Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners and set aside.

Step 2

Add the softened butter and granulated sugar to a large bowl. Cream together with an electric mixer until fluffy, 1-2 minutes.

Step 3

Then add in the egg whites, vanilla and peppermint extract. Mix until smooth and pale in color, about 1 minute.

Step 4

In a small bowl sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 5

Alternate adding the buttermilk and the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar/egg mixture. Mix until everything is combined.

Step 6

Divide the batter evenly between the 12 cupcake liners. Each should be about 3/4 way full.

Step 7

Bake the cupcakes for 17-19 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the centers. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 8

Add the chopped white chocolate, peppermint chips and heavy cream to a microwave safe bowl.

Step 9

Microwave in 20 second intervals until everything is melted together. Stir after each 20 second interval.

Step 10

Let the ganache cool until it has thickened and is no longer runny. Stir as it is cooling. This can take up to 20 minutes.

Step 11

Add the softened butter and salt to a medium sized bowl and mix with an electric mixer on high until it is pale in color and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes

Step 12

Add in the melted and slightly cooled white chocolate. It should be liquid and about room temperature. Mix until fluffy again, 1-2 minutes.

Step 13

Then add in the powdered sugar a cup at a time. Mix until the frosting is light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes.

Step 14

Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a decorative tip.

Step 15

Transfer the cooled ganache to a piping bag and cut a bit of the end off.

Step 16

When the cupcakes are cooled, remove a bit of the center of each. A cupcake corer is great for this.

Step 17

Fill each cupcake with the peppermint ganache.

Step 18

Then, pipe a generous amount of frosting onto each cupcake.

Step 19

Sprinkle candy cane pieces over the tops of the cupcakes, then serve!