Creating Cozy Peppermint Cupcakes is simple if you follow these steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream Butter: In another bowl, cream the softened butter until smooth.
4. Add Eggs and Extracts: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the vanilla and peppermint extracts.
5. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
6. Add Chocolate Chips: If desired, fold in the mini chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey flavor.
7. Fill Cupcake Liners: Pour the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
8. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
10. Prepare Frosting: While the cupcakes cool, beat the softened butter for the frosting until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and peppermint extract, mixing until smooth and fluffy.
11. Frost Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them generously with the peppermint frosting.
12. Add Toppings: Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of the frosted cupcakes for a festive touch.