Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  And the season to be jolly!  And all of those other clichés!  But in all seriousness, I love this time of year.  Sweater season is my absolute favorite, because no one can tell how much weight I gain.  (I'm like 10% kidding, but mostly not).  Getting to curl up by the fireplace (or, in my house, a video of a fireplace on the tv), drink hot cocoa, and watch holiday movies - there's nothing better.  Until now, that is, because instead of drinking hot cocoa, I can now eat it in cupcake form.

Cupcakes
1 cup peppermint hot chocolate
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
2 cups sugar
1 2/3 cups flour
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup cocoa powder (I used dark, but I'm sure they all work)
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

Line two cupcake tins - 24 cupcakes total.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Stir the chocolate chips into the hot chocolate until melted (you might need to heat up the hot chocolate a little more after adding the chocolate chips to it).  In a large bowl, beat the eggs together, then add the buttermilk, vanilla, and melted butter.  Add the hot chocolate mixture and stir well.  Add in the flour, sugar, and cocoa powder, then beat until completely combined.  Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 of the way full, then bake about 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Chocolate ganache
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 tbs butter
6 oz chocolate (again, I used dark, but semisweet would probably work, too)
1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Put heavy cream and butter in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.  Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate until melted and smooth, then add the peppermint extract and stir until combined.

Marshmallow buttercream
1/2 cup butter at room temperature
7 oz marshmallow fluff (or melt marshmallows down if you feel like washing an extra dish - I didn't)
1 tsp peppermint extract
2 tbs milk
4 cups powdered sugar

Beat together the butter and marshmallow fluff, then add the peppermint extract.  Add 2 cups of powdered sugar, then add 1 tablespoon of milk.  Add the remainder of the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.  If too much is added, add the remaining tablespoon of milk.  Beat until smooth.

Assembly
You can core the cupcakes and spoon ganache into the middle of each of them, or you could put the ganache in a squeeze bottle and squeeze it into the cupcakes.  That's what I did because it seemed easier, and I'm lazy.  Frost the cupcakes.  Add marshmallows, chocolate chips, and a mini candy cane as garnish if desired.  Or don't.  Either way, it's delicious.  You're welcome.