Hot Cocoa Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting
Hot cocoa cupcakes are topped with marshmallow frosting and spiked with peppermint schnapps. They’re the perfect cold weather treat!
It’s finally here. Christmas time—my absolute favorite time of year. As you many of you know, this time last year I challenged myself to 25 days of baking. What a feat! I don’t think I can commit to quite a challenge this year, but I promise I will still be delivering some festive recipes. First up is my next cocktail cupcake creation: hot cocoa cupcakes spiked with peppermint schnapps.
Why you should try this recipe: The cupcakes are made with cocoa powder for ultimate cocoa flavor. They are also spiked with peppermint schnapps, but if you don’t want alcohol in your cupcakes you can substitute with water. There’s also a silky smooth and light marshmallow frosting topping these cupcakes.
Overview: How to make hot cocoa cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.
- Whisk together dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Add wet ingredients: eggs (one at a time), milk, oil and vanilla. Mix until combined, then add hot water and peppermint schnapps. Mix until combined.
- Bake cupcakes: Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake at 350 F for 16 to 18 minutes. Cool completely.
- Make frosting: Beat the butter, marshmallow creme, vanilla and salt together (a whisk attachment is best to keep the frosting fluffy). Add the confectioners’ sugar and mix until combined. Add milk if you need a thinner consistency.
- Assemble cupcakes: Transfer frosting to a piping bag and frost cupcakes. Top with mini mashmallows and a dusting of cocoa powder if desired.
Have leftover marshmallow frosting or want to make it again? Try my sweet potato cupcakes for Thanksgiving!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cupcakes without alcohol? Yes. Leave the peppermint schnapps out and increase hot water to 1/2 cup.
Can I use hot cocoa mix in this recipe? No. Hot cocoa mix has added sugar in it. By using unsweetened cocoa powder you will achieve a more cocoa-y flavor in these cupcakes.
How to store cocoa cupcakes: Place cupcakes in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cupcakes may also be kept at room temperature, but the frosting will lose its shape.
Can you freeze cocoa cupcakes? Yes (unfrosted). Wrap the cupcakes individually to prevent freezer burn. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Defrost in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature and frosting.
More cocoa recipes
Looking for more way to incorporate cocoa into your baking? Then you have to try my hot cocoa cookies. Each cookie is topped with a big gooey marshmallow! Another easy recipe to try are my hot chocolate brownies. Mini marshmallows are sprinkled in the batter and on top!
You can also make hot cocoa from scratch using only three ingredients! Either make the cozy drink on the stovetop or the microwave. Another easy way to make hot cocoa is with these hot chocolate bombs you just drop in warm milk!
Hot cocoa cupcakes are just what you need on a cold winter day. I love baking these for holiday parties or for aprés ski with friends. What occasion will you being making hot cocoa cupcakes for? Let me see by tagging @ifyougiveablondeakitchen on social media!
Get the Recipe: Hot Cocoa Cupcakes
Ingredients
Hot Cocoa Cupcakes
- 1 ¾ cup (218 g) all purpose flour
- ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cup (300 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ⅓ cup (84 g) vegetable oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (120 ml) low fat or whole milk, room temperature
- ¼ cup (60 ml) hot water
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Peppermint Schnapps*, (see notes for nonalcoholic version)
Whipped cream frosting
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 7 ounces (1 jar) marshmallow creme
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (300 g) confectioner's sugar
- 1-3 teaspoons milk (if necessary)
- ½ cup mini marshmallows for garnishing (optional)
Instructions
Hot Cocoa Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350° F 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 on medium speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl if necessary. Turn mixer on low and slowly add hot water and Schnapps until incorporated. The batter will be very liquidy.
- For ease of pouring, transfer batter to a large measuring cup and pour batter into baking cups about 2/3 full. Bake at 350° F for 16 to 18 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Marshmallow Frosting
- In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the butter, marshmallow creme and vanilla. Mix until creamy, about 1 minute. Add one cup of confectioners' sugar and mix until combined. Add remaining one cup of confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth and creamy. Taste, if you like a sweeter frosting, add more sugar. If it's too sweet, add a pinch of salt. Then add milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached (I used 1 teaspoon).
- Transfer frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a tip. Frost cupcakes and garnish with mini marshmallows and dusting of cocoa powder (optional).
22 Comments on “Hot Cocoa Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting”
Drinkable cupcakes! And they’re gorgeous, too! Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Merry Christmas!
Just looking at these gorgeous photos is making my mouth water! I love the marshmallow filling tucked inside. I’m glad I’m not the only one who started Christmas baking immediately after Thanksgiving – Friday morning I was in the kitchen baking cookies with Christmas music playing in the background!
Thank you! The marshmallow filling was quite delicious. Any baking addict was surely in the kitchen with Christmas music on last weekend. Glad to hear you are in the same boat!
They look SO gorgeous! <3
Thank you!
Oh they look delicious! I love the kick of peppermint in there.
The kick that everyone needs 🙂 thanks!
What kind of cocoa do you use? I have store brand unsweetened cocoa that I typically use. Is this okay or do you use something else?
I used the same thing so that will work great
Oh my gosh where have these been my whole life!
These hot cocoa cupcakes would disappear in our house!
These sound totally delish and thanks for the non-alcoholic recommendation, too!
These cupcakes are so mouthwatering! I want a dozen of them!
Everyone at my house enjoyed this! will definitely make it again!
These are so perfect!
These were really good!! Everyone at my house couldn’t stop eating these!
Can I substitute the schnapps in the frosting?
Hi Heather – Adding schnapps to the frosting may work in place of the milk, but I haven’t tried it. You can also brush the tops of the cupcakes with schnapps if you want more alcoholic flavor in the cupcakes.
Question: Can you put some Peppermint Schnapps in the frosting?
Hi in the formula for the frosting you have listed 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar but In the instructions you have 1 cup of powdered does it matter which we use? Also for the frosting you have mix in salt but you do not have salt in the formula is it just a pinch? Thanks so much
Hi Geri! Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I updated the recipe so it is more clear.