cupcake hero: mint

in december i got wind of a montly online cupcake competition run by quirky cupcake. i just couldn't resist entering. the theme ingredient for the month of december was mint, and my official entry was a laura secord inspired frosted mint cupcake: chocolate cupcakes filled them with chocolate mint cream frosted with white chocolate ganache infused with fresh mint leaves.

laura secord is the most well known candy shops in canada. it is in just about every mall in the country and has been around since 1913. one of their most well known chocolates are the frosted mints. these chocolates were the inspiration for my entry.

recipe:

1- chocolate cupcakes

any good chocolate cupcake recipe will do.

2- chocolate mint cream

1/4 cup pasteurized liquid egg whites
11/4 cups transfat free shortening
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp pure peppermint extract
1/2 cup cocoa

whip egg whites to soft peaks. add shortening, sugar, milk, cocoa, peppermint. whip until well combined.

3- white chocolate ganache infused with fresh mint leaves

1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 fresh chopped mint leaves
8 oz white chocolate chips
Few drops of green gel food colouring

add chopped mint to heavy cream and bring to a boil. remove from heat and let sit for 2 hours. bring mixture back to a boil, strain out leaves, and pour over white chocolate. add food colouring and mix ganache until smooth.