Description
These Hot Cocoa Cupcakes are the ultimate winter treat, capturing all the cozy flavor of a warm cup of cocoa in soft, rich cupcakes. Topped with fluffy chocolate frosting and mini marshmallows, they’re perfect for holiday parties, snow days, or when you’re just craving something comforting and chocolaty.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream
Mini marshmallows for topping
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat the egg, then mix in milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing slowly.
5. Add the hot water and mix gently until the batter is smooth. It will be thin.
6. Fill each cupcake liner two-thirds full and bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cupcakes cool for 5 minutes in the tin, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. For the frosting, beat butter until fluffy, then gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
9. Add heavy cream a tablespoon at a time and beat until the frosting is light and spreadable.
10. Frost cooled cupcakes using a piping bag with a star tip, and top with mini marshmallows.
Notes
Use hot water, not cold or lukewarm, to intensify the cocoa flavor in the batter.
For a creamier frosting, let your butter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before whipping.
Don’t overbake—check at 18 minutes and remove cupcakes when a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg