Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl, stir flour, sugar and salt together to combine. Set aside. In another bowl, stir buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder and peppermint extract together. Whisk with a fork and set aside.

Step 3

Melt butter in microwave and stir in hot chocolate packets. Stir in hot water and pour into dry mixture. Stir and then add in the egg mixture. Once smooth and combined, divide evenly between muffin cavities {about 2/3rds of the way full}. Bake 15-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean once inserted. Cool to room temperature.

Step 4

For the cream, pour all ingredients into a bowl and whip until stiff peaks form. Spoon into piping bag and top each cupcake. Sprinkle with broken candy cane pieces and store in refrigerator until ready to serve.Adapted from The Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe