Description
These Hot Cocoa Cupcake Mugs are a delightful winter treat, combining moist chocolate cupcakes with a whipped cream topping and festive decorations. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they mimic the look of hot cocoa mugs with optional candy cane handles, mini marshmallows, and sprinkles, offering both a fun presentation and comforting flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus required eggs, oil, and water according to package)
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Topping and Decoration
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- 6–8 mini candy canes (optional, for handles)
- Festive sprinkles for topping
- Optional: chocolate syrup or hot cocoa mix for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Prepare the cake batter: Follow the instructions on the chocolate cake mix box to make the batter, including adding eggs, oil, and water as specified. Fold the chocolate chips gently into the batter to distribute them evenly.
- Fill and bake: Spoon the batter into the lined muffin tin, filling each cupcake liner about two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool cupcakes: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Make whipped cream topping: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, creating a light and fluffy topping.
- Frost the cupcakes: Spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting on top of each cooled cupcake to serve as the base for the whipped cream.
- Add whipped cream and garnish: Pipe or spoon a swirl of whipped cream on top of each cupcake to resemble whipped topping. Sprinkle mini marshmallows and festive sprinkles generously over the whipped cream.
- Attach candy cane handles (optional): Carefully break mini candy canes into curved pieces and press one into the side of each cupcake, creating the look of a mug handle.
- Final touches: Optionally dust the tops with hot cocoa mix or drizzle with chocolate syrup to enhance the hot cocoa mug effect before serving.
Notes
- Use mug-style cupcake wrappers for a festive and fun presentation.
- For deeper chocolate flavor, stir in a teaspoon of instant coffee or extra cocoa powder into the cake batter.
- These cupcakes can be baked a day ahead and decorated just before serving to save time.
