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+ servings
Chocolate cupcake on a plate.
5 from 1 vote

Peppermint Cream Cheese Chocolate Cupcakes

You'll love these peppermint cream cheese chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting! They're the perfect holiday dessert.
Prep 20 minutes
Cook 22 minutes
Fat 27
Carbs 72
Protein 5
Yield 12

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

Cream Cheese Swirl

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz. cream cheese room temperature
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature (~1 stick)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional

  • Crushed peppermint/candy canes for topping

Instructions

  • First, preheat the oven to 350℉ and spray and line a muffin pan with liners. Set aside.
  • Place all the dry ingredients into a large bowl, whisk together and set aside.
    a white bowl with flour, cocoa powder, and sugar.
  • In a separate bowl, cream together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil for 1-2 minutes. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and whip until everything is well combined. Slowly transfer the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Set aside.
    two eggs and whipped cream in a white bowl.
  • To make the cream cheese swirl, add all ingredients to a small bowl and mix with a hand mixer.
  • Scoop ¼ cup of the cupcake mix into each muffin liner. Then, add 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese swirl mix to the top of each muffin. Using the tip of a knife or a toothpick, swirl the cream cheese swirl into the top of the batter. Bake for 18-22 Minutes. Cool before frosting.
    chocolate swirl cupcakes in a muffin tin.
  • While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the frosting. Place the cream cheese and butter into the bowl of a stand mixer. Whip together until well combined and fluffy.
  • Next, add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Starting on low, mix together until well blended. The speed can be increased once most of the sugar has been mixed in.
    whipped cream in a bowl with a spoon.
  • Frost immediately and store any remaining frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
    a person icing a cupcake with frosting.

Tips & Notes

  • The cream cheese swirl should be thinner than the cupcake batter.
  • We used peppermint extract in this recipe; almond or vanilla extract would be great alternatives. Equally, peppermint extract could be added or subbed into the frosting.
  • Avocado or corn oil could be used as an alternative to vegetable oil.
  • Cream cheese frosting will harden in the fridge. To frost at a later time, remove frosting from the fridge and let it come to room temperature, about 20-30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 534kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 27g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 62g