Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. For the cupcakes, place butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and mix until combined.
3. Mix in apple sauce and club soda, then mix in the eggs, one at a time. Then mix in the food coloring, and the mint extract. Continue to mix until combined. This mixture will probably be really ugly, but it’s ok! Set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour this mixture into the mixing bowl to combine with the butter mixture.
5. Once fully incorporated, fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Place the batter into cupcake baking papers in a cupcake tin (recipe makes 18 standard sized), and bake for 14-17 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. For the buttercream, combine the butter, shortening, and vanilla in a bowl. Mix in the cocoa powder, meringue powder, and powdered sugar.
8. Once combined, add the milk and mix until desired consistency is reached.
9. Pipe the buttercream on top of cupcakes, sprinkle with more mini chocolate chips if desired, and enjoy!