Fancy S’more Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting

I am calling these cupcakes fancy s’mores. I have been wanting to make them for over a year and needed an excuse! When my family was invited to a party through my husband’s job over the weekend and everyone was asked to bring an appetizer or dessert, I knew exactly what to make…. finally the perfect opportunity. 🙂

These are chocolate cupcakes with a graham cracker crust (which has melted dark chocolate on top) and toasted “marshmallow” icing. The meringue “marshmallow” icing is incredible. It looks beautiful too, especially after it has been toasted. The graham cracker and chocolate crust gives the cake a surprising crunch; graham cracker crumbs and chocolate are sprinkled over the top as well. Pretty amazing. They were a big hit. This recipe was adapted from Jennifer Shea, owner of Trophy Cupcakes, via Martha Stewart Television. It is important to heat the meringue icing until it is warm and the sugar is completely dissolved in order to prevent it from breaking down after it is whipped.

Yield: 16 cupcakes with extra frosting

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 6 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)
• 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (from about 10 squares)
• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 4 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (I used 72% cacao dark chocolate)

For the Frosting:

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 standard muffin tins with 16 cupcake liners; set aside.
2. Sift 1 cups plus 1 tablespoons sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix ingredients together on low speed.
3. In a large bowl, mix together eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl and continue mixing on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add boiling water and stir to combine; set cake batter aside.
4. Put graham cracker crumbs, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl; stir until well combined.
5. Place 1 tablespoon graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each prepared muffin cup. Use the bottom of a small glass to pack crumbs into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Reserve remaining graham cracker mixture for topping.
6. Place 2 teaspoons chocolate in each muffin cup. Transfer muffin tins to oven and bake until the edges of the graham cracker mixture is golden, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and fill each muffin cup three-quarters full with cake batter. Sprinkle each with remaining chocolate and graham cracker mixture. Return to oven and bake, rotating pans halfway through baking, until tops are firm and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer muffin tins to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and let cool completely.
7. Make Frosting: Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer. Set over a saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, 3 to 5 minutes.
8. Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix until combined. Use immediately.
9. Transfer frosting to a large pastry bag fitted with a large plain round or French tip (such as Ateco #867 or Ateco #809). Pipe frosting in a spiral motion on each cupcake. Transfer cupcakes to a baking sheet. Using a kitchen torch, lightly brown the frosting, taking care not to burn the cupcake liners. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container, up to 2 days.

About Josette@thebrookcook

I live in Stony Brook, New York on Long Island. I love garlic and baking. My hobby (and love) is to try new recipes. My favorite recipe resources include The New York Times, Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, and Martha Stewart Living. Enjoy!

View all posts by Josette@thebrookcook →