TUTORIAL: S'Mores Cupcakes

Anytime I am around a campfire, I can't resist one of these...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smore

 But, living on the 2nd floor of my apartment building, I don't get much bonfire action. I decided to try and make a delicous cupcake version over the weekend. I was inspired by Bakerella's recent post about her cookies and cream cupcakes. yum. I am usually one to spend more time in the decorations than the flavor, so I was excited to try something a little bit different.

First, I made a box of Betty Crocker's Triple Chocolate Fudge cupcakes. I followed the directions on the box (I love homemade food - but sometimes a box mix is really good too).


Next, I got my cupcake liners ready. I used these really cute dark brown liners with small white dots that I bought last weekend. Love them!



I filled each cupcake liner about 1/2 way full with the cupcake batter. Then, I added some crushed graham crackers on top. You know how a large graham cracker is split into 4 rectangles? I used 3/4 of one rectangle, and saved the other 1/4 for the very end (as a garnish).

(on the right side - just showing about how much graham cracker I saved for the very end)

After that, I put enough cupcake batter on top of the graham cracker to mostly cover it.

When they came out of the oven, they looked like this...

The more you cover the graham crackers with cupcake batter, the less they will come to the surface.
Either way is delicious!

Next, I melted milk chocolate frosting, and I dipped the top of the cupcake. You can read my tutorial by clicking here:

I took one graham cracker rectangle and coarsley squished about 1/2 of it on top of the melted frosting (before it cooled). (I am still saving that little 1/4 piece for the very end.)

Next, I made this Marshmallow Frosting Recipe. There is enough here for 24 cupcakes - possibly 48!

Cream 2 cups of butter.

Add 2 cups of sugar, a 1/2 C at a time until creamy (I added an additional 1/2 C).

It will look like this when all of the powdered sugar is mixed in. Then mix in 1/2 t vanilla.

Next, add 16 oz. of marshmallow cream and mix.

...and mix...

It will look like this when it is all ready.





Now, add a dollop of the marshmallow frosting on top.

Garnish with that 1/4 piece of graham cracker you saved from earlier and a small piece of a chocolate bar.

And, enjoy! Mmmm....

Happy Baking!

-K

I Heart Nap Time

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TUTORIAL: Melting Frosting

One of my newest, most favorite techniques for decorating cupcakes is dipping the top of a cupcake in melted frosting.

Have you seen this book?

From: http://www.hellocupcakebook.com/

It is FULL of creative ways to decorate cupcakes in simple ways. They only use store bought frosting, and I am going to show you the step-by-step pictures of how to melt frosting (a very important piece of the book).

Why melt frosting? It gives the frosting a smooth look that can not be done with a spatula.
I have used this technique in these projects:

S'Mores Cupcakes (under the marshmallow frosting)

Microphone Cupcakes (on the microphone)

Duck Cupcakes

 First, choose your frosting (I am using milk chocolate).

Next, melt it in the microwave (in a microwave-safe bowl) . It takes somewhere between 30 - 45 seconds to melt a whole container worth. I usually put it in for about 20 seconds, stir, and then heat it in 5 second increments until it is completely melted. You know it is melted when it drips smoothly off a spoon.

Next, get your cupcake. Dip the cupcake upside down in your container of frosting (I like to dip it straight from the frosting container because it is tall and the perfect width).

Pull up your cupcake. Allow the excess frosting to drip off.

Roll your wrist as you flip the cupcake right-side up. Make sure there are no drips.

Allow the frosting to harden in the open air of your kitchen :). If you have a topping you want to add (like graham crackers or sprinkles), it is good to sprinkle them on before the frosting hardens so they really stick on.

Hint: It is easiest to use a cupcake liner that is similar in color to the frosting. Then, you won't notice as easily if your frosting goes over top of your lining.

Enjoy baking!
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