S’mores cupcakes combine all the best parts of a classic s’more into a cupcake. They start with a graham cracker crust, followed by a moist chocolate cake filled with gooey chocolate ganache, and are topped with toasted marshmallow frosting. These cupcakes are irresistible and each bite is better than the last!
Our Love for S’mores Cupcakes
Our love for s’mores cupcakes began with our mom’s occasional treat from Sprinkles Cupcakes. Out of all the flavors, we always went for the s’mores cupcake. It looks similar to a regular chocolate cupcake, but the hidden surprises make it special. Over the years, we’ve perfected our version, and now they are our all-time favorite cupcakes.
S’mores Cupcakes
Servings 12
Ingredients
**Graham Cracker Crust:**
- – 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs about 1 package
- – ⅓ cup melted butter
- – ¼ cup sugar
**Cupcakes:**
- – 1 cup sugar
- – ⅞ cup flour about 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons
- – ⅜ cup cocoa powder about 6 tablespoons
- – 1 teaspoon baking soda
- – ½ teaspoon baking powder
- – ½ teaspoon salt
- – 1 egg
- – 1 teaspoon vanilla
- – ¼ cup neutral oil canola or vegetable
- – ½ cup buttermilk
- – ½ cup hot coffee
**Ganache:**
- – 2.5 oz chopped chocolate
- – 2 tablespoons butter
- – ⅜ cup sugar about 6 tablespoons
- – ⅜ cup heavy cream about 6 tablespoons
- – 1 teaspoon vanilla
- – Pinch of salt
**Marshmallow Frosting:**
- – 4 egg whites
- – 1 cup sugar
- – ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- – 1 teaspoon vanilla or 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
#### Graham Cracker Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a ziplock bag and crushing with a rolling pin.
- Mix the crumbs with the melted butter and sugar until well combined.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture into each lined cupcake cup, pressing down to form an even layer.
- Bake for 8 minutes, then set aside to cool.
#### Cupcakes
- In a bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Add the egg, vanilla, buttermilk, and oil. Mix until combined.
- Stir in the hot coffee quickly to ensure even distribution. The batter will be thin.
- Pour the batter over the baked crust, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
- Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
#### Ganache
- Place the chocolate, butter, salt, and vanilla in a bowl.
- Heat the cream and sugar in a small pan over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
- Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and stir until smooth.
- Refrigerate until cool but not hard, about the consistency of frosting.
- Transfer the ganache to a piping bag with a ¼-inch metal tip, or use a ziplock bag with a ¼-inch hole cut in the corner.
#### Marshmallow Frosting
- Set up a double boiler: fill a pan with about 1 inch of water and place a heatproof bowl on top, making sure it doesn’t touch the water.
- Combine the egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the bowl. Place the bowl over the simmering water.
- Heat on low, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is warm. Be careful not to cook the egg whites.
- Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form and the mixture is glossy. Add the vanilla and mix to combine.
- Transfer to a piping bag with a tip, or use a ziplock bag with a ½-inch hole cut in the corner.
### To Assemble the S’mores Cupcakes
- Poke a hole in the center of each cupcake and pipe in the ganache filling.
- Pipe the marshmallow frosting on top of each cupcake.
- Toast the frosting using a kitchen torch for a true s’mores look and taste. If you don’t have a torch, place the cupcakes under the broiler in the oven for 1-2 minutes until golden brown on top.