These Hot Chocolate Cupcakes feature an easy chocolate cupcake recipe topped with whipped hot cocoa swirled together with whipped cream. They’re full of flavor, chocolatey, and so cute with the swirled frosting.
The Hot Chocolate Cupcakes are a delicious way to enjoy the winter season when you need to warm up from the cold weather outside. They are not only tasty but also easy to make. Add mini marshmallows to decorate them if desired, and you have the perfect cupcake.
Why you’ll love these Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
- A moist chocolate cupcake recipe, easy to make in one bowl.
- A swirled frosting which creates a wow effect, and it’s easier than it might think.
- One of the favorite drinks turns into a cupcake form.
- These hot cocoa cupcakes are a perfect winter treat and holiday cupcakes but also for anytime of the year for chocolate lovers.
Ingredient Notes
The Hot Chocolate Cupcakes don’t require special ingredients.
The chocolate cupcakes are made with all-purpose flour, Dutch process cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, caster sugar (or granulated sugar), salt, large eggs, milk, water, and vegetable oil.
The swirled frosting is made with whipped hot cocoa and whipped cream: heavy cream (full fat), mascarpone cheese (full fat), hot cocoa mix, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
Note: Make sure to use Dutch-process cocoa powder (also called baking cocoa) for the cupcakes and Hot Cocoa Mix for the whipped hot cocoa frosting.
Mini Marshmallows for decoration if desired.
How to make these Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
Easy chocolate cupcake recipe: in one large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Then, add the wet ingredients. Mix both. Divide the batter into the muffin cases and bake.
Whipped Hot Cocoa Cream: Add all the ingredients to your bowl. With an electric mixer, beat at low speed until everything is combined. Then, increase the speed slightly and whip until stiff peaks form.
Whipped Cream: repeat the process with the vanilla whipped cream.
Once the cupcakes are baked and cooled, pipe the frosting and decorate.
Full instructions are at the bottom of the page. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Tips
Chocolate Cupcakes:
- Ingredients at room temperature to prepare the cupcakes.
- Don’t over-mix the cupcake batter.
- Ensure the cupcakes are completely cooled before processing to the assembly.
- Use an aluminum cake tin for best results.
Whipped Hot Cocoa and Whipped Cream:
- Ensure the heavy cream is chilled. Use a spoon to soften the mascarpone cheese.
- Start to whip at low speed until everything is combined, then increase the speed slightly.
- To create this beautiful, swirled frosting, use 3 piping bags:
#step 1: Transfer the whipped hot cocoa to a piping bag.
#step 2: Transfer the whipped cream to another piping bag.
#step 3: Cut the ends of both piping bags. Then, add these both piping bags to a third piping bag fitted with a closed star tip and pipe the hot chocolate cupcakes.
FAQs
How to store the Hot Chocolate Cupcakes?
Store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
Can I make ahead of time these cupcakes?
You can prepare the cupcakes, without the frosting, 2 days in advance. Then, store them in an airtight container.
Can we freeze the cupcakes?
The cupcakes themselves, without the frosting, freeze very well. Wrap with plastic wrap, and place in an airtight container. Freeze for up to a month.
Try these recipes, next:
If you tried these Hot Chocolate Cupcakes or any recipe on the blog, let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment below.
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12 Comments
Marta
January 9, 2023 at 1:35 pm
These hot chocolate cupcakes really delivered on their name. They taste like you’re eating a mug of hot cocoa. My entire family loved them and I will definitely be making them again.
Pam
January 9, 2023 at 6:20 pm
One bowl cupcakes with a delicious swirled frosting – these are amazing! My new favorite cupcake recipe!
Kathryn
January 10, 2023 at 2:58 pm
These are so fun, pretty, delicious! I love how they have all the same flavors as hot chocolate and the frosting on top is my favorite!
Bernice
January 10, 2023 at 3:04 pm
I’m such a chocolate freak that I had to bake these as soon as I saw your post. I had them with my special extra creamy hot chocolate and it was all such a treat! Thanks for the great recipe.
Lauren
January 11, 2023 at 9:55 am
These hot chocolate cupcakes were so fun to make and tasted so good. The kids and I both loved them!
Linda
January 13, 2023 at 4:02 pm
OK, I am totally jealous of how beautiful your frosting turned out. My piping technique leaves a lot to be desired but it made no difference to how everyone felt about these cupcakes. They were the most popular dessert of the evening.
Veronika
January 14, 2023 at 2:50 pm
These are my new favorite cupcakes! I made them yesterday and they are so delicious! Definitely going to make them again soon 😉
Natalia
January 14, 2023 at 2:58 pm
These hot chocolate cupcakes were so delicious!! Thank you for the easy instructions. We loved them and they were no leftovers. I will make them again!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
January 15, 2023 at 4:48 pm
Oh my goodness do these look incredible! So luscious, creamy, and perfect any day of the week! The whipped hot cocoa is EVERYTHING!
Jenny
January 16, 2023 at 5:48 am
These cupcakes are the most decadent! I am a newbie and don’t bake often. Found your recipe and could not resist. I followed your detailed instructions and managed to pull them off! The cupcakes look amazing (mine is a little less tidy but still!) and taste really good! Thanks so much for this!
monika
January 27, 2023 at 10:14 am
would regular cream cheese work in the frosting? i cannot afford mascarpone!
Helene
January 28, 2023 at 6:03 am
Yes, as long as it’s full-fat cream cheese, it should work. The taste will be different, but not by much. Cream cheese has a slightly bitter taste compared to mascarpone cheese. Add some powdered sugar to balance the flavor out.