By Popular Demand...

SO MANY EMAILS asking for this recipe!!! I give to you, the Christmas Crack Cupcakes. I mean, Trader Joe Joe Cupcakes! I must warn that I make things up in the kitchen A LOT, but these should come out pretty darn close. You will most likely end up with extra frosting, so pile it on!

Trader Joe Joe's Chocolate Cookie Cupcake with Candy Cane Double Chocolate Ganache

Cupcakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup cold, strong, brewed coffee
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. Peppermint Extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1-2 cups crushed/broken Trader Joe Joe Candy Cane Sandwich Cookies

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, coffee, buttermilk and oil. Stir just until blended. Fold in crushed cookies. Scoop the batter into the prepared cups, 2/3 full.

Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter. Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting and sprinkle reserved bacon crumbles on top. Dust with additional cocoa powder.

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ganache

9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon peppermint schnapps (optional)
1 cup heavy cream

Place the chocolate into a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring just to a boil, watching very carefully because if it boils for a few seconds, it will boil out of the pot. When the cream has come to a boil, pour over the chopped chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Stir in the liquor if desired.

Allow the ganache to cool slightly before dipping cupcakes to cover tops.

White Cheesecream Frosting

1 cup heavy cream
1 brick cream cheese, room temp.
8 oz. mascarpone cheese, room temp.
powdered sugar (approx 5 cups)
1 tsp. peppermint extract
red food color
Andes candy cane peppermint baking pieces

Whip cream until stiff peaks form. Fold in cheeses and then whip together. Add sugar in small increments until desired consistancy is achieved.

In a piping or zipper bag, paint on stripe of red dye on inside of bag. Scoop frosting into bag and then pipe onto cupcakes. Sprinkle with candy cane pieces