Did you know – today, February 26th, is Canada’s National Cupcake Day – raising money for the Ontario SPCA. That’s right – today is all about cupcakes – and raising money to help animals in need all around Canada.
What is Cupcake Day?
Originally launched by the RSPCA in New South Wales, Australia, National Cupcake Day began in Canada in 2013, and the initiative has grown across the country year after year. Cupcake Day is a fundraiser in support of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society to help animals in need in communities across Ontario. As a registered charity that does not receive government funding, the Ontario SPCA depends on the generosity of donors to help animals in need. By taking part in Cupcake Day, you are providing urgently needed care and shelter for animals waiting to find a loving home.
How am I helping animals in need?
This is my twelfth year participating (and last year I did “Cake My Day” raising money for the Toronto Humane Society but I don’t think they are doing that event this year) and I am hopeful that sharing this recipe might raise enough funds to get me to my modest fundraising goal.
(want to help out? You can donate to my “online bakeshop” raising money for the OSPCA – here)
So, what about those cupcakes, then?
Yep, today’s recipe that I am sharing in exchange for donations is one inspired by one of my late mum’s favourite chocolate bars – Frys Peppermint Cream. These are a fudgey chocolate brownie-like cupcake topped with a little mint-flavoured white chocolate and some sprinkles, of course!
They couldn’t be easier, they come together in no time so you can satisfy your chocolate craving in under an hour!
Fudgey Chocolate Mint Brownie Cupcakes
Decadent but easy fudgey chocolate-mint brownie cupcakes.
Ingredients
for the cupcakes
- 113g (2/3 cup) semisweet chocolate chips
- 113g (1 stick, 1/2 cup) unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 100g (3/4 cup) icing sugar
- 25g (2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour (For GLUTEN FREE cupcakes, replace with 30g/ 3 tablespoons almond meal)
for the topping
- 100g white chocolate
- 1/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
- chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
Make the cupcakes
- Pre-heat oven to 350˚F and line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and butter. I do this at 60% power for around 2 minutes.
- Slowly stir the chocolate mixture until the butter is completely incorporated. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a small metal bowl, whip the egg whites to soft peaks.
- Whisk the egg yolks into the slightly cooled chocolate mixture.
- Add the icing sugar and flour (or almond meal) to the chocolate mixture and whisk until the dry ingredients are completely incorporated.
- Switch to a rubber spatula and gently fold in the egg whites.
- Use a 4-tablespoon cookie scoop to divide the batter between the muffin cups.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Cool the cakes on a wire rack completely before frosting.
Make the ganache:
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips. I do this at 60% power for around 1 minute.
- Slowly stir the chocolate mixture until any semi-melted chocolate is completely incorporated. Set aside to cool slightly.
Decorate the cupcakes:
- Use a teaspoon to fill the indentation on top of the cakes with ganache.
- Sprinkle with sprinkles if you like!
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This is a light cupcake that kind of melts in your mouth and then the chewy brownie quality hits you. I love the crunch of the little disk of chocolate and sprinkles to counter the fudgey cake here.
Help me support animals in need!
Today, I’m sharing the recipe for these cupcakes with you, my blog readers, and friends in exchange for donations. If you’d like to visit my “online bakery” and donate, just head to my personal page on the National Cupcake Day website, where you will be able to donate to the cause.
Donations will be directed towards the OSPCA to help animals in need. Go on, the cats and dogs of Canada will thank you 
Other cupcakes you might also enjoy:
National Cupcake Day 2013: Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2014: Jaffington Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2015: Little Orange and Almond Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2016: Jam and Cream Butterfly Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2017: Strawberry Yoghurt Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2018: Double Chocolate Buckwheat Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2019: Fudge-y Chocolate Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2020: Lemon-Blueberry Financiers
Cake My Day 2023: Two-Bite Brownies
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