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Such a fun little cupcake to share today!
I couldn’t be more excited about all the things we have to chat about this Tuesday. First is obviously these Valentine’s surprise chocolate high hat cupcakes…possibly the most fun cupcake to ever come out of my kitchen. I don’t know what it is, but sweets that are hand-held and piled high at the same time are just so much fun…not to mention delicious.
So what’s the surprise? Well, if you take one bite into these cupcakes you’ll actually discover not one, but two surprises. Yup, going all out today. Deep inside these cupcakes is a rather large spoonful of Nutella, YESSSSS! But most likely, before you even hit the Nutella surprise, you will discover the fun red/pink buttercream hidden under that layer of chocolate you see on the outside. So fun and cute, right? I know it’s a little over the top, but I just couldn’t help it! Cupcakes like these are just too much fun and when it’s February, aka the month of all things sweet and chocolate, I feel as though over the top is totally acceptable. <–and don’t try to tell me otherwise. 🙂
Okok, so I’m taking a little detour from cupcake talk to share my other excitement of the day. If you guys follow me on Instagram then you know that Sunday was kind of a big day for my younger brother Red. He took first place at the Mammoth Grand Prix, which was the first US Olympic qualifier for Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle for the 2018 Winter Olympics. It’s kind of, sort of, a really big deal and I could not be prouder or happier or more excited for him. He’s only 16 and currently the youngest rider on the US team. I feel like I could write a billion words about the kid at the moment, but thinking I’ll save all that for one my “favorites” post. So stay tuned for that, cause the big sister in me has too much excitement and too many words to write about it all.
ps. since the comp took place in Mammoth, CA I had to watch via live stream on Sunday. I was basically a giant yarn ball of nerves…which is also why I am only mentioning all this now. Watching him freaks me the heck out…so glad it’s over (but in a good way).
So, anyway back to food, and sweet treats, and all things overloaded chocolate. Up until these guys, I had never made high hat cupcakes, but I am so happy I finally decided to give them a try. I’ve always thought it was such a good idea to dip a cupcake in chocolate, I mean, it’s kind of genius, right? When I was thinking up Valentine’s Day desserts for this month, I could not get the idea of a V-Day inspired high hat cupcake out of my head, so here we are…
Tripled up with chocolate and even touched with a hint of (very naturally dyed) pink! Yup, naturally dyed! I’ve said this before, but food coloring totally freaks me out. I will use it, but if I can avoid it, I most likely will. I’ve always wondered if beet juice would work as a natural food coloring and you know what, it totally does, and I promise, you can’t even taste an ounce of beet flavor. I used two teaspoons of fresh beet juice to color the buttercream and the frosting could not have turned out better. Plus, it was SO easy to do. I just used the red beets I had sitting in my fridge, grated them down and then squeezed out the juice. Simple as that. I ended up with the prettiest, naturally died pink buttercream. Not going to lie, I’m kind of, just a little bit, excited about it…as you will see come Friday.
Ok, so while the pink buttercream is fun and all, the real deliciousness of this recipe comes in the form of perfectly light and chocolatey cupcakes that are then stuffed with a generous amount of Nutella. That combo right there, even without the buttercream is delish. Of course, they’re much better with buttercream, and even better than that when the buttercream gets dunked into still more chocolate.
Ahh, yes please. It’s true, high hat cupcakes are the ultimate cupcake, and I am pretty sure I could not think of a better sweet treat to bake up this month. Even if you’re not a V-Day celebrator, bake them up because you love and appreciate chocolate. Or maybe because you just need a fun new cupcake! Or maybe you have a birthday this month (my family has two). Or maybe you just need a fun way to celebrate something special? Either way, you just have to make these. Again, cake, Nutella, buttercream frosting, and chocolate coating. Yes, please!
Valentine's Surprise Chocolate High Hat Cupcakes
Servings: 20 cupcakes
Calories Per Serving: 329 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs at room temperature*
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot brewed coffee or water
- 1/2 cup Nutella
Vanilla Buttercream
- 3 eggs whites
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoons beet juice or 1-2 drops red food coloring
Chocolate Coating
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil or canola oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 cupcake tins with paper liners.
- In a medium bowl combine the flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand held mixer) beat together the eggs, buttermilk, canola oil and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients with the mixer on low until there are no longer any clumps of flour. Add the coffee and mix until combined. Batter should be pourable, but not super thin.
- Pour the batter among 18-20 cupcake liners. Transfer to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the tops are just set and no longer wiggly in the center. Remove and let cool completely before filling and frosting.
