Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Mint Frosting

As a kid I hated mint and chocolate together... thank goodness tastes change! Not too long ago I made Peppermint Patties.... and now this yummy minty twist on a chocolate cupcake!

The best part of these is that I used my own home grown mint! YAY!!! After my last plant post I purchased 3 varieties of mint (I was going to purchase two, but it was buy 2 get one free!). So I now have Orange Mint, Spearmint, and Chocolate Mint growing in a container on my little patio.

The cake recipe I used this time is so simple and creates a nice light sponge, even when using whole wheat flour! My cupcakes are vegan but if you have eggs to use, they can be easily added. It is also sweetened with agave nectar and contains no white sugar and uses vegetable oil instead of butter. I know, I know I just made you a huge skeptic of how great these taste but PLEASE try them.... for me?!?!

Ingredients:

¼ cup whole wheat flour*

¼ cup cacao powder*

¼ teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

3 servings egg replacer (or 3 eggs)

¼ cup canola oil (grape seed or other light flavored oils work too)

½ cup agave nectar

*My batter seemed a little runny so I did add a couple more tablespoons of flour and cacao until I got a nice cake batter consistency.

1.In a medium bowl, combine flour, cacao powder, salt and baking soda

2.In a large bowl, blend together eggs, oil and agave.
3.Blend dry ingredients into wet thoroughly

4.Line a cupcake tin with paper liners and fill 3/4 full.
5.Bake at 375° for 20-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

 

Now the fun part... Chocolate Mint Frosting!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Agave

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

2 ripe Avocados

1 Cup Cacao

1 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp peppermint extract (or to taste)

 

In a food processor, combine all ingredients adjusting quantities to taste. If I was making this for Thor and I, I would omit the sugar and just sweeten with agave. Since I was taking this to a party I wanted the extra sweetness and the added firmness with confectioners sugar would add to the frosting.