If you don’t know by now, I drink coffee every morning. In the winter, I drink a cup of hot chocolate or hot tea just about every night. I love the feeling a warm cup brings to your hands and how the hot liquid makes you feel all the way inside.
Since being here in Peru, I have learned how to make my own hot cocoa powder (to avoid spending $4 a box on Swiss Miss packets), found brands of chocolate like Milo and Choco Presto, and enjoyed cups (and cups) of Peruvian Drinking Chocolate.
In celebration of delicious hot cocoa, I offer you an adorable idea of Hot Cocoa Cupcakes. For those of you in other countries, please take a look at Kraft to see the original idea. Instead of using a box mix for devil’s food cake, I made the cakes from scratch (because I had to, not because I wanted to); I tried to make cool whip (because I had to, not because I wanted to) – and it was a flop. With a race against time, Ulrike from Kuchenlatein was so helpful to find a different frosting recipe when I realized my plan D (no, not plan B) wasn’t going to work.
These may not warm you up inside, but they sure will make you smile!
Hot Cocoa Cupcakes
Adapted from kraft.com
Makes 24
2 1/4 cups of flour
1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of shortening
1 3/4 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
3 eggs
1 1/3 cup of water
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening on high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and vanilla; beating until well combined. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Alternately add water and flour mixture to the shortening mixture, stirring after each addition. Pour batter into muffin tins lined with cupcake liners.
3. Bake at 350F for 20-22 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes, then remove from pans. Cool thoroughly on wire racks.
4. Frost with Marshmallow Chocolate Frosting. Add miniature marshmallows and sprinkle with cocoa powder.
Marshmallow Chocolate Frosting
Adapted from Cooks.com
2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup of butter
1 small can of evaporated milk
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
1 cup of small marshmallows
1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, butter, evaporated milk and cocoa powder. Cook to 230F on a candy thermometer, or until soft ball stage.
2. Remove from heat and add small marshmallows, stirring until melted. Cool slightly and frost cupcakes.
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Hot Cocoa Cupcakes are being served up for the March Cupcake Hero Contest, hosted by Laurie at Quirky Cupcake.
Cute, CUTE idea! My 6 year old would go nuts over these, not to mention my hubby
These are too cute! What a clever idea. I’m shocked that they don’t have Cool Whip where you are!
Oh wow these sound great. Such a cute idea!
These are adorable!
Great idea!
I really like the presentation! I went to the Kraft site via your link, but they did not use the mug in the photo – what a great idea! They should hire you.
So stinkin adorable! I totally have to steal this idea come winter. Great job!
-Clara
Very cute idea! I love it!!
Is Peruvian cocoa powder like Mexican cocoa, with sugar and cinnamon ground in with the cocoa?
Those cupcakes look DEEELICIOUS! You presented them beautifully. I will have to make these for sure. Mom’s b-day is coming up…
Mallow frosting sounds great.
That is a great idea!I also love coffee, tea, hot chocolate, anything warm in a cup basically! Kudos for sticking with the recipe up to plan D, looks like it was worth it!
These look beautiful and delicious! I bet the frosting was amazing! I love chocolate and marshmallows- it’s the perfect combination!
Gretchen these look sooo cool… I love the idea!
Cute indeed!
I just saw a recipe for hot chocolate cookies, and this cupcake idea sounds equally delicious!
Those are *so* cute!!
Those look so delicous. Very cute!
“Where are my marshmallows? Where are my marshmallows?” …
Am frantically looking in the cupboards, cause it just looks so good.
Those are super cute! Great idea!
Your cupcake has been chosen for ATC’s Weekly Cupcake Collection! Click her for more info. Looking forward to your next cupcake creation!
hot cocoa cupcakes?! what a great idea! mmm!