Cupcakes

• 30 chocolate-covered mint chocolate cookies, divided
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

Icing

• 10 tablespoons (1-1/4 sticks) butter
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 package (4.67 oz.) crème de menthe chocolate candies, roughly chopped, divided
• 5 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 cup milk

Tools

• 2 muffin pans
• Large and small bowls
• Electric mixer
• Cooling rack
• Large saucepan
• Tip 1M