Hot Cocoa Cupcakes Food

HOT COCOA "CUPCAKES"

Steps:

• Make the Cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Transfer to a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or use a hand mixer) and blend briefly.
• Whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add to the dry ingredients and mix at low speed for 5 minutes. Gradually add the hot water, mixing at low speed until just combined. The batter will be quite thin.
• Pour the batter into coffee cups and arrange them 1-inch apart on a sheet pan or a rectangular cake pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a few crumbs are okay), and the center feels firm to the touch, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let the cakes cool on the pan. (Don't remove the cakes from the cups!)
• Meanwhile, make the Topping: In a chilled bowl, combine the cream and sugar and whip, using a hand-mixer, until soft peaks form.
• When ready to serve, spoon the topping over the cakes to cover, so they look like a cups of cocoa topped with whipped cream. Serve with a spoon.

PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake or muffin pan with 24 regular-size cupcake liners.
• Combine the chocolate chips and hot coffee together, stirring occasionally until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. In a large bowl sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer until thickened slightly. Slowly add the buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Add the melted chocolate mixture to the eggs, and combine completely. Add the sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until well combined.
• Fill the prepared cupcake liners three-quarters full with the cupcake batter. Place in the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 18 to 21 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the Chocolate Ganache and the Peppermint Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting. Put the frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.
• To assemble: Using an apple corer, remove the center of each cupcake. Fill each cupcake with a spoonful of the Chocolate Ganache. Using the frosting-filled pastry bag, frost the cupcakes. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
• Bring the heavy cream and butter to a simmer in a small saucepan. Turn off the heat and add in the chocolate. Stir the mixture until smooth. Set aside to cool.
• Whip together the butter and marshmallow cream, using an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Add the peppermint extract. Slowly add 2 cups of the powdered sugar and continue to mix on a slow speed. Add the milk and additional powdered sugar, up to 2 cups, until desired consistency is reached.

HOT COCOA "CUPCAKES"

Steps:

• Equipment: 6 fairly heavy China coffee cups.
• Make the Cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Transfer to a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or use a hand mixer) and blend briefly.
• Whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add to the dry ingredients and mix at low speed for 5 minutes. Gradually add the hot water, mixing at low speed until just combined. The batter will be quite thin.
• Pour the batter into coffee cups and arrange them 1-inch apart on a sheet pan or a rectangular cake pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a few crumbs are okay), and the center feels firm to the touch, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let the cakes cool on the pan. (Don't remove the cakes from the cups!)
• Meanwhile, make the Topping: In a chilled bowl, combine the cream and sugar and whip, using a hand-mixer, until soft peaks form.
• When ready to serve, spoon the topping over the cakes to cover, so they look like a cups of cocoa topped with whipped cream. Serve with a spoon.

HOT CHOCOLATE COCOA CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350F for a shiny metal muffin pan or 325F for dark or nonstick muffin pan.
• Place paper baking liner in each of the 12 regular size muffins cups.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil and egg with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds.
• Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Divide batter evening among 12 muffin cups.
• Bake 17-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack.
• Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small bowl, mix frosting and marshmallow creme.
• Spoon into small resealable plastic bag; seal bag.
• Cut 3/8 inch tip off one corner of bag (or spoon mixture on top of cupcakes instead of piping).
• Pipe 3 small dollops of frosting mixture on top of each cupcake to resemble melted marshmallows.
• Sprinkle with cocoa.
• Press pretzel half into side of each cupcake to resemble a cup handle.

HOT COCOA CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 24 cupcakes; cool completely.
• Meanwhile, cook 1 cup marshmallows, semi-sweet chocolate and milk in large saucepan on low heat until marshmallows and chocolate are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring constantly. Pour into large bowl; cool 30 min.
• Whisk COOL WHIP into marshmallow mixture; spread onto cupcakes. Top with remaining marshmallows and cocoa powder.