Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Hot Chocolate Frosting Recipe

Bake up these rich, moist Hot Chocolate Cupcakes topped with creamy Hot Chocolate Frosting. They’re the perfect cozy dessert for winter, parties, or chocolate lovers.

These Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Hot Chocolate Frosting are the ultimate cozy dessert. The recipe combines everything we love about a warm mug of cocoa with the indulgence of a homemade treat. Rich, moist, and full of chocolate flavor, this cupcake recipe uses hot chocolate in both the cake and the frosting to create a layered, nostalgic cocoa taste that feels equal parts comforting and celebratory.

What makes these cupcakes extra special is how simple they are to make while still feeling bakery-worthy. The cupcakes bake up soft and fluffy, while the hot chocolate frosting is creamy, smooth, and perfectly sweet. Finished with mini marshmallows or a dusting of cocoa powder, they’re as cute as they are delicious.

Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a winter gathering, or just because a chocolate craving strikes, these hot chocolate cupcakes are a crowd-pleasing dessert you’ll come back to again and again. They’re cozy, chocolatey, and versatile enough for parties, gifting, or a sweet night in. Just the kind of recipe we love sharing around here!

Ingredients Needed

For the cupcakes:

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Hot chocolate mix
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Eggs
• Milk or buttermilk
• Vegetable oil or butter
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

For the frosting:

• Powdered sugar
• Prepared hot chocolate drink: We used Dunkin’ Donuts Original Hot Chocolate.
• Softened butter

Optional Garnishing:

• Mini marshmallows

How to Make Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

1 — Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with liners. This ensures even baking and easy cleanup.

2 — Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, hot chocolate mix, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until fully combined.

3 — Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together sugar, eggs, milk, oil (or butter), and vanilla until smooth.

4 — Bring it together: Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until you get a smooth batter without lumps.

5 — Bake the cupcakes: Fill liners about 2/3 full and bake 17-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.

Hot Chocolate Frosting Instructions

1 — Cream the butter: Add the softened butter to a mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth.

2 — Add the powdered sugar: Slowly mix in the powdered sugar and beat until creamy and well combined. (Scrape down the sides as needed.)

3 — Mix in the hot chocolate: Pour in the prepared hot chocolate drink and mix again until the frosting is light and fluffy.

If the mixture is too thick, you can add a dash more hot chocolate, or if it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar and stir.

Frosting Tip

What makes this frosting extra special is its versatility. While it pairs beautifully with cupcakes and cakes, it’s just as delicious spread over brownies, sandwiched between cookies, or swirled onto donuts and bars. Using Dunkin’ Donuts Original Hot Chocolate gives it a deep, classic chocolate flavor without the need for extra cocoa or complicated ingredients.

We also discovered that one of the easiest (and now our favorite) tricks for frosting cupcakes is using an ice cream scoop. Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, simply scoop the frosting on top for a perfectly rounded finish, then top with marshmallows for an extra cozy touch.

Pro Tips for Best Results

• Don’t overmix the batter: Once the dry and wet ingredients are combined, mix just until smooth. Overmixing can lead to dense cupcakes instead of soft, fluffy ones.
• Adjust frosting consistency as needed: If the hot chocolate frosting feels too thick, add a small splash of hot chocolate or milk. If it’s too thin, mix in a little more powdered sugar until it’s spreadable or pipeable.
• Use an ice cream scoop for easy frosting: For a quick and uniform look, scoop frosting onto each cupcake using an ice cream scoop. No piping bag required.
• Finish with toppings: Mini marshmallows, shaved chocolate, cocoa powder, or festive sprinkles all make great finishing touches and enhance the hot cocoa vibe.
• Make ahead friendly: Cupcakes can be baked a day in advance and stored unfrosted in an airtight container. Frost just before serving for the freshest look and flavor.

More Hot Chocolate Flavored Recipes to Try

• Peppermint Hot Chocolate Affogato
• Boozy Frozen Hot Chocolate
• Peppermint White Hot Chocolate in a Slow Cooker
• 3 Ingredient Hot Chocolate Bread

Thanks to Dunkin’ Donuts for partnering with us on this post!

Tried this recipe? Share your Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Hot Chocolate Frosting with us on Instagram, using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? Find them all right here!

40 Delicious Easter Desserts to Sweeten Your Celebration

Continue Reading 40 Delicious Easter Desserts to Sweeten Your Celebration

34 Decadent Desserts for Valentine’s Day

Continue Reading 34 Decadent Desserts for Valentine’s Day

Nutella Monkey Bread Muffins Recipe

Continue Reading Nutella Monkey Bread Muffins Recipe

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys Recipe

Continue Reading Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys Recipe

Please note that we may earn a commission for some of the above affiliate links. However, products featured are independently selected and personally well-loved by us!