A Southern Grace: s'more or less

April 15, 2014

s'more or less

Yum

I know everyone is supposed to go crazy for s'mores, but somewhere along the way, I lost enthusiasm for them. I think the magic of a campfire is really important to get the whole effect, and I haven't actually been in the presence of one of those for many years.


Though my excitement over s'mores has diminished, I still love the taste of toasted marshmallows--it's absolutely one of my top five Jelly Belly jelly bean flavors. I was really hopeful that Martha's marshmallow frosting would taste exactly like marshmallows, and while I didn't find that to be true, I still greatly enjoyed these cupcakes. They're full of exciting textures and wonderful flavors and very much worth the effort.

As with all chocolate cakes, you definitely want to sift the dry ingredients in this recipe--nothing stands out as much as a ball of white flour amidst dark chocolate cake. When you're putting the graham cracker crumb mixture into the bottom of the liners (a tedious process, I know), you can use the bottom of a small glass to press them firmly into place.


You might be thinking that my dollop of frosting looks pretty weak, and you're right. For one thing, I waited too long to take my pictures--initially, there was a pleasant-looking dome that sagged more and more as time went by. Also, I made the mistake of using a star tip to apply the frosting, and that's why the broiling caused the design to look a little bit like a blood-shot eyeball. Stick with a plain open tip for the most attractive results.

These are surprisingly delicious and revived my love of s'mores, and hey--no campfire required (though it'd still be nice)!

S'moreish Cupcakes
Based on Martha's recipe
Makes 2 dozen
Ingredients:
  • 2-1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided use
  • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 20 squares)
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 9 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 batch of marshmallow frosting
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 standard muffin tins with cupcake liners; set aside.
Sift 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix ingredients together on low speed.
In a large bowl, mix together eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl and continue mixing on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add boiling water and stir to combine; set cake batter aside.
Place graham cracker crumbs, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl; stir until well combined.
Place 1 tablespoon graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each prepared muffin cup. Reserve remaining graham cracker mixture for topping.
Place 2 teaspoons chocolate in each muffin cup. Transfer muffin tins to oven and bake until the edges of the graham cracker mixture is golden, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and fill each muffin cup three-quarters full with cake batter. Sprinkle each with remaining chocolate and graham cracker mixture. Return to oven and bake, rotating pans halfway through baking, until tops are firm and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer muffin tins to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and let cool completely.
Transfer frosting to a large pastry bag fitted with a large tip. Pipe frosting in a spiral motion on each cupcake. Transfer cupcakes to a baking sheet. Using a kitchen torch or broiler element, cautiously and lightly brown the frosting, taking care not to burn the cupcake liners.
Serve and eat ASAP!

23 comments:

~~louise~~ said...

Hi Grace,

Your "S'moreish Cupcakes" look absolutely delectable!

My interest in s'mores waned later in life until just a few years ago when my grandkids came to visit. It was my pleasure to introduce them both to the gooey treat and even supervise them while they made their very first S'mores:)

Thanks for sparking that memory Grace and for sharing this recipe...

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

I've never really understood why people like S'mores... Those cupcakes though look very tempting.

Cheers,

Rosa

Barbara said...

S'mores are my second worst downfall. I've been known to toast one on a toothpick to get a fix. Is this left over from childhood spent round campfires??
Loving your cupcakes, Grace. All those yummy things in one mouthful!

Alicia Foodycat said...

I've always wondered if you have to be born in the US to like S'mores? I don't particularly like marshmallow and never thought s'mores sounded nice at all.

Rosita Vargas said...

Grace se ve espectacular y delicioso buen trabajo,abrazois

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

I never grew up with Smores so they hold great novelty for me! :

Anonymous said...

You are so right about the camping effect....even we felt so but only until we saw your glorious cupcakes....now after looking at these amazing,marvelous gooey good cupcakes...there is no need for lighting up a camp fire for enjoying soft,melting gooey marshmallow topped cups,thanks so much for the inspiration :-)

Angie's Recipes said...

These cupcakes look very tempting! Love the cracker bottom!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Always want s'more of this :D

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Caroline Taylor said...

Looks SO good!

Pam said...

My sister LOVES s'mores so I know she would be thrilled with these cupcakes. Can't wait to make them for her.

Joanne said...

I really only like s'mores in the mix with other sweet treats...like these cupcakes! I've made something similar before and they were great!

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

We would absolutely adore these. There is a problem with the recipe though, it makes 24? That is a lot of cupcakes for me to devour ;) I would have to make these on a week night so I would take at least half into the office the next day!

Beth said...

I'm a big fan of S'more flavours, and I've got S'more ice cream, cookies and bar recipes on my blog. Your cupcakes sound terrific (bloodshot eye and all!).

Juliana said...

You are not going to believe, I have never had s'more...now I see why people go crazy for it. The cupcake looks delicious...very tempting indeed.
Thanks for the recipe Grace :D

Blond Duck said...

Yum!

sprinklesandsauce said...

i wish i bit that cupcake! yum! ;)

Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic said...

I like smores in any way, shape, or form, and I would certainly welcome one (or three) of these cupcakes!

pam said...

I'm all for s'mores without a campfire!

Lucy @ Lucyeats said...

S'moreish indeed! That looks delightful!

I Wilkerson said...

You know even at the campfire (which I still get every summer), I find myself going more for the toasted marshmallows than the whole s'more now. I think I have just gotten attached to the small bites concept. But your cupcakes look lovely and almost mysteriously complex. Happy Easter!

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

These cupcakes look yummy, Grace! I only ever ate S'mores when camping, and I've never been a big marshmallow fan.

Laura said...

I think the entire purpose to my parents' little clay fire pit thingie in their backyard is to be able to regularly make s'mores all summer long! These look wonderful!