How about some fun and easy St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes? Chocolate cupcakes with white chocolate mint frosting to be exact! The frosting is all kinds of amazing and it is the star of the show.
And that fun little glittery shamrock cupcake topper? That’s simply a piece of green taffy, rolled out, cut with a teeny tiny little cookie cutter, then dipped in green disco dust. Super cute and inexpensive.
It’s a lot like making sugar cookies, or playing with play dough (I have a three year old, play dough is kind of my life most days). Just roll out your piece of candy, about 1/8″ thick, cut it with the cutter, shape by hand if needed – I pinched one of my flower petals into a stem, then dip into disco dust if you like, you can also skip the disco dust part). Excuse the cell phone pic, sometimes one forgets to charge their actual camera…
Once upon a time I was a jewelry designer and worked with precious metal clay, so I have lots of little cutters and shapes. They are so fun and fairly inexpensive. You can find them in a lot of baking supply stores, usually near the fondant, but also check the clay area of your craft and hobby stores. Click on the pictures below to be taken to the products on Amazon.
If you aren’t a fan of eating disco dust (I love to use it for special little touches, but really don’t like actually consuming it), don’t worry, I have two other easy options for your St Patrick’s cupcakes.
Easy peasy, green gumball for the top. Or a gold covered chocolate coin makes a cute topper as well. Yes, I know, that is an American coin, it’s the only one I could find.
No matter how you top these cupcakes, they are fun, festive and delicious.
Recipe time!
For these cupcakes, you can use whatever chocolate cake recipe or mix makes you happy. Here is my favorite chocolate cupcake recipe. For a gluten free version, I love the Betty Crocker Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix. But these cupcakes are ALL about the amazing white chocolate mint frosting. You could even use a white cake recipe/mix, and that would be outstanding as well.
White Chocolate Mint Frosting
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 Cup Softened Butter
- 1-2 tsp peppermint extract I like a light mint flavor and go with 1 tsp
- 4 oz Bakers White Chocolate melted and cooled
- 2 to 4 TBSP Half and Half you can also use milk or whipping cream
- Pinch of salt optional
Instructions
- In a stand mixer, mix butter and peppermint extract until fluffy. Add two cups of the powdered sugar (and salt if using) and beat until well combined. Slowly drizzle melted white chocolate into mixing bowl and beat on medium to high for one to two minutes until well combined with butter and powdered sugar mixture. Add in remaining powdered sugar and two tablespoons of half and half. Beat on high until light and fluffy. Add in additional half and half, a few drops at a time, as needed and continue mixing to reach your desired consistency.
Want some more mint? Here are a few great options!
Mint Chocolate Chip Frosting Cones
Mint Chocolate Chip Buttercream Pops
Mint Chip Buttercream Bites
Even more St. Patrick’s Day Dessert Ideas!
Nick @ Bakingbeardy says
I’m not sure you can actually get chocolate euro coins, to be honest! But I’ll keep an eye out for you!
David @ Spiced says
I love the clever way you made the toppers for these cupcakes. So festive!!
Christi says
Thanks David! It was one of those “work with what you have on hand” type of days! 🙂