S'More Cupcakes

Do I actually need to say anything?

These are cool because you can make them in a number of different ways whether you use a mix or not.

What you need:
Graham crackers (I used a box of pre-crushed crumbs)
Butter
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate cake mix
Eggs
Water
Oil
Mini marshmallows

Make a batch of the cake mix. Seriously, I never make a whole box - that's way too many for just 2 of us - so I usually make about 1/3. In a separate bowl, blend graham crackers with melted butter (about 1 tsp per 5 crackers) which will help hold it together. Carefully melt about 1/4 bar of chocolate (nuke it for 20 seconds then stir it until it's smooth).

Put cupcake papers into a tin. Distribute about 1-2 tsp of graham mix in the bottom, then drizzle a small spoon of melted chocolate over it - this will help hold it together. Pour cake batter in until cups are 2/3 full. Bake as normal but just slightly less (2 minutes) than recommended. Remove from oven and switch oven to broiler. Place 3-4 mini marshmallows on top and place under broil until they start to turn golden. When you pop them out, drop 1-2 squares of dark chocolate on the side.

Enjoy!

Chocolate-Coconut Marshmallows

Quite possibly the messiest treat you will ever make but oh so good! Perfect for hot chocolate, s'mores (coming shortly) and more

Ingredients:
3 Tbs unflavored gelatin
1 C powdered sugar
1 1/4 C cold water, divided (1/2 C and 3/4 C)
3 C granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 large egg whites
1 vanilla bean, scraped or 1 Tbs vanilla extract
1 Tbs dark cocoa powder
Shredded coconut

Grease the bottom and sides of a square-edge 9x13 rectangular pan with butter and dust the sides and bottom generously with powdered sugar. Set aside.

Pour 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of a standing mixer - make sure it is very large, the recipe will literally triple in size. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let stand to soften.

In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, salt, and 3/4 cup cold water. Over low heat, stir occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sugar is fully dissolved. Increase heat to medium and boil the mixture until a thermometer registers 240°F (11-12 minutes). Remove from the heat and pour over the gelatin, stirring until the gelatin has dissolved.

Beat this mixture on high speed until thick, white and almost tripled in volume (at least 6 minutes). You need to use a good mixer because by this time it will be very thick. Grease another mixing bowl and then transfer the sticky white mixture to the greased bowl. Clean the beaters and used bowl, wipe dry, and then whip two egg whites until they hold stiff peaks. Add the vanilla, cocoa powder and then the fluffed sugar mix into the egg whites.

Beat the egg whites into the sugar mixture, just until combined. Scoop this mixture into the greased and powdered baking pan and spread it out to fill the pan. Cover with wrap and chill a minimum of 3 hours.

Run a knife around the edges of the pan and then invert the pan over a large cutting board. With a large sharp knife or a pizza cutter, trim the edges of the marshmallows and then cut the marshmallows into approximately 1" cubes.

Put the coconut and 1 Tbsp of powdered sugar into a bowl and toss the cubes in the mix until generously coated. Serve with...whatever!

Image by MadeForJen

Sprinkles Cupcakes

No, of course I didn't make this (I bought it) but I couldn't resist the photo. S'more cupcake by Sprinkles - graham cracker base, chocolate cake, toasted marshmallow top - perfect.


Image by Janis Nicolay