Description
Delight in these adorable Penguin Cupcakes, featuring a rich chocolate cupcake base topped with creamy chocolate and vanilla buttercream frosting. Perfect for any festive occasion!
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcake Batter: 1/3 cup chocolate chips – milk or dark
1/3 cup black cocoa powder
3/4 cup hot water
1 1/2 tsp instant espresso or coffee
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp fine salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
2 large eggs
room temperature
1 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. Chocolate and Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp fine salt
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
room temperature
1/2 cups melted dark chocolate
cooled
1/2 cup unsweetened or dark cocoa powder
black
orange
and pink gel food coloring.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, combine the hot water, black cocoa powder, and instant espresso until smooth.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, fine salt, and baking soda.
- Add the chocolate mixture, vegetable oil, eggs, white vinegar, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and distribute the batter evenly into the cupcake liners.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the unsalted butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and salt, followed by heavy cream, melted chocolate, and cocoa powder until fluffy.
- Divide the frosting into three bowls and color each with the desired gel food coloring.
- Frost the cooled cupcakes, using the black frosting for the penguin body, white for the belly, and orange for the beak and feet.
- Decorate each cupcake to resemble a penguin and enjoy!
Notes
These cupcakes can be decorated ahead of time and stored in an airtight container. Adjust the coloring to create a variety of adorable penguins!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: Penguin Cupcakes, Chocolate Cupcakes, Holiday Treats, Festive Desserts