Cupcakes

This is a delicious recipe that I got off of another blog and changed (hopefully made it better). They were great! I served them today at my birthday lunch with my family.

Mint Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
4 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup sweet butter, softened
4 eggs
1 tsp mint extract
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Ingredients for the Icing:
1/3 cup sweet butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tsp mint extract
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Place 18 paper baking cups into muffin pans. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Set aside. Beat the sugar and butter together in a large bowl until smooth. Separate the egg yolks and whites. Add the egg yokes and beat well. Beat the egg whites until stiff. Add the flour mixture gradually, stirring until well combined. Gently stir in the egg whites, then add the mint extract and chocolate chips. Spoon the mixture into the cups. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and cool for 5 minutes.

To make the frosting, beat the butter and confectioners' sugar in a small bowl until smooth & creamy. Stir in the mint extract and add chocolate chips. Put the frosting into the food processor and blend until frosting turns a light brown.