Marshmallow Creme Chocolate Cupcakes

 

Chocolate Cupcakes with chocolate ganache and a marshmallow creme filling . . . it's like a Hostess Cupcake, but upgraded!  I made these for a friend's baby shower.  Pretty simple, elegant and yummy!

Start with your favourite chocolate cupcake recipe (this chocolate layer cake on this page works great) or if you're in a pinch, call Duncan Hines (I won't tell).


Once the cupcakes are cooled completely, let the fun begin!

For the Marshmallow Fluff filling:

1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow fluff

1/2 cup shortening

1/3 cup confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Add the marshmallow fluff and shortening to mixer bowl and mix on medium until combined, about 2 minutes.  Slowly add remaining ingredients to combine and increase to high for 4 minutes, until light and fluffy.  Place in a piping bag fitted with a "filling" tip for ease of injection.


For the Ganache Frosting:

1 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup heavy whipping cream

(Please note that this will yield more than enough ganache to frost the cupcakes.  I like to bake brownies and use the extra to frost!)

Place chocolate chips in a medium bowl.  In a saucepan, gently heat the cream to almost a boil.  Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for a minute.  Stir the chocolate mixture until dark and uniform in colour and completely smooth.  Set aside to cool to room temperature and slightly thickened.  Stir before use.

Once the cupcakes are cooled, inject the marshmallow filling into the top centre of each cupcake, filling generously, but without bursting the cupcakes!

Dip the filled cupcakes into the room temperature ganache to coat the tops.

Once slightly hardened, you can decorate the tops, or leave them plain if desired.



For the Writing Icing:

• 1 cup Confectioner's Sugar
  
• 2 tbsp Meringue Powder
• Water to reach desired consistency

Combine the sugar, meringue powder and water until you reach a smooth and thick consistency. (Sorry, I eyeballed the water adding only a few drops at a time until it was thick enough to hold a line, but loose enough to pipe).  Fill a piping bag fitted with a fine piping tip to decorate tops.  You could do the traditional Hostess loops, or anything else that you see fit!