Description
These Bonfire Cupcakes combine rich chocolate cake spiced with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, topped with creamy vanilla buttercream frosting tinted with fiery orange and yellow hues. Decorated with pretzel sticks and mini marshmallows to mimic a cozy campfire bonfire, these cupcakes are perfect for gatherings and themed parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 15.25 ounce box of chocolate cake mix
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1 ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- â…“ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups salted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 cups confectioners sugar (sifted)
- 3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Orange food coloring
- Yellow food coloring
Decorations
- 16 ounce bag of pretzel sticks
- 10 ounce bag of mini marshmallows
- 24 toothpicks
- Cinnamon (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two muffin tins with cupcake liners and set them aside for your batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer on low speed, combine the chocolate cake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until just mixed to blend the spices evenly.
- Add Heavy Cream: Beat in 1 ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream, blending it through the dry mix gently.
- Add Oil: Mix in the vegetable oil next, whipping until the batter is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Eggs: Add three eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each to ensure a smooth, even batter.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Use a tablespoon or scoop to fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full, ensuring even cupcake sizes for consistent baking.
- Bake: Place in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the cupcakes are firm to touch, bounce back after a tap, or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely—about one hour—to enable smooth frosting application without melting.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cupcakes cool, beat softened butter until creamy, gradually add sifted confectioners sugar, vanilla extract, and 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, mixing until smooth and fluffy. Tint portions of the frosting with orange and yellow food coloring for the bonfire effect.
- Decorate: Frost each cupcake with the colored buttercream, arranging pretzel sticks in the center to mimic logs and secure mini marshmallows on toothpicks to resemble marshmallows roasting over the fire. Optionally, dust cinnamon over cupcakes for an extra warm aroma.
Notes
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better batter consistency and rise.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are combined to avoid dense cupcakes.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting or sliding frosting.
- Use food-safe toothpicks for securing marshmallows and pretzel sticks safely.
- Adjust the amount of food coloring gradually to achieve desired intensity without affecting frosting texture.
