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S’mores Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting

Published , Last updated by Stef
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These S’mores Cupcakes are favorites around here! They are rich chocolate cupcakes topped with toasted Marshmallow Frosting. Don’t forget to add graham crackers, your favorite chocolate, mini marshmallows, and chocolate syrup for the perfect look and taste!

S'mores cupcake
This delicious and easy s’mores dessert is the perfect way to enjoy your favorite treat any time of the year!

I love toasting s’mores around a campfire and this dessert makes me feel like I’m fireside! They are great for birthday parties and other gatherings. This recipe will teach you how to make s’mores at home in the form of yummy cupcakes!

Table of Contents show

Ingredients for S’mores Cupcakes

To make these, you’ll need:

  • Unfrosted chocolate cupcakes – I highly suggest my chocolate cupcake recipe, but even a box mix will do in a pinch. You can follow the instructions for making my recipe below.
  • Egg whites – You’ll need these to make the fluffy marshmallow frosting. For best results, make sure there is no yolk mixed in.
  • Sugar and vanilla – These sweeten and flavor the marshmallow frosting.
  • Graham crackers, chocolate, and mini marshmallows – You’ll definitely want to decorate your cupcakes with these!
  • Chocolate syrup – This is needed to drizzle over the cupcakes.

How It’s Made

Chocolate Cupcakes

Tip: If you’ve never baked a cupcake from scratch before, I suggest you take a minute to read my post on how to make cupcakes. And, for the full description of these cupcakes and ingredient suggestions, make sure to read my chocolate cupcake post.

  1. Start by whisking together the dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt.

Tip: It’s really important to sift cocoa powder as it often clumps and won’t properly integrate with the other ingredients without sifting.

Sieve with dry ingredients including cocoa powder being sifted
I typically sift my dry ingredients using a spoon and a sieve for the best chocolate cupcakes.
  1. Mix butter and sugar. The mixture will end up looking like wet sand because there is only a little butter in the recipe.
Butter and sugar mixed in stand mixer
It’s so easy to make s’mores cupcakes by starting with an excellent chocolate cake batter.
  1. Mix in melted chocolate. Melt chocolate in the microwave by breaking or chopping the chocolate into small piece. Add to a microwave-safe bowl then heat for 20 second bursts, stirring after each burst until all of the chocolate is melted.
Adding melted chocolate to chocolate cupcake batter
The rich chocolatey cake pairs perfectly with a homemade marshmallow icing and other s’mores decorations!
  1. Mix in eggs and egg yolks, one at a time. The extra yolks give the recipe a little more moisture and fat content.
Adding eggs to chocolate cupcake batter
This easy s’mores dessert will become a new favorite treat for any lovers of chocolate, marshmallows, and all things summer!
  1. Mix in sour cream and oil. The sour cream’s tang enhances their flavor of these cupcakes and adds more dairy and fat to the recipe.
Adding sour cream to chocolate cupcake batter
Adding sour cream to your chocolate cupcakes makes them deliciously moist and gives them an extra touch of flavor.
  1. Mix in the dry ingredients in three additions. Stir only until just combined; over-mixing can cause the cupcakes to become gummy.
Mixing in dry ingredients to chocolate cupcake batter
For chocolate cupcakes, I recommend using a natural cocoa powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder) for the most rich and chocolatey results.
  1. Mix in water or brewed coffee. Perfect cupcake batter should be runny, so adding more liquid gets it to the correct consistency.
adding water to chocolate cupcake batter
Adding coffee to s’mores cupcakes to bring out the richness of the chocolate.
  1. Fill cupcake liners and bake. You won’t need a muffin tin or liners if you use baking cups like I did.

Tip: I find that using an ice cream scoop (disher) is the easiest way to fill cupcake liners.

filling baking cups with chocolate cupcake batter
To ensure even tops for your easy s’mores dessert, use some kind of scoop for consistent batter dispersal.
  1. You’ll know that the chocolate cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out dry and the tops bounce back when lightly touched. Put cupcakes on a cooling rack or on the counter and allow to cool while you make the marshmallow frosting.

