes these cupcakes an absolute triumph. They were an instant hit, receiving rave reviews, and I’ve already made plans to bake multiple batches this month for various holiday parties and festive gatherings. These aren’t just cupcakes; they’re edible expressions of holiday cheer, sure to bring smiles to everyone who tries them.

Join the Ghirardelli Holiday Baking Day Celebration & Win!

Do you, like me, dedicate a whole day (or several!) to baking during the magical holiday season? If so – or even if you’re just dipping your toes into festive baking – I warmly invite you to join Ghirardelli and me on December 10th to celebrate Holiday Baking Day. It’s a fantastic opportunity to share in the joy of creating delicious treats and to embrace the communal spirit of the holidays. To make your baking day even sweeter and more successful, we’re hosting an exciting giveaway! Enter below for your chance to win a special Baking Day gift basket, filled with Ghirardelli goodies and baking essentials, plus a highly coveted KitchenAid Hand Mixer. This powerful little appliance is a true kitchen workhorse, making light work of mixing, whipping, and stirring, and it could be yours!

TO ENTER: Simply leave a comment below sharing your absolute favorite chocolate recipe for the holiday season. Remember to include an email address where you would like to be reached if you are selected as our lucky winner!

Peppermint Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe

These decadent red velvet cupcakes are topped with a sweet, refreshing peppermint cream cheese icing and crushed peppermint bark, creating the ultimate holiday treat. Perfect for festive parties or a cozy night in.

• Yield: Approximately 24 cupcakes
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Total Time: 44 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2-3 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Line a regular muffin tin with cupcake liners, preparing them for the batter.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, carefully sift together the all-purpose flour, Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients until well combined and set the bowl aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes of beating.
4. Add the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and red food coloring, mixing until the batter achieves a uniform vibrant red hue.
5. Alternate adding the reserved flour mixture with the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix on low speed just until combined after each addition, being careful not to overmix.
6. In a small separate bowl, quickly combine the baking soda and apple cider vinegar. This mixture will foam immediately. Add it to the cupcake batter without delay and mix just until it is well combined throughout the batter.
7. Divide the finished batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full.
8. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove the cupcakes from the muffin pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
9. While the cupcakes cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy.
10. Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, peppermint extract, and milk. Begin mixing on low speed for about a minute to avoid a sugar cloud, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and well combined.
11. Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them generously with the prepared peppermint cream cheese buttercream. For an extra festive touch and added peppermint crunch, top each cupcake with crushed peppermint candies or Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark.

Notes

Recipe Adapted from Ghirardelli, with a special peppermint kick added to the cupcake batter for an enhanced flavor experience. Ensure all ingredients, especially butter, eggs, and buttermilk, are at room temperature for the best emulsion and texture in your cupcakes and frosting.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps support this blog.

• OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set:Essential for scraping bowls clean and folding ingredients gently. A must-have for any baker!
• Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3-Piece):Durable and versatile mixing bowls perfect for all your baking needs, from sifting flour to mixing batter.
• Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Muffin and Cupcake Pan, 12-Cup:Ensures even baking and easy release, making your cupcake creations perfect every time.

For even more delightful Ghirardelli Holiday Baking Day recipes and inspiration, be sure to explore these 5 exclusive recipes, masterfully created in partnership with Food52:

• Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: A cozy, spiced cookie with rich chocolate chips.
• Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie: A decadent twist on a classic, perfect for your holiday dessert table.
• Silky Chocolate Truffles: Elegant and melt-in-your-mouth, ideal for gifting or a luxurious treat.
• No Bake Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Bon Bons: Quick, easy, and utterly irresistible – a fantastic make-ahead option.
• Chocolate Holiday Sables Cookies: Buttery, crisp shortbread cookies with a delightful chocolate flavor, perfect for holiday cookie exchanges.

HAPPY BAKING DAY, everyone! May your kitchens be filled with warmth, laughter, and the delicious aromas of holiday cheer. We can’t wait to see what you create!

Disclosure: This post is proudly sponsored by Ghirardelli. All opinions expressed are 100% my own and reflect my genuine enthusiasm for their products. The giveaway is open until Wednesday, December 7th at midnight PST. One lucky winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email to claim their prize within 24 hours. The delightful holiday baking basket prize is generously sponsored by Ghirardelli, while the coveted KitchenAid Hand Mixer prize is sponsored by A Classic Twist. Good luck to all participants!