chocolate peppermint cupcakes

Ingredients For chocolate peppermint cupcakes

• CUPCAKES:
• 1 c

  dark brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 stick

  butter, room temperature
• 2 x lg

  eggs
• 1 1/4 c

  all purpose flour
• 1/2 c

  dark cocoa powder
• 1 sm pkg

  instant chocolate fudge pudding mix, dry
• 1 tsp

  baking powder
• 1/2 tsp

  baking soda
• 1/2 tsp

  salt
• 2 tsp

  instant coffee powder
• 3/4 c

  buttermilk
• 1 tsp

  pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp

  peppermint extract
• FROSTING:
• 2 c

  confectioners' sugar
• 4 oz pkg

  cream cheese
• 1/8 tsp

  peppermint extract
• 4 - 6

  red food coloring drops
• GARNISH:
• brown sprinkles