Marshmallow Frosting

  1. Start by making the frosting. Heat egg whites with sugar and vanilla over a double boiler (or a bowl set over a pot of boiling water).
Marshmallow Frosting
This homemade marshmallow creme frosting really ties everything together for these s’mores cupcakes.
  1. After you’ve heated the mixture and the sugar has dissolved, whisk those ingredients using an electric mixer for nearly 20 minutes until you have stiff, glossy peaks. I don’t suggest trying to do this by hand.
stiff egg white peaks in a stand mixer
Fluffy marshmallow frosting is so easy to make and adds an authentic and sweet flavor to contrast the rich chocolate cupcakes.

Decorating

  1. Now it’s time for the fun part – decorating. Spread a thin layer of the frosting over a cooled chocolate cupcake – just enough to serve as glue for the graham cracker crumbs.
head-on view of spreading a thin layer of marshmallow frosting on top of a chocolate cupcake in a red baking cup
Start with a thin layer of marshmallow icing as a base.
  1. Then, invert the cupcake onto a plate of crushed graham crackers. They will stick to the frosting.
head-on view of inverting a s'mores cupcake with a thin layer of marshmallow frosting onto a plate full of crushed graham crackers
Graham cracker crumbs will stick to your marshmallow creme frosting in a perfect layer!
  1. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large round tip with marshmallow frosting and frost big, plump swirls of frosting onto each cupcake – leaving some graham cracker crumbs showing along the edge.
head-on view of piping marshmallow frosting onto a a s'mores cupcake in a red baking cup
On top of the graham cracker crumbs, pipe some more marshmallow icing for a gorgeous finish.
  1. Grab your kitchen torch and toast the frosting! Start off with the torch’s lowest heat setting so you don’t accidentally burn anything.
head-on view of using a culinary torch to toast marshmallow frosting
Make s’mores cupcakes really special by toasting your marshmallow frosting and bringing that fireside flavor right to your dessert!
  1. Top the s’mores cupcakes with a graham cracker square, chocolate, and mini marshmallows.

Tip: Depending on how sturdy and tall your frosting is, you may need to stick a toothpick or skewer behind the graham cracker and into the cupcake to help hold it up.

Decorated S'mores Cupcakes on a white background
Top cupcakes with more marshmallows, graham crackers, and your favorite chocolate to drive the important flavors home.
  1. Drizzle with lots of chocolate syrup and serve!

Expert Tips and FAQs

Decorating

  • While you can use any cupcake liners for your cupcakes, I highly suggest trying baking cups. They look so cute! You can bake cups directly on a cookie sheet and you won’t need a muffin tin.
Blurred out person in a striped apron holding a cooking sheet with red baking cups on it
These baking cups can be used with any baking sheet or baking tray and give your s’mores cupcakes a professional presentation.
  • If you use my chocolate cupcake recipe, I suggest you stick a regular liner inside of the baking cup to guarantee that the cupcakes look their best after the bake.
S'mores cupcake party on a red and white striped plate with a matching cup and straw in the background
As a final touch, drizzle some chocolate syrup over your marshmallow creme frosting. Enjoy!

FAQs

How long will these S’mores cupcakes last?

Once frosted and decorated, they are best when served within 24 hours.

What can I do with all of the leftover egg yolks?

I like to use mine to make homemade fruit curds (like my orange curd) and frozen custard. You can also freeze egg yolks to use in future recipes.

What can I do with leftover marshmallow frosting?

I make cookies with leftover buttercream frosting. With leftover marshmallow icing, you can make meringue cookies! Just pipe any extra onto a cookie sheet, sprinkle with any spices that you like, and bake at 200 F for 45 minutes. Turn the oven off and let them cool in the oven for at least 30 minutes.

Do I have to use marshmallow creme frosting for S’mores cupcakes?

For the most authentic flavors, I do recommend the marshmallow icing. For a shortcut, use some marshmallow fluff instead, but be aware it may not hold its shape the same way. You could also try something like a Swiss meringue or similarly light and sweet frosting. A marshmallow buttercream is also a fantastic option.

How else can I customize S’mores cupcakes?

If you really love the graham cracker component, feel free to use some cracker crumbs in the bottom of your cupcake liners or baking cups to create a graham cracker crust layer.

