Drumroll I just wanted to announce that if you were watching TVJ’s Weekend Smile yesterday morning, you probably knew these Christmas cupcakes would be here this morning :). If not, I was on TV yesterday! If you know Jamaica then you know that we have about 10 local channels, and out of the news channels three, and TVJ is one of these. Their show Weekend Smile is basically a show that comes on on the weekend and is a continuation of their weekly TVJ Smile Jamaica which comes on every weekday morning at about 6:00/6:30 am and features different people talking about different items.
They asked me to come on and share my eggnog recipe, what you can pair with eggnog in a dessert form (these cupcakes) and also to share gifts that foodies would love to get for Christmas. This is the third time I have been on their show; twice now on the weekend show and once on the weekday show. Again it was so fun!! And again the night before I was like “I’m chill” then woke up wondering if I ate all the cupcakes I would have no choice but to not go on! Just KIDDING! I could never eat all of those cupcakes…at one time… After re-watching the tape (God bless my Dad!) I honestly think that this was the best appearance! I looked so calm cool and collected and I actually felt that way other than the fact that the segment goes by so fast you don’t even realise when it is over. When they put up the online video I will link it here.
On to the delicious cupcakes that were featured; these Chocolate Peppermint Swirl Cupcakes. These Chocolate Peppermint Swirl Christmas Cupcakes are so good. I never caught on to the mint chocolate trend but I understand the craze now. Something about the peppermint adds a sort of kick to the chocolate, a minty kick, lightening up the flavour but at the same time adding a depth and richness that can only be understood when you bite into them. The cupcakes are so soft and velvety and the melted peppermint that was swirled into the batter certainly did the trick. Alternatively you could just add a dot of peppermint extract – a little goes a long way – which is much easier but I don’t regret swirling the peppermint into the cupcake batter. You get nice hints of peppermint in every bite and when combined with the frosting, the peppermint melts very slightly, creating a welcome crunch packed with flavour. After one day the peppermint flavour is even more prominent in the cupcakes, so consider making these a day in advance and storing in air-tight containers. These would be great for any Christmas gathering! I’m going to be making them again later this week for a Christmas gathering and will probably be the last treat I make before I leave for the Christmas holidays. Snow! I’m so excited, so excited that I’ve already tried on all of my winter gear in this an air conditioned room in this very hot country and imagined myself in the snow. Yes I know, the reality is probably not as fanciful, but a girl can dream, right? 🙂
