• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • My Story
  • Income Reports
  • Contact Me

Stephanie's Sweet Treats

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • My Story
  • Income Reports
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • My Story
    • Income Reports
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Cupcake Recipes

    Dec 1, 2021 by Stephanie Rutherford · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

    Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

    359 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest pin for hot chocolate cupcakes.

    These hot chocolate cupcakes use hot chocolate in the cake batter and in the frosting! These are moist chocolate cupcakes that uses cocoa powder and hot chocolate. They are topped with a gooey marshmallow. The cupcakes are topped with a hot chocolate frosting.

    This post is sponsored by Lifeway and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Stephanie’s Sweet Treats possible!

    Bite missing from a hot chocolate cupcakes.

    These hot chocolate cupcakes not only combine chocolate and marshmallows, they use actual hot chocolate!

    The hot water is mixed with hot chocolate mix before added to the cupcake batter. Also, there is a heavy cream hot chocolate mix that gets poured into the frosting.

    If you are looking for more Christmas recipes, try gingerbread bundt cake, cinnamon roll cheesecake, and white chocolate toffee cookies.

    Why You Will Love This

    • Moist chocolate cupcakes- These hot cocoa cupcakes are super moist! They use Kefir and hot chocolate to make them so moist.
    • Marshmallows- The cupcakes are topped with gooey marshmallows right before they are done baking.
    • Hot chocolate frosting- This amazing frosting tastes just like a cup of hot cocoa!
    • Delicious winter-time dessert- These give you the feeling of a mug of hot chocolate in cupcake form.
    Hot chocolate cupcakes on a cake stand.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Dutch process cocoa powder- This is the one I use. Dutch process makes the cupcakes have a stronger chocolate flavor.
    • Oil- Use canola or vegetable oil.
    • Lifeway Kefir Plain Whole Milk- Use this as replacement for buttermilk. Pull the large eggs out 2 hours before baking so it is room temperature. See more below.
    • Hot chocolate mix- I used Swiss Miss. Make sure there are no mini marshmallows.
    • Marshmallows- Use regular size marshmallows.
    • Powdered sugar- Make sure to sift the powdered sugar to avoid a gritty frosting.
    • Eggs- Pull the large eggs out 2 hours before baking so they are room temperature.

    What Is Lifeway Kefir?

    I already have a chocolate marble loaf cake that uses this Kefir.

    Lifeway Kefir is a tangy milk full of live probiotics. It has 12 live and active cultures

    What I love about Kefir is it is the perfect replacement for buttermilk. It acts to add moisture to the cupcakes. The fat and the cultures help to break down the gluten strands.

    It is perfect for baking!

    Step By Step Instructions

    Here is how to make and bake these cupcakes.

    STEP 1: Mix the dry ingredients. Mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.

    STEP 2: Mix the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the oil, eggs, vanilla, and Kefir whole milk. Then, slowly mix in the hot chocolate.

    STEP 3: Mix the wet ingredients with the dry. Pour the wet ingredients in. Then, whisk until just combined.

    Dry ingredients in a glass bowl.
    Wet ingredients added.
    Mixing cake batter in a glass bowl.

    STEP 4: Pour in the cupcake batter. Pour the cupcake batter into the muffin pan with cupcake liners. Fill these ⅔rds full.

    STEP 5: Bake the cupcakes. Bake the cupcakes for 17 minutes. Top with marshmallows and bake for another 2 minutes.

    Cake batter in a cupcake pan.
    Marshmallows on top of cupcakes.

    STEP 6: Hot chocolate frosting. Beat the butter on high speed. Then, add in sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add in the hot chocolate, vanilla, and salt. Mix until smooth.

    Use a piping bag to pipe the frosting on top of the cupcakes.

    Expert Tips

    When you are pressing the marshmallows on top of the cupcakes, lightly press them in. If you press the marshmallow too hard into the top of the cupcake, the cupcake will sink.

    The hot chocolate/heavy cream should resemble a thick hot chocolate. Almost like a thin hot fudge.

    Make sure the hot chocolate for the frosting is cool before adding to the frosting. Otherwise it will melt the butter.

    Cupcakes split open.

    FAQ

    Do I have to make these with hot chocolate mix?

    I strongly recommend you do! Hot cocoa mix really ups the chocolate flavor in the cupcake and in the frosting.

    Can this be made into a layered cake?

    Yes it can! Double the recipe and bake in three 8 inch cake pans.

    Can the cupcakes be made ahead of time?

    Yes! Freeze the baked and cooled cupcakes for 30 days. Thaw for 1 hour before decorating.

    Split in half hot chocolate cupcakes.

    Storing and Freezing

    Store these hot chocolate cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge. Store up to 5 days.

    Freezing

    Freeze these cupcakes in an airtight container. Freeze up to 30 days. Then, thaw for 2 hours before eating.

    Cupcakes on a cake stand.

    Other Cupcake Recipes To Try

    • White chocolate truffle cupcakes with a bite missing on a cake stand.
      White Chocolate Cupcakes
    • Salted caramel cinnamon cupcakes on a wood plate.
      Cinnamon Cupcakes
    • Oreo cupcakes on wood board
      Oreo Cupcakes

    Make sure to leave me a star review below!

    Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. I hope you loved it! To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

    📖 Recipe

    Bite missing from a hot chocolate cupcakes.

    Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

    Stephanie Rutherford
    These hot chocolate cupcakes are moist chocolate cupcakes baked with hot chocolate. It is topped with a gooey marshmallow and hot chocolate frosting.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 19 mins
    Decorating Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 49 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 cupcakes
    Calories 384 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Cupcakes

    • 1 cup All-purpose flour
    • ½ cup Dutch process cocoa powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 1 cup White granulated sugar
    • ⅓ cup Oil canola or vegatable
    • 2 Large eggs room temperature
    • 2 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • ½ cup  Lifeway Kefir Plain Whole Milk room temperature
    • ½ cup Hot water
    • 2 tablespoon Hot chocolate mix without marshmallows
    • 12 Marshmallows

    Hot Chocolate Frosting

    • 1 cup Unsalted butter slightly cold
    • 3 cups Powdered sugar sifted
    • ¼ cup Cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 7 tablespoon Heavy cream
    • ⅓ cup Hot chocolate mix

    Instructions
     

    Cupcakes

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with muffin liners.
    • In a mixing bowl, sift the flour and cocoa powder together. Add in sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together.
      1 cup All-purpose flour, ½ cup Dutch process cocoa powder, ¼ teaspoon Baking soda, 1 teaspoon Baking powder, ½ teaspoon Salt, 1 cup White granulated sugar
    • In a small pan over medium-low heat, heat the water and hot chocolate mix. Heat until hot and steaming.
      ½ cup Hot water, 2 tablespoon Hot chocolate mix
    • In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the Kefir milk, oil, vanilla, and eggs. Very slowly whisk in the hot chocolate. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Whisk until just combined.
      ⅓ cup Oil, 2 Large eggs, ½ cup  Lifeway Kefir Plain Whole Milk, 2 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • Fill the cupcake liners ⅔rds full. Bake for 17 minutes.
    • Open the over, and top the cupcakes with marshmallows. Bake for 2 more minutes. Take out of the oven and flatten the marshmallows down.
      12 Marshmallows
    • Let the cupcakes sit in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Cool completely before decorating.

    Hot Chocolate Frosting

    • Let the butter sit on the counter for 30 minutes to get slightly cold. Sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder together.
      1 cup Unsalted butter, 3 cups Powdered sugar, ¼ cup Cocoa powder
    • In a small pan over medium-low heat, mix the heavy cream and hot chocolate mix. Heat until the sugar melts and thickens slightly. Cool.
      7 tablespoon Heavy cream, ⅓ cup Hot chocolate mix
    • Using a mixer, beat the butter on high for 2 minutes. Slowly add in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add in the salt and vanilla.
      ½ teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • Pour in the hot chocolate and mix on low until just combined. Switch to high and beat on high for 2-3 minutes.
    • Top the cupcakes with the frosting.

    Notes

    Flour- Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the cupcakes.
    High altitude baking- Add an extra tablespoon of flour.
    Pull out dairy ingredients 2 hour before baking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 384kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 3gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 314mgPotassium: 106mgFiber: 2gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 602IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Chocolate cupcakes, easy, hot chocolate, hot chocolate frosting, marshmallow
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Cupcake Recipes

    • Close up of reindeer cupcake.
      Christmas Reindeer Cupcakes
    • Biscoff cupcakes with a bite missing.
      Biscoff Cupcakes
    • A bite missing from s'mores cupcakes on a wooden board.
      S'mores Cupcakes
    • Lemon poppy seed cupcakes split in half.
      Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

    About Stephanie Rutherford

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joanna Teo says

      December 18, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      Hi, may I know if this recipe can be baked in a 6-inch bundt pan please? If not, how can I change the recipe measurements? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Stephanie Rutherford says

        December 20, 2021 at 9:30 am

        Yes you can! Half the recipe and fill the bundt pan 3/4ths full.

        Reply
    2. Lee says

      December 16, 2021 at 5:23 am

      I’d love to make your recipes but unfortunately they don’t come in metric measurement😔

      Reply
      • Stephanie Rutherford says

        December 16, 2021 at 12:35 pm

        I just changed it to include metric. Check it now!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Picture of me.

    Hi New Friends!

    HI! I am Stephanie!

    I am the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer for Stephanie's Sweet Treats. Here you will find all the decadent dessert recipes that anyone can make!

    Learn more about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Moist Triple chocolate cake covered in chocolate drip.
      Moist Triple Chocolate Cake
    • Chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake on a cake stand.
      Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake
    • Brown butter snickerdoodle cookies on parchment paper.
      Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies
    • Oreo chocolate chip cookie with a bite missing.
      Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies

    New Recipes

    • Stack of two strawberry brownies.
      Strawberry Brownies
    • Cheese scones on parchment paper.
      Ham and Cheese Scones
    • Close up of the chocolate rolls.
      Chocolate Rolls
    • Carrot cake cinnamon rolls in a pan.
      Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls

    As Featured In

    Logos for being featured in.
    Web Stories

    Privacy Policy

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Stephanie's Sweet Treats

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Tumblr