Description
Delightfully festive Groundhog Day Cupcakes feature rich chocolate cake topped with creamy chocolate frosting and whimsical decorations resembling groundhogs. Perfect for celebrating Groundhog Day with a fun, delicious treat that kids and adults will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup boiling water
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Decoration Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
- 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers (for the ground)
- 1/2 cup orange fondant or orange-colored candy (for the nose)
- 1-2 pretzel sticks (for paws)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for the batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well blended to form the dry base.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract together until smooth for the wet mixture.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Add Boiling Water: Gradually pour in the boiling water while mixing until the batter is smooth; the batter will be thin, which is normal.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Pour the batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean indicating doneness.
- Cool Cupcakes: Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat softened butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy.
- Add Frosting Ingredients: Gradually add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the butter, continuing to beat.
- Beat Frosting: Increase mixer speed to high and beat for 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Frost Cupcakes: Once completely cooled, generously frost each cupcake with the chocolate frosting.
- Create Ground: Press crushed graham crackers gently around the edges of each frosted cupcake to simulate the ground.
- Form Groundhog Body: Create a small mound of frosting in the center of each cupcake to represent the groundhog’s body.
- Add Eyes and Nose: Place mini chocolate chips for eyes on the mound and mold a small piece of orange fondant or candy into a triangle for the nose.
- Attach Paws: Insert 1-2 pretzel sticks on each side of the mound to mimic paws.
- Optional Decorations: Use extra frosting to sculpt little ears or a tail to enhance the groundhog design creatively.
Notes
- Boiling water thins the batter and helps intensify the chocolate flavor while keeping the cupcakes moist.
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Use heavy cream for richer frosting or milk as a lighter alternative.
- If you want a deeper chocolate flavor, add an extra 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the batter.
- For a fun twist, you can add a small amount of instant coffee granules dissolved in the boiling water to enhance the chocolate taste.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Bring refrigerated cupcakes to room temperature before serving for best texture and flavor.
