Mother Nature remains silent on the subject of snow. I am sure she will punish us with some worst-in-a-century snow storm. Or perhaps she heard me complaining about the heat in the middle of June last year? Being 9 months pregnant kind of gives you that right, no?
Aaaanyways, our calendar still shows it's Winter, so I will enjoy Winter-y treats.
Like hot chocolate.
In a frosting.
On a cupcake.
Because that's how I roll. 🙂
And because last January, I was on no-sugar no-sweets no-baking diet and now I am not. Revenge? It's sweeeeeet. 🙂
Chocolate Cupcakes
adapted from Better Homes and Gardens Bridal Edition Cookbook
3 eggs, room temperature
2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c shortening
1 3/4 c granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 c cold water
Line your cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients ( flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt ).
Place shortening in a large mixing bowl and beat for 30 seconds. Add sugar and vanilla and beat until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time and beat well after each addition.
Add flour mixture alternating with water. Beat until just combined.
Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake 18 - 20 minutes, until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool cupcakes in the pan for few minutes, then transfer onto a cooling rack.
Cool completely before frosting.
Makes 2 dozen cupcakes.
Hot Chocolate Frosting
8 oz cream cheese, cold
1/2 c ( 1 stick ) butter, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/2 -4 c powdered sugar
1 packet ( 1.25 oz ) hot chocolate mix ( I used Dark Chocolate Sensation by Swiss Miss )
Place butter in a large mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for 20 - 30 seconds.
Add cold cream cheese and vanilla extract and beat until light and creamy.
Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Beat well. Add the hot chocolate mix and beat until well incorporated.
You can refrigerate it to stiffen it up a little or frost the cupcakes right away, and then refrigerate.
I used Wilton's 1M tip to frost the cupcakes.
Julie says
These Sound Fantastic!
Jenn Kendall says
these sound amazing!! hot chocolate icing sounds so delicious! thanks for sharing 🙂
Hannah says
Yum, hot chocolate frosting sounds divine! gorgeous looking cupcakes!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you so much, Hannah!
Tabitha (a.k.a. Penny) says
Wow. I mean... Wow. I just want to stick my face in one of those cupcakes but that wouldn't be very lady-like, would it? Thanks for linking these at Weekend Potluck. (pinning these for sure!)
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
You mean that that's what my Hubby was thinking when he saw me eating the first cupcake? lol 🙂 Thank you so much for pinning, commenting and for hosting such a fun event!
Simply Life says
oh these look PERFECT!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Awww, thank you!
What's Baking?? says
Greetings, Anna. You have a lovely blog. Love your cupcakes.
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you so much and welcome to CCS!
Ann says
What a BRILLIANT idea! Hot chocolate frosting....pure genius! It looks so delicious! You know I'm not complaining about the cold! I'm not a cold weather person AT ALL!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Awww, thank you, Ann 🙂
Katie says
Your little cupcake wrappers are adorable!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you, Katie 🙂
Lizzy says
My family loves cupcakes and I'm long overdue to bake a batch. They'd love your hot chocolate version...how fun!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you, Lizzy! Hope you will try them 🙂
Jill says
These cupcakes look amazing! Love that the frosting uses a packet of hot chocolate!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you, Jill!
Tina says
Using that hot chocolate mix for the frosting is a great idea, especially since there is so much variety of mixes out there these days! I do like the light milky color of the frosting-it does have the same color as hot chocolate. Also I do think that the milk chocolate flavor against the dark chocolate flavored cupcakes would be delicious. Great post. Enjoy the weekend!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you so much, Tina! Have a great weekend!
Curry and Comfort says
Now that's a brilliant idea... hot chocolate frosting!! Wow!! Well done indeed! 🙂 Have a great weekend! ~ Ramona
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Aww, thank you, Ramona!
Samantha says
Oh my, those look YUMMO! I usually am not a chocolate on chocolate kind of gal, but I could make an exception for those!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you, Samantha! I hope you will try them!
Elpiniki says
So beautiful cupcakes! They look delicious!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you 🙂
Sudha says
Hello Anna,
Hopped onto your lovely blog from Serena's place.I'm so glad to be here and you are such an amazing baker!!I'm your newest follower - do drop in my place too sometime:)Lovely meeting you!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Awww, thank you so much, Sudha! Welcome to CCS!
Leanne @ Around the Table says
Chocolate+more chocolate is a great combo! Love it. They look so decadent!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you so much, Leanne!
CulinaryCache says
These look delicious and I love the idea of hot chocolate frosting!
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Thank you so much!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
What an awesome idea! I've heard of putting it in just about everything else, but frosting tops the bunch.
Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I hope you will try it - it's delicious! Thank you for your comment, Dorothy!