Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting

Well, it looks really crappy outside and my kitchen is clean.....that means it is time to bake! (OK, i so don't really need an excuse to bake!)

I have been craving chocolate cupcakes, and this one hit the spot today. The comfort of chocolate and just enough spice to warm you up on a chilly day.



Preheat oven to 375.
First, mix together the sugar and butter.

Next, add the eggs, vanilla, and instant coffee.

Now, combine flour, cocoa, cinnamon, cayenne, and red pepper flakes.

Mix all ingredients well, stopping to scrape the bowl as needed.
Spoon into 12 muffin cups and bake at 375 for 17-20 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.
Allow to cool completely before frosting with Cinnamon frosting.

You can choose to leave the frosting plain or do like I did and lightly dust cocoa powder over the top.

Here is the recipe:

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

• 2/3 cup butter, sofened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup AP flour
• 2 Tbs. Cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp instant coffee granules
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs

Preheat oven to 375. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, cinnamon, instant coffee, and vanilla. mix well-scraping bowl as needed. In a seperate bowl, combine flour and cocoa powder. Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mix well. Spoon into muffin tin lined with paper cups. Bake at 375 for 17-20 minutes or until done. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Cinnamon Frosting

• 1/4 cup shortening 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 2-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar 
• 3 tablespoons milk

With a mixer, cream shortening, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix in confectioners' sugar. Mix in milk until frosting is light and fluffy. Frost cupcakes. Garnish as desired.

Tip: If you do not own a piping bag, just put the frosting into a zip top bag. Snip one corner and push the frosting toward the corner.

Just a fair warning: These cupcakes do pack a punch of spice. You can control the impact by decreasing the cayenne and eliminating the red pepper flakes. You can even replace the cayenne with chili powder is you prefer. I like mine with a bit of kick, though.

Enjoy!