Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cupcakes
One bite of these Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cupcakes and you’ll see why we love them so much! Plus they’re absolutely gorgeous!

Peppermint Bark Cupcakes
One of my favorite holiday treats is peppermint bark candy. It’s creamy, chocolate-y, and minty — with just a little bit of crunch that makes it so crave-able! I look forward to enjoying a few pieces (wink, wink) every year!
These Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cupcakes are a tribute to my favorite Christmas candy. I might even love the cupcakes more than the candy!
We started with a chocolate peppermint cupcake base, then topped with homemade red and white swirled buttercream frosting.
Not only are they delicious, but they are so pretty! These easy Peppermint Bark Cupcakes will wow everyone at your next Christmas party!
— Stacey
Keep reading for prep tips and photo step-by-step instructions. A free printable copy of the full recipe and ingredients list is available at the bottom of the post.

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To Make Your Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
There are two ways you can make your chocolate peppermint cupcakes:
- Start with our Thin Mint Cupcakes recipe
- Use box cupcake mix and add 2-3 drops peppermint extract to batter
If you have a box of Thin Mint cookies on hand, I highly recommend using our Thin Mint Cupcakes recipe (listed above) because they have the perfect bit of “crunch” that you’d expect from peppermint bark.
However, if you’re pressed for time (as we often are during the holidays), the box mix shortcut will work just fine.
Either way, these Peppermint Bark Cupcakes are so delicious and a beautiful holiday treat!

Red & White Swirl Buttercream Frosting
Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, begin beating your softened butter, sugar and milk together. Continue for 2-3 minutes or until completely smooth.
Divide your frosting evenly between two bowls.

Color one bowl of buttercream frosting with 1/4 tsp of red gel food coloring. Mix until you have a smooth, red frosting.
Leave the other bowl of frosting white in color.

Prepare your piping bag with your desired tip and put it inside a glass or mug. This will hold it open for you and make it easier to scoop the buttercream into it.

Scoop your white buttercream into one side of your piping bag and your red buttercream into another side.
TIP: Use a 2-3 color swirl frosting coupler for perfect and easy swirling action!
Frost each cupcake with your swirl icing and top with crushed peppermint candies for extra crunch (if desired).
Aren’t they beautiful?!

Be sure to pin our Peppermint Bark Cupcakes on Pinterest:

Grab a Free Printable Copy of Our Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cupcakes
If you like this recipe, rate it! We’d also love to hear what you think in the comments below!
Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cupcakes

Tastes just like peppermint bark candy!
Ingredients
- 12 chocolate cupcakes, cooled and ready for decorating
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 3-5 tbsp milk
- Red gel food coloring
Instructions
To Make Your Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
There are two ways you can make your chocolate peppermint cupcakes:
- Use our Thin Mint Cupcakes recipe
- Use box cupcake mix and add 2-3 drops peppermint extract to batter
Red & White Swirl Buttercream Frosting
- Using a stand/electric mixer, start beating your softened butter, sugar and milk until completely smooth. Divide into two bowls.
- Color one bowl of buttercream with 1/4 tsp of red gel food coloring. Mix until completely tinted.
- Prepare your piping bag with your desired tip and put it inside a glass or mug. This will hold it open for you and make it easier to scoop the buttercream into it.
- Scoop your white buttercream into one side of your piping bag and your red buttercream into another side. (Tip: Use a double frosting coupler for perfect swirling action).
- Frost each cupcake and enjoy!
More Christmas Desserts for Kids
See all of our favorite Christmas recipes for kids here: