My hope is to inspire you to be fearless in the kitchen, to try new things, to take the time to make things the homemade way and most importantly, to have fun doing it!

S’mores Cupcakes

81 comments
posted in: Chocolate, Cupcakes, Dessert
07.10
2012

I’ve been on a very s’mores wavelength lately.  Ever since Andrew’s birthday party, I’ve had s’mores on the brain.  That kicked up s’mores station did a number on me.  I’ve got even more s’mores goodness to share without throughout this month but in the meantime, I thought I would share a revised version of s’mores cupcakes.  I swapped out the cake portion for my favorite chocolate cupcake and altered the quantity of frosting so that you don’t have a gallon left over.  Ha!

This has long been one of the most popular cupcakes on the site and for good reason.  The irresistible graham cracker + chocolate + marshmallow combo is made even better with the cap of pretty torched frosting.  First-timers are always impressed and intrigued by the frosting so if you’re looking for a summer show-stopping dessert, look no further.

S'mores Cupcakes
Yield: about 28 cupcakes

Ingredients

For the graham cracker crust:
1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup sugar
5 1/3 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

For the cake:
½ cup plus 1 tablespoon Dutch-process cocoa powder
½ cup plus 1 tablespoon hot water
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
2 sticks plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 2/3 cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
¾ cup sour cream

For the frosting:
4 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
¼ tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

 

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners. In a small mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter; mix well with a fork. Drop about 1 tablespoon of the graham cracker mixture in the bottom of each cupcake liner and press down to line the bottom. (Note: The bottom of a small cup or bottle works well here.)  Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven, and maintain the oven temperature.

  • In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder and hot water and whisk until smooth.  In another medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, and whisk to blend.  Combine the butter and sugar in a medium saucepan set over medium heat.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is smooth and the butter is completely melted.  Transfer the mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium-low speed until the mixture is cool, about 4-5 minutes.  Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.  Blend in the vanilla and then the cocoa mixture until smooth.  With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients and mixing each addition just until incorporated.

  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared liners, filling each about ¾-full.  Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking.  Let cool in the pan about 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

  • To make the frosting, combine the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in a bowl set over a pan of a few inches of simmering water. (Note: I use my clean, dry mixer bowl right off the bat to avoid dirtying two bowls.) Heat the mixture, whisking frequently, until it reaches 160° F with an instant-read thermometer. Transfer the mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk starting at low speed and gradually increasing to medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form. Mix in the vanilla until combined.  Transfer the frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip (I used Ateco # 829.)  Brown with a kitchen torch and garnish with chocolate and graham cracker segments (optional).

Source

adapted from Trophy Cupcakes and Martha Stewart's Cupcakes

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