Peppermint Chocolate Cupcakes

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

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

In a separate large bowl, mix together the unsweetened applesauce and sweetner until well combined. Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the applesauce mixture and mix well.

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in the peppermint extract until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, frost the cupcakes with a healthier frosting option, such as a coconut whipped cream or a cashew cream frosting. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top for garnish. Enjoy your healthier peppermint chocolate cupcakes!