Smiling Chocolate Cupcakes!

Celebrate World Chocolate Day with these hilarious cupcakes! I grew up with these wax lips, and they always make me smile. You can find them (usually in red) in any store that sells "retro" candy, or the Oriental Trading Company. If you can't find them, use the Jelly Belly Sour Lips, or even the foil-coated chocolate lips (sold in most drug stores!). I've even used 2 Brach's mandarin orange slices squished together! 

Smiling Chocolate Cupcakes

Cooking spray
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
Vanilla icing
Candy hearts
Wax lips

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray or use paper liners. 
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix well with a fork and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix on low speed until blended. Gradually beat in the boiling water. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until blended.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until a wooden pick comes out clean (little bits clinging to the pick is ideal). Cool the cupcakes in the pan, on a wire rack.
When cupcakes have cooled, top with icing, candy hearts and wax lips! 

Makes 12 cupcakes


Photo: YaiSirichai


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