OMG….can a Sunday really get any better! I picked up some Chocolate Mint Leaves at the Glasgow Food Assembly on Monday https://thefoodassembly.com/en/assemblies/7907 , thanks to Rhone Cottage http://www.rhonecottage.co.uk/ , not really knowing what I was going to do with them, but one thing for sure I had to try them. I knew they had a delightful minty chocolate flavour to them so it had to be a dessert of some sort, these were just the ticket…….absolutely amazing flavours and so fresh tasting.

Makes 12

Cupcakes:-

• 150g self raising flour
• 50g cocoa powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 50g butter, softened
• 100g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 80ml milk
• small handful of chocolate mint leaves, very finely chopped

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 deg.
2. Combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter with a mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and whip until fluffy, about 2 minutes. One at a time, add the eggs, fully mixing after each addition. Add vanilla and mix just until combined.
4. To the butter mixture add 1/3 of the flour and combine, then add 1/2 the milk and mix. Next add another 1/3 of the flour and mix, add the rest of the milk and mix, then add the remaining flour and mix thoroughly.  
5. At this stage add in your chopped chocolate mint leaves and mix together.                                                         
6. Place your cupcake cases into your tray and then using an ice cream scoop fill each case. (After years of try to get the right amount in a cup case with a spoon, this is just the ticket, perfect amount and easy to scoop. I thoroughly recommend you try….you’ll never look back)                                                           
7. Bake for approx 18 mins or until a knife comes out clean. Remove and allow to cool before frosting.                       Frosting:-

• 80g dark chocolate – at least 70% cocoa…I used Lindt (best chocolate in my book)
• 2 egg whites
• 50g icing sugar
• 30g butter, softened
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 100g Fresh Raspberries (Scottish is best!)

1. Melt Chocolate using either a bowl and pan of water method or of you have an induction hob, melt in saucepan on level 1.
2. Place raspberries in a sieve over a bowl and mash until you extract the juice only….if you want the texture of the seeds then just mash and put to one side. (I’m not a fan of the seeds, I wanted a smooth frosting)    
3. In a bowl mix sugar and egg whites until stiff peaks appear, you can test this by switching of your mixer and removing, if the peaks stay up it’s ready, if the peaks flop, mix some more…..this should take around 10 mins….very boring point of the recipe…I suggest pouring yourself a glass of wine and sipping while mixing.  Just starting out……..                                                     after 5 minutes…….still no where near stiff………sip…..sip……sip…… Whoohoooo….we’re there….several sips of wine later!
4. Add the vanilla to the egg whites, then add the butter, little at a time mixing at each stage.
5. Now add in the chocolate and raspberry juice and mix thoroughly together.                                                                  
6. If not using straight away, you can refrigerate or even freezer the frosting.

Decorate your cupcakes anyway you choose and enjoy!