06/01/2024
T**s cold outside, so today we made some hot chocolate cupcakes 🧁 with marshmallow buttercream and a caramel rum sauce drizzle. Enjoy! 😋
- [ ] Hot Cocoa Cupcakes Recipe With Marshmallow Buttercream and caramel rum sauce
PREP TIME
40 minutes
COOK TIME
20 minutes to 22 minutes
MAKES
12
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE CUPCAKES:
* 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
* 2 large eggs, room temperature
* 12 cupcake liners
* 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/4 cup hot chocolate mix (one 1.38-ounce packet)
* 1/2 cup hot water
* 1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
FOR THE FROSTING:
* 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter (room temperature, softened)
* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
* 3 cups powdered sugar
* 7 ounces marshmallow fluff (about 2 cups)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Hot chocolate mix
* Marshmallow bits or mini marshmallows (optional)
FOR THE CARAMEL RUM SAUCE DRIZZLE:
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* ⅓ cup water
* ¼ cup butter
* ½ cup heavy cream
* 1-2 tablespoons rum extract
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* ¼ teaspoons salt
MAKE THE CUPCAKES:
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350ºF. Line a standard 12-well muffin tin with paper liners.
* Place 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine.
* Place 1/4 cup hot chocolate mix without marshmallows in a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup hot water and whisk until smooth. Add the buttermilk, 1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and whisk until combined. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition, until combined.
* Add half of the flour mixture and fold together with a flexible spatula until just combined. Repeat folding in the remaining flour mixture.
* Divide the batter evenly between the wells of the muffin pan, filling each one almost to the top but leaving enough room for them to expand
* Bake for 20-23 mins. Test with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean.
MAKE THE FROSTING AND ASSEMBLE:
* Place 1 stick unsalted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer (or medium bowl if using an electric hand mixer). Add 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Beat with the paddle attachment on high speed until smooth and just combined, about 1 min.
* With the mixer on low speed, beat in 3 cups powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add marshmallow fluff (about 2 cups) and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat on medium-low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds.
* Spoon the frosting onto the cupcakes, or transfer to a piping bag fitted with a tip and pipe onto the cupcakes. Dust with more hot chocolate mix if desired, drizzle caramel rum sauce and garnish with mini marshmallow.
MAKE THE CARAMEL RUM SAUCE:
*Combine sugar and water in a heavy saucepan.
*Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
*Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally if needed to ensure even cooking, Let cook until sugar turns a golden brown caramel color.
*Remove from heat immediately, and carefully stir in butter.
*After butter is mixed in, add cream, stirring until completely incorporated. Caramel may thicken and appear clumpy where the cool cream hits it, just stir until smooth again.
*Stir in rum, vanilla, and salt.
*Let cool to a safe temperature, then transfer to a storage container. Caramel may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.