Did you make this recipe? Leave a review!
S'mores cupcake
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5 from 3 votes

S’mores Cupcakes

S'mores cupcakes are chocolate cupcakes with a toasted marshmallow frosting!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 21 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 1 minute
Servings 18
Calories 482kcal
Author Stefani

Equipment

  • Candy thermometer
  • Stand mixer

Ingredients

Cupcake Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder natural or Dutched will both work with this recipe
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 ounces chocolate Choose your favorite. You can use any chocolate that you like except white chocolate or candy melts. The chocolate doesn’t have to be one typically earmarked for baking – any chocolate bar that doesn’t contain mix-ins like nuts, Rice Krispies, nougat, etc. will work.
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 large egg yolks room temperature
  • 9 tablespoons vegetable oil this is the same as 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon – measure in a liquid measuring cup
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup full-fat sour cream
  • 1/2 cup water room temperature, measured in a liquid measuring cup

Frosting Ingredients

  • 14 large egg whites
  • 4 cups sugar
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 6 graham cracker squares crushed
  • 18 graham cracker squares
  • 5 chocolate bars
  • 90 mini marshmallows
  • chocolate syrup to taste
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Cupcake Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, and cocoa powder into a separate medium-sized bowl. Use a fork or a whisk to ensure that the ingredients are mixed well after sifting. Set aside.
  • In a medium-sized mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mix butter and sugar until fully combined. The end result should look like wet sand.
  • Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler.
  • Once the melted chocolate is cool enough to touch, add it to the butter/sugar mixture and mix until just combined.
  • Mix in eggs and egg yolks one at a time until just combined.
  • Mix in oil, vanilla, and sour cream until just combined.
  • Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in three additions, mixing until just combined after each addition.
  • Mix in water until just combined.
  • Fill cupcake liners or baking cups 2/3 full and put in the oven.
  • Check for doneness at 18 minutes – a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake should come out clean. If they are not done, check again every three minutes until they are done.
  • Immediately remove cupcakes from the cupcake tin or baking sheet (if using baking cups) and place on a cooling rack or on the counter to cool to room temperature.

Frosting Instructions

  • Combine egg whites, sugar, and vanilla extract in the metal mixing bowl of your stand mixer and set over a pot filled with boiling water on a range, creating a double boiler.
  • Whisk by hand for a few minutes until the mixture reaches 110 F on a candy thermometer.
  • Place the bowl on a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on medium speed for 10 minutes.
  • Increase to high speed and whisk until stiff glossy peaks form, about 5 to 10 minutes more.

Decorating Instructions

  • Spread a thin layer of marshmallow frosting over each cupcake.
  • Dip each cupcake into crushed graham crackers.
  • Use a piping bag fitted with a large round tip to pipe a generous swirl of frosting on each cupcake, leaving a small edge of graham cracker crumbs showing.
  • Using a culinary torch, toast the marshmallow frosting.
  • Top each cupcake with a graham cracker square, a piece of chocolate, mini marshmallows, and chocolate syrup.
  • Serve within 24 hours (otherwise the graham cracker will get soggy).

Video

Notes

For the chocolate cupcakes (see more extensive notes on that post):
  • If you would like to add coffee to the recipe, either add 1 teaspoon espresso powder or instant coffee granules along with the sifted dry ingredients, or replace the water with room temperature brewed coffee.
  • Using different cocoa powders will alter the taste of the cupcakes, but you really can’t go wrong. All varieties of cocoa powder work well.
  • The chocolate in these cupcakes doesn’t have to be one typically earmarked for baking – any chocolate, bar, chips, or discs that don’t contain mix-ins (like nuts, Rice Krispies, nougat, etc.) will work. This way, you can choose whatever type of chocolate you prefer to eat: milk, dark, or even flavored chocolate bars.
  • Yogurt will work well as a substitute for sour cream if you don’t have any on hand.
  • For making these cupcakes, use any mild vegetable oil – generic, canola, and safflower are all good choices.
When making the marshmallow frosting:
  • Make sure the inside of the bowl is totally dry before beginning.
  • Make sure there are no egg yolks mixed in with the egg whites.
  • Keep on whisking – don’t stop early.
If the graham cracker doesn’t stay upright on top of the cupcakes, you can place a small toothpick behind it to support it.
You will likely have extra marshmallow frosting. You can bake that into meringue cookies by piping onto parchment paper and baking at 200F for about 45 minutes, then leaving in the warm oven for another 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 482kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 63g | Vitamin A: 165IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 3mg
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