Chocolate Cupcakes with Hot Chocolate Frosting

  Mother Nature remains silent on the subject of snow. I am sure she will punish us with some worst-in-a-century snow storm. Or perhaps she heard me complaining about the heat in the middle of June last year? Being 9 months pregnant kind of gives you that right, no?

  Aaaanyways, our calendar still shows it's Winter, so I will enjoy Winter-y treats.

  Like hot chocolate.

  In a frosting.

  On a cupcake.

  Because that's how I roll. :)

  And because last January, I was on no-sugar no-sweets no-baking diet and now I am not. Revenge? It's sweeeeeet. :)

Chocolate Cupcakes                                          
adapted from Better Homes and Gardens Bridal Edition Cookbook

3 eggs, room temperature
2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c shortening
1 3/4 c granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 c cold water

Line your cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients ( flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt ).
Place shortening in a large mixing bowl and beat for 30 seconds. Add sugar and vanilla and beat until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time and beat well after each addition.
Add flour mixture alternating with water. Beat until just combined.
Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake 18 - 20 minutes, until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool cupcakes in the pan for few minutes, then transfer onto a cooling rack.
Cool completely before frosting.

Makes 2 dozen cupcakes.

Hot Chocolate Frosting              

8 oz cream cheese, cold
1/2 c ( 1 stick ) butter, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/2 -4 c powdered sugar
1 packet ( 1.25 oz ) hot chocolate mix ( I used Dark Chocolate Sensation by Swiss Miss )

Place butter in a large mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for 20 - 30 seconds.
Add cold cream cheese and vanilla extract and beat until light and creamy.
Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Beat well. Add the hot chocolate mix and beat until well incorporated.
You can refrigerate it to stiffen it up a little or frost the cupcakes right away, and then refrigerate.
I used Wilton's 1M tip to frost the cupcakes.

What are your favorite Winter-y treats?
What were you doing last January? 

Enjoy!



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