Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie Cupcakes

Happy St. Patrick's Day (click here for over 70 GREEN recipes from THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS linky party), and boy do I have a special GREEN recipe for you today! This is OUT OF THIS WORLD! My daughter said this is the best cupcake I have EVER made. And considering I bake all the time, I take it that this is one of those FOREVER keep recipes. I first got my inspiration from another girl scout cookie cupcakes I made last week Peanut Butter Patty Girl Scout Cookie Cupcakes and then another blogger Ladybird Ln linked up this recipe Chocolate Mint Cupcakes which is almost exactly what I was thinking. And so as the Irish would say.........

Kayley & Ashley

I really hope you ALL decide to make this DELICIOUS CUPCAKE... I guarantee you will not be disappointed. We made these for one of my girls BEST FRIENDS for her birthday (which was yesterday.... "SWEET" 18th Birthday Ashley)!

Ashlyn & Ashley

My girls have spent the last 5 years with Ashley (which they meet at their Jr. & Sr. High School). I know they are really gonna miss her next year (as they are Juniors and she is a Senior this year)!  It just won't be the same without her! Maybe with a little LUCK they will all end up at the same college!

Now onto this cupcake extravaganza.... and yes I've already txt'd and facebook'ed a few folks so I can try and buy some more girl scout cookies, CUZ WE ARE ALL OUT!!! And I know we will need to make these cupcakes again soon! (Now if only I could make a GLUTEN-FREE version, I guess I will have to get started on that too!)

Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie Cupcakes

from Tina Hudgens with Inspiration from Others

Chocolate Cake Mix, we used Triple Chocolate or Devil's Food Cake (follow directions on the back, then crush one tube of the cookies very finely and mix in the batter)

White Cake Mix (follow directions on the back; and then add 6 to 8 drops of Green Food Coloring to mixture)

Fill the mini-cupcake tin with half chocolate and half "green" cake mixture and bake as directed by the box. About 12-14 minutes. Cool and then frost.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
from Magnolia Bakery in New York City
frosting recipe updates 10-13-11

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
6-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
Green Food Coloring

Place butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the powdered sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On medium speed in an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly.

Crush a few additional Thin Mint Cookies to decorate with.