Guilt-Free Peppermint Mocha Delight Cupcakes
Indulge in a festive treat with these Guilt-Free Peppermint Mocha Delight Cupcakes! These moist and chocolatey cupcakes are made using a clever twist: they’re lightened up with a can of diet soda instead of traditional high-calorie ingredients. Featuring a refreshing hint of peppermint and a sugar-free white chocolate frosting, these cupcakes are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without the guilt. Ideal for holiday gatherings or a delightful afternoon pick-me-up, these cupcakes pack all the flavor without the extra calories. Treat yourself and enjoy the holidays with this smart, delicious dessert!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
devil's food cake mix
1 (18 ounce) (dry mix)
diet Sprite
1 (12 ounce can) (can)
peppermint extract
1 teaspoon (liquid)
sugar-free white chocolate pudding mix
1 (1 ounce) package (dry mix)
Cool Whip Lite
1 cup (thawed)
pure peppermint extract
1 teaspoon (liquid)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tin with liners.
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the devil's food cake mix, the can of diet Sprite, and the peppermint extract. Stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
3
Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about 1/2 to 2/3 full, depending on your desired cupcake size.
4
Bake in the preheated oven for the time specified on the cake mix box for cupcakes, usually 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5
While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the frosting by whisking together the Cool Whip Lite, sugar-free white chocolate pudding mix, and pure peppermint extract in a bowl until smooth and creamy.
6
Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, frost each cupcake generously using a spatula or piping bag. Optionally, decorate with crushed peppermint candy cane or a sprinkle of cocoa powder for an extra festive touch.
7
Serve and enjoy your guilt-free peppermint mocha delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Guilt-Free Peppermint Mocha Delight Cupcakes?
These are moist, chocolatey cupcakes lightened up with diet soda and topped with a sugar-free white chocolate peppermint frosting.
How are these cupcakes lightened up?
The recipe uses a can of diet soda to replace the oil and eggs traditionally required by the cake mix box.
What flavor cake mix is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one 18-ounce package of dry devil's food cake mix.
Can I use regular Sprite instead of diet Sprite?
Yes, but using regular Sprite will increase the calorie and sugar content of the cupcakes.
How much diet soda is required?
You need one 12-ounce can of diet Sprite for the cupcake batter.
Is peppermint extract used in the batter?
Yes, one teaspoon of peppermint extract is added to the cake mix and soda mixture.
What is the oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How long should the cupcakes bake?
They should bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or the time specified on the cake mix box for cupcakes.
What is the frosting made of?
The frosting consists of thawed Cool Whip Lite, sugar-free white chocolate pudding mix, and pure peppermint extract.
Do I need to add eggs to the cake mix?
No, the diet soda acts as the liquid component, so eggs are not necessary.
Is oil required for this recipe?
No, this guilt-free version eliminates the need for oil by using diet soda instead.
What kind of pudding mix is used for the frosting?
The recipe uses one 1-ounce package of dry sugar-free white chocolate pudding mix.
Does the Cool Whip need to be frozen or thawed?
The Cool Whip Lite should be thawed before you whisk it into the frosting ingredients.
How much peppermint extract goes into the frosting?
The frosting requires one teaspoon of pure peppermint extract.
Should I overmix the cupcake batter?
No, you should stir the ingredients gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
How full should the cupcake liners be?
Fill the liners about 1/2 to 2/3 full depending on your desired cupcake size.
How do I test if the cupcakes are done?
Insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake; it is done if the toothpick comes out clean.
What can I use to decorate the cupcakes?
Optional decorations include crushed peppermint candy canes or a light sprinkle of cocoa powder.
Are these cupcakes completely sugar-free?
While they use sugar-free pudding and diet soda, the cake mix itself may contain sugar.
What makes these cupcakes mocha flavor?
The combination of the rich devil's food chocolate base and peppermint creates a flavor profile often associated with holiday mocha treats.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 6 total ingredients: cake mix, diet soda, two portions of peppermint extract, pudding mix, and whipped topping.
Can I use a piping bag for the frosting?
Yes, you can use a piping bag or a spatula to generously frost each cupcake.
Is this recipe good for holiday parties?
Yes, the peppermint and white chocolate flavors make it an ideal festive treat for holiday gatherings.
How do I store the finished cupcakes?
Because the frosting contains whipped topping, the cupcakes should be stored in the refrigerator.
Can I use a different brand of diet soda?
Yes, any clear diet lemon-lime soda or even diet ginger ale will work in this recipe.
What size cake mix box is needed?
The recipe is designed for a standard 18-ounce box of cake mix.
What size pudding mix package is needed?
You need a 1-ounce package of dry sugar-free white chocolate pudding mix.
Is the peppermint extract liquid or dry?
The recipe uses liquid peppermint extract in both the batter and the frosting.
Can I use a spatula to frost them?
Yes, a spatula is perfect for spreading the creamy frosting over the cooled cupcakes.
Should the cupcakes be warm when frosting?
No, the cupcakes must be completely cooled to prevent the whipped frosting from melting.