It’s cold outside and these cocoa cupcakes are a fun way to stay cozy and cute inside. They are reminiscent of hot chocolate but presented as a sweet little cake with cocoa frosting and the tiniest marshmallow bits to top them off and tie the whole look together.
The best part is these cupcakes are super easy to pull together and you can mix all the ingredients for the cupcakes in one bowl. I always love that.
For the buttercream frosting, I added warm milk and a bit of hot chocolate mix to make them creamy and cocoa colored.
Oh… and delicious, too!
Sprinkle the tops with tiny marshmallow bits (smaller than mini marshmallows) and just a little bit of the hot chocolate mix granules for full “not-so-hot” cocoa effect.
Cocoa Cupcakes
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes
- 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa
- 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup hot water
Cocoa Frosting
- 1/3 cup hot chocolate mix granules
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 3 sticks butter, room temperature
- 4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Marshmallow Bits
Instructions
- For the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line cupcake tray with baking cups.
- Mix flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of your stand mixer until all of the dry ingredients are combined.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing in between. Add milk, oil and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Turn mixer on low and slowly add hot water until incorporated. The batter will be very liquid.
- For ease of pouring, transfer batter to a large measuring cup and pour batter into baking cups about 2/3 full.
- Bake for about 16-18 minutes or until done. Remove and let cool.
- For the frosting: heat milk and hot chocolate mix in the microwave together for about 20 seconds. (Don’t let it boil over.) Stir and set aside to cool some.
- In a stand mixer, beat butter until creamy and smooth. Then add confectioners' sugar one cup at a time, mixing completely between each addition. Add vanilla.
- With the mixer on low, slowly add the liquid hot chocolate mixture and mix until completely combined. Then beat for about 3 minutes. (Note: You can adjust the thickness of the frosting by adding more confectioners' sugar or less of the hot chocolate mixture.)
- Frost cupcakes and then sprinkle cupcake tops with marshmallow bits and a bit of dry hot chocolate mix granules.
Notes
Marshmallow bits are smaller than miniature marshmallows. See examples here.
You can also use miniature marshmallows - they will just be much larger in proportion to the cupcakes.
This recipe was originally made for People.com.
Here are some links to a bunch more of my recipes on their site.
Enjoy each and every cozy bite!
Cocoa cupcakes are small, individual cakes made using cocoa powder to give them a rich chocolate flavor. They’re a simpler alternative to cupcakes made with melted chocolate, but still taste deliciously chocolaty .I love its very much
The way you described these cocoa cupcakes as being “reminiscent of hot chocolate” really captured my attention. It’s such a clever concept for a cold day! I can almost taste the rich cocoa and imagine how cozy it would feel to have one. I particularly love the idea of adding those tiny marshmallow bits; it perfects the hot chocolate illusion and adds such a cute visual element. It makes me want to bake a batch right now, even though it’s not quite cold enough here to warrant them yet!
The idea of these cocoa cupcakes really hits home when it’s freezing outside. I love how you’ve captured the essence of hot chocolate in a portable, cake form. Those tiny marshmallow bits on top are such a clever touch that really completes the hot chocolate theme. It reminds me of those cozy evenings spent bundled up, and now I can have that experience in dessert form! It’s a great way to bring a little bit of warmth and fun indoors.
The way you described these as “reminiscent of hot chocolate” really struck a chord. I’ve always loved the idea of a warm drink on a cold day, and turning that into a cupcake is genius! It makes me think of those childhood days when a hot cocoa after playing in the snow was the ultimate treat. Plus, those little marshmallow bits are such a perfect visual cue – you’ve totally nailed the cozy vibe with these. I can almost taste the rich cocoa just looking at them.
The idea of these cocoa cupcakes really hits home when it’s freezing outside. I love how you’ve captured the essence of hot chocolate in a portable, cake form. Those tiny marshmallow bits on top are such a clever touch, really tying the whole hot chocolate theme together! It reminds me of those chilly evenings when only a warm mug of cocoa will do, but a cupcake is definitely a more festive way to enjoy that flavor. I can almost taste the rich cocoa just looking at the picture!
The image of these cocoa cupcakes really makes me want to curl up with one! I love the idea of translating the cozy feeling of hot chocolate into a baked good, especially with those adorable tiny marshmallow bits. It’s such a clever touch that instantly brings the hot chocolate theme to life. It reminds me of the little marshmallows you get in a packet of gourmet hot cocoa mix. I’m curious, do you have a specific recipe you’re sharing for these, or is this more of an aesthetic inspiration? Either way, they’re incredibly charming.
The idea of these cocoa cupcakes really hits home when it’s freezing outside. I love how you’ve captured the essence of hot chocolate in a portable, cake form. Those tiny marshmallow bits on top are such a clever touch – it really does tie the whole theme together and makes them look extra special. It makes me think of how certain classic flavors, like hot chocolate, can be reinterpreted in different ways, almost like finding the deeper meaning behind a symbol. I can imagine these being a perfect little pick-me-up on a dreary winter day.
Made these for my kids and they disappeared so fast! Such a fun and adorable treat. Love the cocoa frosting and tiny marshmallow bits on top!
Such a cute little idea, fab for keeping cosy in these cold winter months!
Is 3 sticks of butter correct in the frosting? Seems like a lot….. ;)
How many servings does this make?
Love them!! I did the same thing for Christmas, and used the little “bits” too!! I love those things.
I cut up cute paper straws and had them coming out of the cupcake ??
Yum! Send me a bowl of that frosting…
Why do your desserts always look so yummy?