Chocolate Cupcakes with Marshmallow Filling

What makes a chocolate cupcake even better? Filling! These cupcakes are tender and very chocolate-y and the vanilla marshmallow filling helps even out the flavor!

Adding coffee and espresso to chocolate baked goods enhances chocolate flavor and makes it more rich too.  Trust me, you won’t taste the coffee!  I made these cupcakes in the late afternoon and still had some coffee in my coffee pot that I used!

I’m going to keep this blog post short & sweet (literally), but I highly recommend making these cupcakes for either yourself or a crowd!

 

Chocolate Cupcakes with Marshmallow Filling

The Cupcakes (yield:18)

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons espresso powder
• 3/4 cup coffee

1. Preheat oven to 375 and line with muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda & salt.
3. Add butter, eggs and vanilla.  Dissolve the espresso powder in the coffee and add to flour.  Mix until combined.
4. Fill muffins 3/4 full (these cupcakes rise ALOT).
5. Bake cupcakes for 17-19 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and let cool while you make the filling and frosting.

Marshmallow Filling

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine sugar and egg whites.  Place bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir continuously until mixture reaches 160 degrees.
2. Place bowl on the mixer, add cream of tartar.  With the whisk attachment mix filling until cooled and mixture is Fluff texture (not stiff peaks, more soft).
3. Add vanilla and set aside.

Chocolate Frosting

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 7 oz semi-sweet chocolate (reserve 1 oz)

1. In a double boiler, heat chocolate until melted and set aside.
2. In a mixer combine powdered sugar and butter, beat until combined.
3. Add vanilla and cream.
4. Pour in 6 ounces melted chocolate and beat until combined.
5. Assemble cupcakes, remove a peice of cake from the center and pipe some marshmallow filling in.  Top the cupcake with the chocolate frosting.  Drizzle the remaining melted chocolate over the frosting and serve!