Holiday Treats! yum :)

Today was my first day back to work at my old job at Main Street Artisans, a cafe and art gallery. My boss asked me to make a dessert...I made Chocolate Candycane Cupcakes :) The chocolate cupcake recipe is originally just a cake recipe. It is delicious! You can use it for any occasion, especially if you are craving chocolate. Here is the recipe:

Chocolate Candycane Cupcakes
3/4 c. margarine or butter
2/3 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. white sugar
3 eggs
2 t. vanilla
2 1/4 c. + 1 T. flour
1/2 c. cocoa
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 c. milk
1/2 c. half & half
Frosting
8 oz cream cheese
4 T. butter
3 T. half & half
1 1/2 t. vanilla
3 c. powdered sugar
2/3 c. cocoa
1/8 t. salt
1/2 c. crushed peppermint candies
* Cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla-mix well. Then add the flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda, and salt. Mix in the milk and half & half. Blend until creamy. Put into cupcake liners (fill 2/3 full), or if making a cake: 2-8" round pans or 9x13" pan (sprayed and floured). Bake 350 degrees for 20-25 min (keep an eye on them). For the frosting: whip together the cream cheese and butter. Mix in the half & half and vanilla. Add in the powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt. Stir in half of the crushed candies. After the cupcakes have cooled, frost them and sprinkle them with the remaining candies.