Hot Chocolate Cupcakes!

Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients:

2 cups of All-Purpose Flour

2/3 cup Unsweetened Cocoa

1 1/4 teaspoons Baking Soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder

3/4 cup Shortening

1 1/2 cups Sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup Sour Cream

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1 cup Water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°, and line 24 muffin cups with cupcake liners.
2. Mix together flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, and baking powder.
3. In a separate bowl, beat shortening with an electric mixer for 30 seconds.
4. Beat in the sugar slowly in increments, beat for 2 minutes longer.
5. Beat in eggs, sour cream and vanilla until well blended.
6. Alternate adding in the flour mixture from step 2, and water until just blended. Don't overmix!
7. Divide evenly among muffin cups and bake for 20-25 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes in the pan. Remove from the pan and cool completely on racks

Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

1 cup Marshmallow Cream

2/3 cup Butter, softened

1 tablespoon Vanilla

6 cups Powdered Sugar

Directions:

1. Beat butter with an electric mixer until smooth.
2. Add in marshmallow cream and vanilla, mix until smooth.
3. Slowly begin to add in powdered sugar. You may use more or less, 6 cups is just a recommendation. Add until it is stiff enough to hold it's shape, but not to stiff to pipe.

Decorating!

1. Press a pretzel half into the side of the cupcake, to resemble the cup handle
2. Pipe three dollops of frosting, to resemble melted marshmallows
3. Sprinkle with cocoa