Cocoa Cupcakes

Cocoa Cupcakes Image_1597-2.jpg

Bite into one of these rich cocoa cupcakes for a gooey marshmallow surprise. Topped with airy whipped cream dusted with cinnamon, these chocolaty treats are sure to be a hit at every celebration.

Yield
Prep Time45 minutes

Ingredients

Look for dairy brands with the Real California seals.    
For Cupcakes:
1⁄2 Cup cocoa powder
3⁄4 Cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1⁄4 Teaspoon baking powder
1⁄8 Teaspoon salt
8 Tablespoon unsalted california butter, softened
1 Cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
3 large eggs
1⁄3 Cup California Milk
3⁄4 Teaspoon vanilla extract
1⁄2 Teaspoon lemon juice
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For Frosting:
12 Tablespoon marshmallow fluff (for filling)
whipped cream
ground cinnamon

Instructions

Cupcakes:
1. Preheat oven to 350øF. Grease and flour insides of 12 muffin cups or insert paper liners.
2. In a small bowl, combine cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. With an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, making sure each is incorporated before adding the next.
3. In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir together milk, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Mixture will curdle slightly.
4. With electric mixer on low speed, add one-third of cocoa and flour mixture to butter and sugar mixture, mixing until combined.
5. Add half of milk mixture and mix well. Mixing well between each addition, add another third of the dry ingredients, the remaining milk mixture and then the remaining dry ingredients.
6. Evenly divide batter between cupcake molds. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the pans. Cool completely before frosting.
Note: If you are using cupcake liners, insert a table knife along the inside of the cupcake mold and gently pry the cupcake out. If you are not using liners, remove the cupcakes from the pan by running a paring knife around the inside edge of each cupcake and gently the cupcake out.

Frosting:
1. Scoop a hole out of the center of each cupcake about 3/4-inch deep and 1 1/2-inches wide. Fill each hole with 1 tablespoon of marshmallow fluff. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to serve.
2. Just before serving, place a large dollop of whipped cream on top of each cupcake. Dust with ground cinnamon and serve immediately.

Recipe provided by the California Milk Advisory Board