Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 To prepare cupcakes:Place brown sugar and butter in large bowl;beat wit mixer at medium speed 2 mins. or till well blended. Add eggs,one at a time ,beating after each addition. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups;level with knife.

combine flour,cocoa,baking powder,baking soda and salt in a bowl,srirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk,beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in vanilla.

Spoon batter into 18 muffin cups lined with paper liners. Bake for 12 mins or till cupcakes spring back when touched lightly in the center. Cool in pan 10 mins. on a wire rack;remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

To prepare frosting: Combine powdered sugar,cream cheese and peppermint extract in a bowl,stirring till smooth. Spread about 4 tsps.frosting on each cupcake;sprinkle evenly with candies.