HOT CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

i'll admit. i only made these because the picture looked so darn cute. they were really good, but really sweet. the icing is basically sugar, topped with sugar and a cane of sugar on the side. 

and if i am being really honest, only two got eaten. and these don't last long. the candy canes start to sweat and drip on the cupcakes and they look like a hot mess a few days later.

but they are fun to make!

you need:

1 cup flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspon salt

6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk

& for the topping:

2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup solid vegetable shortening

2 tbsp PLUS 2 teaspoons milk

1 1/4 cups mini marshmallows

candy canes (i used about 3, broken into long pieces)

+ heat oven to 350 degrees. line your cupcake pan with liners.

 + in medium-size bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda & salt.

+ in large bowl, with mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar until smooth & creamy.

+ beat in eggs and vanilla until fluffy.

+ on low speed, beat in flour mixture alternately with milk, beginning & ending with flour mixture.

+ fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full.

+ bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until done.

topping:

+ in medium-size bowl, with mixer on low speed, beat powdered sugar, shortening & milk until smooth.

+ spread over cupcakes, top with about 8 or 9 marshmallows and tuck an unwrapped piece of candy cane into each cupcake.

enjoy the sugar high!