St. Patrick’s Day is all about celebrating luck, laughter, and a little bit of magic! ✨ Whether you have Irish roots or just love a good excuse to bake something fun, these chocolate cupcakes with creamy mint frosting are the perfect treat. The rich, fudgy cake pairs beautifully with the cool, refreshing mint frosting, and the fondant toppers add just the right festive touch.

Every year on March 17th, people across the world celebrate St. Paddy’s Day by wearing green, looking for four-leaf clovers, and (of course) indulging in delicious treats! 🍀 Legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity, which is why you’ll see them everywhere on this holiday. So, let’s bring a little Irish charm to the kitchen and bake up something lucky!

St. Patrick’s Chocolate Cupcakes with Creamy Mint Frosting

Ingredients

Chocolate Cupcakes
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup hot water

Creamy Mint Frosting
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
Green food coloring

Fondant Toppers
Store-bought fondant (or homemade)
Green food coloring
Small shamrock cookie cutter (or shape by hand!)

Instructions

Cupcakes

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.

Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing just until combined. Stir in the hot water —the batter will be thin, but that’s what makes the cupcakes so moist and rich!

Divide the batter into the liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely.

Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream to keep it smooth. Mix in peppermint extract and a few drops of green food coloring until you reach that perfect St. Paddy’s Day shade!

Create the Fondant Toppers

Knead green food coloring into your fondant until it’s evenly colored. Roll it out and cut small shamrocks using a cookie cutter (or shape by hand if you’re feeling crafty!). Let them dry slightly before placing them on the cupcakes.

Decorate & Enjoy!

Pipe the mint frosting onto each cupcake using a star tip for a fancy swirl. Gently place a fondant shamrock on top for the final lucky touch! 🍀

These cupcakes are the perfect St. Patrick’s Day dessert—they’ve got a little bit of luck, a little bit of sweetness, and a whole lot of chocolatey goodness! 🎉

Whether you’re celebrating with a family party, a school event, or just treating yourself, these cupcakes will bring a smile to everyone’s face. Sláinte! (That’s the Irish way of saying “cheers!”)