COCOA CUPCAKES

 

COCOA CUPCAKES

PREP TIME 15 MINUTES

COOK TIME 16 MINUTES

ADDITIONAL TIME 15 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME 46 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

•  1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
•  3/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa
•  1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
•  1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
•  1 teaspoon baking soda
•  1/2 teaspoon salt
•  2 eggs
•  1/3 cup vegetable oil
•  1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
•  3/4 cup whole milk
•  1/2 cup hot water

COCOA FROSTING

•  1/3 cup hot chocolate mix granules
•  1/4 cup whole milk
•  3 sticks butter, room temperature
•  4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
•  1 teaspoon vanilla
•  Marshmallow Bits

INSTRUCTIONS

1. For the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line cupcake tray with baking cups.
2. Mix flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of your stand mixer until all of the dry ingredients are combined.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing in between. Add milk, oil and vanilla and mix until combined.
4. Turn mixer on low and slowly add hot water until incorporated. The batter will be very liquid. 
5. For ease of pouring, transfer batter to a large measuring cup and pour batter into baking cups about 2/3 full.
6. Bake for about 16-18 minutes or until done. Remove and let cool.
7. For the frosting: heat milk and hot chocolate mix in the microwave together for about 20 seconds. (Don’t let it boil over.) Stir and set aside to cool some.
8. In a stand mixer, beat butter until creamy and smooth. Then add confectioners' sugar one cup at a time, mixing completely between each addition. Add vanilla.
9. With the mixer on low, slowly add the liquid hot chocolate mixture and mix until completely combined. Then beat for about 3 minutes. (Note: You can adjust the thickness of the frosting by adding more confectioners' sugar or less of the hot chocolate mixture.)
10. Frost cupcakes and then sprinkle cupcake tops with marshmallow bits and a bit of dry hot chocolate mix granules.