NEST Recipe - Choc Chip Mint Cupcakes

I made some yummy cupcakes yesterday, Chocolate chip Mint cupcakes. With choc chips in the cake and on the frosting. 

I adapted a recipe that I found on taste.com.au. See the recipe after the jump.

photos by me

Chocolate Cake

see the original recipe here. My adaptations are in Italics below

270g (1 1/3 cups, firmly packed) brown sugar
185ml (3/4 cup) milk
125g butter, cubed
50g (1/2 cup) cocoa powder
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
150g (1 cup) self-raising flour
2 tbs plain flour
3 eggs, lightly whisked
100g baking dark chocolate
1/2 cup small chocolate chips

1. Step 1
   Preheat oven to 160°C. Brush a deep, square, 19cm (base measurement) cake pan (see tip below) with the melted butter to lightly grease. Line the base and sides of the pan with non-stick baking paper. [If making cupcakes, simply put paper patty pans in a cupcake baking tray].
2. Step 2
   Place the sugar, milk and butter in a large saucepan. Use a fine sieve to sift the cocoa and bicarbonate of soda over the mixture. Place the pan over medium-low heat and use a whisk to stir until the mixture is smooth (don't boil the mixture). (See microwave tip.) Remove the pan from the heat and set aside for 5 minutes to cool slightly.
3. Step 3
   Use a sieve to sift half of each the self-raising and plain flours into the pan. Use the whisk to stir until the mixture is smooth. Repeat with the remaining flours. Add the eggs and continue to stir until well combined. [Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the batter and stir them in]. 
4. Step 4
   Pour the mixture into the prepared cake pan and gently tap the pan on a bench to release any large air bubbles. [If making cupcakes, fill each patty pan 3/4 full of cake batter]. Bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Set aside for 2 minutes before turning onto a wire rack. Set aside for 1 3/4 hours or until completely cool.
5. 
   

Peppermint Frosting/Icing

see original recipe here

125g butter, softened
1 1/2 cups icing sugar mixture
1 tablespoon milk 
Peppermint essence
Green food colouring

1. Step 1
   Using an electric mixer, beat butter in a bowl until pale and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
   
2. Step 2
   Gradually add icing sugar mixture and milk, beating constantly until combined. [Add a couple drops of peppermint essence to the mixture. Taste, and add more if desired. Add a couple of drops of green food colouring to mixture until desired colour]. 

•