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Home » Creative Recipes » Desserts » Cakes » Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Photo of Hot Chocolate Cupcakes topped with crushed candy canes and pink cupcake wrappers.

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

BY: Michele
PUBLISHED: Nov 25, 2020
UPDATED: Aug 5, 2024
1 Review / 5 Average
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Hot Chocolate Cupcakes are filled with marshmallows and topped with a satiny chocolate ganache and topped with a marshmallow and peppermint, or candy cane chips, and a candy cane “straw.”

However, since this chocolate cupcake recipe is so versatile, you can make it not only for Christmas but also for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Birthdays, or any day!

Single Hot Chocolate Cupcake topped with marshmallow and chocolate ganache with cupcakes in the background and green and gold Christmas ornaments on the left side.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you are like my husband and believe dessert isn’t a dessert unless it has chocolate, you’ll love this recipe! Why? Because it includes yummy chocolate cupcakes with a sweet, satiny Chocolate Ganache over marshmallows inside and on top of the cupcakes! If you prefer a more traditional chocolate frosting, here is an Easy Chocolate Frosting Recipe. It is one of his favorite Dessert Recipes!

Plus these delightful cupcakes are downright fun! You can decorate them for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Birthdays, Picnics, or any day of the year!  Be sure to check out our ideas for variations of this recipe below.

Why This Recipe Works

It is a tried and true recipe that includes not only step-by-step instructions but step-by-step photos as well as additional recipe tips, to help ensure your success whenever making this recipe.

single cupcake with bite taken out of it and shows marshmallow on the inside with more cupcakes in the background and surrounded by red, green, and gold Christmas ornaments on the left side.

How To Make Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Equipment

The affiliate links below will allow you to see the product on Amazon.com. If you choose to purchase one of the items, I will receive a very small commission on the product and does not increase the price.

  • Mixing Bowl Set from Amazon.com – A basic necessity when cooking or baking.
  • Hand Mixer – For a compact, convenient mixer from Amazon.com that you can bring out when you need it and store it away when you don’t.
  • KitchenAid Stand Mixer – from Amazon.com. The classic KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a requirement for experienced bakers and new bakers alike. I use mine all the time.
  • Whisk from Amazon.com – A whisk is a necessary tool for use in making many recipes.
  • Saucepan from Amazon.com – This is a necessity for every cook’s kitchen.
  • Measuring Cups from Amazon.com – Be sure to use the measuring cups designed for liquids only and not for dry ingredients for the most accurate measurement.
  • Measuring Spoons from Amazon.com – I keep several sets of measuring spoons on hand so I have them when I need them and they are not in the dishwasher.

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes Ingredients

Below I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions in case you don’t have a specific ingredient on hand. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

  • Chocolate Devil’s Food Cake Mix
  • Chocolate Instant Pudding
  • Eggs
  • Water
  • Canola oil
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Large marshmallows
  • Peppermint crunch sprinkles or holiday sprinkles
  • Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (for garnishing)
  • Candy Cane Straws
Overhead view of Ingredients for Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Hot Chocolate Ganache Frosting Ingredients

Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

  • Powdered sugar
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Water
  • Pure vanilla extract

Overhead view of additional ingredients for Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Directions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, instant pudding, eggs, water, and canola oil together with a stand or hand mixer.
  • Add in chocolate chips and mix well. 
Photo collage showing each step for how to make Hot Chocolate Cupcakes.
  • Using a 3 tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon, fill cupcake liners about 3/4 of the way full with the chocolate batter. 
  • Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the cupcakes from the oven and put a large marshmallow in the center of each cupcake and twist a little to push them into the cupcake. 
  • Put the cupcakes back into the oven for 2 minutes to let the marshmallows melt.
  • Remove the cupcakes from the oven and press the marshmallow down (this will help the marshmallow melt on the inside of the cupcake and fill in the extra space around the cupcake).
  • Let cool for 10 minutes in the cupcake pan before transferring to a cooling rack. 
Step by Step Photo Collage of the rest of the steps for hot to make Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

How To Make Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Directions:

  • While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting by combining the powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, water, and vanilla extract and mix until smooth. 
Step By Step Photos How To Make Chocolate Ganache for Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

