Mint Patty Brownie Cupcakes

Who doesn't like chocolate & especially when it involves a little mint?  My kids a blast making these with me, I let them help with unwrapping all the mints & then had them stick a patty in each cupcake. 

Mint Patty Brownie Cupcakes

1 dark chocolate brownie mix - Family size 

*If you don't care for dark chocolate, go ahead & use a regular brownie mix

2 eggs

1.4 cup water

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/3 cup oil

1 bag mint patties

Mix together brownie mix, eggs, water, vanilla and oil.  Stir until moistened.  Pour about 2 tablespoons of batter into every cupcake liner.  Put 1 unwrapped mint into center of each. Put 2 if you want a lot of mint. Top with remaining batter, filling about 3/4 full. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes, until soft - but not wiggly. The middle will be gooey but oh so delicious!

You can either dust cupcakes with powdered sugar or frost.

The frosting I chose to use is Chocolate Butter Cream.  Yum!  Butter Cream frosting is one of my favorites.  It isn't as heavy & "sugary" as others, I think.  

Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting

8 tbsp (1 stick) butter ~ room temperature

1/3 cup cocoa powder

3 3/4 cup powdered sugar ~ sifted

3-4 tbsp whipping cream

(Milk will also work)

2 tsp vanilla

Beat butter in bowl until light & fluffy, for about 30 seconds.  Add in coca powder, sugar, 3 tbsp cream and vanilla.  Beat frosting on low speed and add up to 1 more tbsp cream if frosting is too thick.