Grasshopper Cupcakes (St. Patrick's Day)

Grasshopper Cupcakes

When I was in College my mom would always order me an Ice Cream cake or pie from Baskin-Robins for my Birthday.  One year I got a grasshopper pie which was one of my most favorite combinations of flavors, Chocolate and mint. So this year for St. Patrick's Day I wanted to make a cupcake with those flavors.....you have to have green for the day so it was perfect.  This cupcake has three different components: cake, chocolate shell, and frosting.
You will make these and then not want to share with another soul or maybe that is just me when I want CHOCOLATE. :)
Be ware these are so yummy and dangerous.......Happy baking

Dark Chocolate cake

(recipe comes from Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa tub)

2 c. sugar     

1 3/4 c. All-purpose flour

3/4 c Hershey Special Dark Cocoa

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 c. milk

1/2 c. veggi oil

2 tsp. coffee extract or vanilla extract

1 c. boiling water

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.   2. Stir together all dry ingredients    3. Add eggs, milk, extract, and oil: mix well.   4. Slowly stir in boiling water (batter will be thin)   5.  Scope 1/4 cup batter into prepared cupcake wrappers.   6.  Bake for 15 minutes    7.  Allow to cool before moving to next component.

Chocolate Shell

1 cup Dark chocolate chips

3 Tablespoons of heavy whipping cream

1.   Place into a microwave bowl and cook for 1 minute

2.   Stir until a smooth chocolate sauce is formed

3.   Dip top of cooled cupcake into the chocolate sauce

4.   Place into the fridge to help the Chocolate form a shell

Mint Butter-cream Frosting

1/2 lb or 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1 tablespoon of mint extract

6 drops of green food coloring

4 c. shifted powder sugar

3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

1. Use whipping attachment on mixer and whip butter, extract, and food coloring for four minutes

2. Slowly add in powder sugar and cream until well mixed.

3. Turn on high and whip for 2-3 minutes

4. Top cupcakes and eat!!