Hi-Hat Cupcakes | browneyedbaker.com #recipe

I have been trying to make hi-hat cupcakes for the better part of a year. Seriously.

They are such beautiful cupcakes with their big swirls and chocolate coating, but have been totally elusive to me. I’ve tried countless versions and just couldn’t get the right consistency for the frosting so that it stood tall and didn’t droop into a puddle once it was dipped in the chocolate. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was when these came to fruition last weekend… finally!

Hi-Hat Cupcakes | browneyedbaker.com #recipe

There are three key components to hi-hat cupcakes:

1) Chocolate cupcakes (I used my all-time favorite recipe, naturally);

2) A stiff marshmallow frosting; and

3) A magic shell-like chocolate coating.

Hi-Hat Cupcakes | browneyedbaker.com #recipe

These cupcakes always remind me of going to the local soft serve stand as a kid; one of their most popular options was the chocolate-dipped cone. If you replace the cupcake bottom with a cake cone, it’s exactly what those treats looked like.

There’s no better feeling than conquering something that has give you fits, am I right? These fantastic cupcakes were well worth all of the failed attempts; practice makes perfect, as my mom would say!

If you like chocolate, marshmallow frosting and pretty things, you have to make these!

Hi-Hat Cupcakes | browneyedbaker.com #recipe

One year ago: Rocky Road Rice Krispies Treats
Two years ago: Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce and Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes
Four years ago: Guacamole
Six years ago: Homemade Pita Bread

Hi Hat Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes with a marshmallow frosting and dipped in a hard chocolate coating.
4.50 (6 ratings)

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

  • 3 ounces (85.05 g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • â…“ cup (28.67 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • ¾ cup (177.75 ml) hot coffee
  • ¾ cup (93.75 g) bread flour
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
  • ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking soda
  • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

  • 1¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 egg whites, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup (62.5 ml) water
  • ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) cream of tartar
  • 1½ teaspoons (1.5 teaspoons) vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Coating:

  • 12 ounces (340.2 g) semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions 

  • Make the Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard-size muffin pan with liners. Place the chopped chocolate and cocoa powder in a medium bowl. Pour the hot coffee over the mixture and whisk until smooth. Refrigerate mixture for 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl; set aside.
  • Whisk the oil, eggs, vinegar and vanilla extract into the cooled chocolate mixture until smooth. Add the flour mixture and whisk until smooth.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the muffin pan cups. Bake until the cupcakes are set and just firm to the touch, 17 to 19 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the pan and place on the wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • Make the Frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk together the sugar, egg whites, water and cream of tartar. Set the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and whisk until sugar is dissolved and the mixture reaches 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Transfer the bowl to a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and beat on high speed until the frosting forms stiff peaks, about 12 to 16 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and beat until combined.
  • Transfer the frosting to a large pastry bag fitted with a ½-inch round decorating tip (I used an Ateco #808 tip). Pipe a high swirl of frosting onto the top of each cupcake. Transfer the cupcakes to a baking sheet and refrigerate while preparing the chocolate coating.
  • Make the Chocolate Coating: Combine the chocolate and oil in a medium heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until melted and smooth. Transfer to a small (deep) bowl, and cool to room temperature.
  • Holding each cupcake by its bottom, quickly dip each cupcake into the chocolate to coat the frosting, and place on a wire rack. Let the cupcakes stand at room temperature 15 minutes, then refrigerate for 30 minutes uncovered. Place in a covered container and refrigerate 2 additional hours before serving. Cupcakes can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 475kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 170mg, Potassium: 285mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 46g, Vitamin A: 55IU, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 2.8mg

Did you make this recipe?

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