How To Decorate Cupcakes With Marshmallows and Chocolate Ganache

  • Fill the marshmallow indention with mini chocolate chips and then cover the chocolate chips with frosting. 
  • Cut large marshmallows in half and put half of a marshmallow on each cupcake and drizzle with frosting. 
Photo collage of assembly of Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
  • Garnish with Peppermint Crunch or Holiday Sprinkles. 
  • Cut holiday straws in thirds and insert them into the cupcakes. 
  • Let cupcakes cool completely and enjoy!
4-Photo Photo Collage of final steps to make Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

How To Customize Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

  • Birthday Hot Chocolate Cupcakes – Use multi-colored sprinkles for the topping
  • Summer Smore’s Chocolate Cupcakes – Top With crumbled graham crackers instead of peppermint sprinkles
  • Valentine’s Day – Top the cupcakes with chocolate hearts, sweet tarts, or pink sprinkles!
Photo of Hot Chocolate Cupcakes topped with crushed candy canes and pink cupcake wrappers.

More Recipes You’ll Love

  • German Chocolate Cookie Cups
  • Bailey’s Irish Cream Cupcakes
  • Butterfinger German Chocolate Cupcakes
  • Bananas Foster Upside Down Cupcakes
  • Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
  • Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake

If you like this recipe or make this recipe,  be sure to leave a comment, rate the recipe, and follow us on:

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Recipe

Photo of Hot Chocolate Cupcakes topped with crushed candy canes and pink cupcake wrappers.
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5 from 1 vote

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes are filled with marshmallow and topped with a satiny chocolate ganache and topped with a marshmallow and peppermint, or candy cane chips, and a candy cane "straw."
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword chocolate cupcakes, cupcakes, Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 32 minutes minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 52 minutes minutes
Servings 22
Calories 196kcal
Author Michele

Ingredients

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box Chocolate Devil's Food Cake Mix
  • 1 (3.9-ounce) box Chocolate Instant Pudding mix
  • 4 eggs
  • 1.25 cup water
  • 1 (12-ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 (12-ounce) bag package large marshmallows
  • 1/4 cup candy cane crunch sprinkles (crushed candy cane pieces)
  • Candy Cane Striped Straws

Chocolate Ganache (Icing)

  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla
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Instructions 

Chocolate Cupcake Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, instant pudding, eggs, water, and canola oil together with a stand or hand mixer. 
  • Add in chocolate chips and mix well. 
  • Using a 3 tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon, fill cupcake liners about 3/4 of the way full with the chocolate batter. 
  • Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the cupcakes from the oven and put a large marshmallow in the center of each cupcake and twist a little to push them into the cupcake.
  • Put the cupcakes back into the oven for 2 minutes to let the marshmallows melt.
  • Remove the cupcakes from the oven and press the marshmallow down (this will help the marshmallow melt on the inside of the cupcake and fill in the extra space around the cupcake).
  • Let cool for 10 minutes in the cupcake pan before transferring to a cooling rack.

Chocolate Ganache Frosting

  • While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting by combining the powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, water, and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
  • Fill the marshmallow indention with mini chocolate chips and then cover the chocolate chips with frosting. 
  • Cut large marshmallows in half and put half of a marshmallow on each cupcake and drizzle with frosting. 
  • Garnish with Peppermint Crunch or Holiday Sprinkles. 
  • Cut holiday straws in thirds and insert them into the cupcakes. 
  • Let cupcakes cool completely and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 317mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Cakes, Chocolate, Christmas, Valentine's Day Recipes Tagged With: cupcakes

DISCLOSURE: Flavor Mosaic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Please note: This blog may contain affiliate links to products I use and love. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, to help with blog expenses when you make a purchase through an affiliate link. Thank you for your support!

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Michele F - Owner / Founder / Creator / Blogger at Flavor Mosaic
Michele

Hi, I’m Michele Feuerborn, wife, and dog Mom, with 20+ years experience as a home cook. I’m the Founder of Flavor Mosaic, as well as the author and content creator. I share fast, easy, flavorful recipes with bold flavors, featuring Instant Pot and Air Fryer recipes and Italian, Southern and Mexican cuisines.  Contact: [email protected].

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Michele F - Owner / Founder / Creator / Blogger at Flavor Mosaic

Hi, I’m Michele, a home cook with 20+ years experience. I created Flavor Mosaic as a place to share our favorite fast, easy, and flavorful creative recipes with bold flavors, including Southern, Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Instant Pot recipes.
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