- Use a small paring knife to cut a cone-shaped piece from the center of each cooled cupcake. Fill the hole with nutella, then replace the top portion of the cone (you'll need to slice off the tip).
- To make the buttercream. Bring a large pot (big enough to place your mixing bowl over top) of water to boil. In the bowl of a stand mixer whisk the egg whites and sugar together. Place the bowl of the stand mixer over the pot of boiling water and cook, stirring often, until the egg whites are very warm to the touch and the sugar has dissolved, remove the bowl from the heat. Whip the egg whites on high until stiff peaks form. Allow the egg whites to cool before continuing. Once cool, add the butter, vanilla and beet juice/food coloring. Beat until combined and fluffy.
- Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe frosting into a swirl on each cupcake. Place the cupcakes in the fridge, covered for at least an hour to chill or up to overnight.
- To make the chocolate coating. In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate chips and oil, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth. Let the coating sit 10-15 minutes before dipping the cupcakes. Dip each cupcake in the chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Allow the chocolate to harden and then either serve or store covered in a cool and dark place for up to 3-4 days.
Notes
*To quickly bring eggs to room temperature place them in a bowl and fill with warm water. Let sit for five minutes.
Seriously though, that Nutella center? The best!
Was excited about these, but the frosting was incredibly disappointing. It was runny and would not stiffen. I am sure they will taste fine, but they are not good looking at all.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! So sorry to hear about your frosting! Was your butter melted by chance? Let me know how I can help! You may have need to whip the egg whites longer:) xx
These look delicious! I can’t wait to try them. Does it make a difference if I use water rather than coffee consistency wise? Are there any secrets to making sure the icing doesn’t fall off when dipping? Also when you put the mixing bowl over boiling water does it sit in the pot or do you just hold it above the water?
Hey Grace,
Consistency wise, both coffee and water give the same results:) The icing is pretty stiff, so you shouldn’t have any issues when dipping. You will want the bowl to be just above the water. I hope this helps! Let me know if you give this recipe a try! xT
Hey, I tried to make these yday and the cupcakes came out quite well but my frosting is very runny .. don’t know what I did wrong there .. what’s the best way to fix it ? Thanks
Hey there! I’m so sorry about that! Is there anything you did differently? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Happy Valentine’s Day! Ever look good! These delicious delights are TOTALLY OLYMPIC!!! Way to go, Tieghan! Way to go for your brother! What an incredibly talented family! Thank you for sharing this! 🙂
Thank you Joel!!
I am trying these this weekend–look so good! One thing…from the pictures these look like mini cupcakes, or are they regular size?
nope, they are regular size..pictures can be deceiving sometimes! Hope you love these! 🙂
These are so pretty! Any advice on how to make sure the frosting keeps it’s shape when dipping them into the chocolate? And do they freeze well if I want to make them this weekend and eat them on Tuesday?
When I initially saw the picture of these I thought the icing was strawberry flavored. 🙂 would there be an easy way to do that?
-absolutely LOVE your blog/recipes.
Hey Britt! Hmm, i think adding a tablespoon or 2 of strawberry jam would do the trick. i am sure it will be delish! Hope you love these. Thanks! 🙂
Can’t wait to give them a try! Thanks for the response!
Of course hope you love them!
These look incredible. I’m amazed how well the buttercream stays on top while you dip them in chocolate. I’ll have to try this out!
Yes! Its so fun to make, hope you love them Kate!
Hi Tieghan,
Every day I am amazed at your creative, delicious recipes.
I see the times that you post them; girl, do you ever sleep?
I live in Texas. My daughter and her family live in Golden, Co. If you open a restaurant, we will all come 🙂
Hi Maggie!! first off thank you so much!
Yes! I use a scheduling program to post them (:
I need my sleep, haha!
That would be so fun to do, maybe some day!
Hi hat cupcakes are always so pretty!
So pretty!! Thanks Kari!
Gorgeous cupcakes! Yummm
Thanks Jenny!
Love these Tieghan! B-e-a-u-tiful! And congrats to Red!!
Thanks so much Debs! So proud of him!
Hmmmm, what about adding some of the shredded beets into the chocolate cake mix too???? I’m trying to justify making these, you see…..I mean mo beets mo better, right?
LOVE the idea of adding shredded beets…makes them health food! 🙂
It’s So beautiful! I love chocolate and cupcakes with a delicious filling. This cupcake is totally Valentine’s surprise!
Yes! Thanks so much Carlos, so happy you like them!