Shamrock Mint Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25 ounce) box chocolate fudge cake mix with pudding
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup mint or creme de menthe baking chips
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 (12 ounce) can fluffy white frosting (or your own)
• 24 large green gumdrops
  

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 regular-size muffin cups with paper baking cups.
2. In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds; beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in baking chips.
3. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full.
4. Bake 21 to 26 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean.
5. Cool in pan for 10 minutes.
6. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely.
7. Stir peppermint extract into frosting until well blended; spread on cupcakes.
8. To garnish each cupcake, cut 1 gumdrop into 4 slices.
9. Place 3 rounds on cupcake to make shamrock leaves; press remaining round into thin strip and place below leaves for stem.