Skor S'mores Cupcakes

Skor S'mores Cupcakes

My 16 year old takes the reigns for today's new cupcake recipe; it was completely her idea. Long gone are the days when Olivia asks permission to bake, she just takes things into her own hands. I was working away upstairs the other day when the scent of something delicious starting wafting up from the kitchen. I yelled from the top of the stairs to ask what it was but the only reply was "Cupcakes!" An hour or so later I was presented with one of these delicious little beauties.

Olivia is very fond of s'mores and practically anything with a graham cracker crumb crust. I thought it was a clever idea to actually incorporate a graham cracker crumb crust into the cupcake. It really does make a really nice textural contrast and is quite tasty too. Chocolate chips are also incorporated into the batter and it really doesn't matter that they sink tot he bottom because they sit on top of the bottom crust to provide a rich chocolate layer. A sprinkle of Skor toffee chips on top along with the torched or broiled marshmallows  and a piece of graham cracker finish these pretty little cupcakes that I think look good enough to sit in a bakery window. Ya did good kiddo.

What a great addition they would make to any kid's celebration party but you'd better make a double batch, the adults are just not going to pass these up.

Makes 12 cupcakes

Start by making a graham wafer base for your cupcakes. Mix together well:

• 3/4 cup graham wafer crumbs
• 1 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp melted butter

Spoon the  crumbs evenly into the bottoms of a paper lined cupcake pan and press them down firmly into the bottom.

Next, prepare the chocolate cake.


 Chocolate Cake

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp cocoa
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup soured milk (1 tsp vinegar in 1/2 cup milk)
• 1/2 cup black coffee
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat with electric mixer for 2 minutes.
Spoon evenly into the prepared cupcake pans.

• 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Sprinkle each cupcake with a few of the chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before spreading on the chocolate ganache.

Chocolate Ganache

In a double boiler melt together until smooth but not overheated:

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 ounce of whipping cream

Spread a thin layer over each cupcake then sprinkle each cupcake with about

1/2 to 1 tsp Skor toffee chips

Add a few:

• minature marshmallows 

to the top of each cupcake and brown with a butane kitchen torch or by watching them carefully on a rack about 6 inches from the broiler. Don't overdo it. A little color is all you need.

Garnish each cupcake with a small piece of graham cracker if you like.

Skor S'mores Cupcakes

Banana Nutella Ganache Cupcakes

Banana Nutella Ganache Cupcakes

What a great way to beat the mid week blues...and a great way to use those speckled bananas o the counter top too. Great for after school snacks or to pack in lunchboxes, these moist cupcakes get dipped in a rich, chocolatey Nutella ganache glaze to finish them off to pretty perfection.

Makes about 18 cupcakes

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, beaten 
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 medium bananas. mashed
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease muffin pans well or use paper liners if you prefer.

Beat sugar and oil in a bowl. Add eggs, vanilla and mashed banana.

Sift together dry ingredients and fold into banana mixture alternately with orange juice. 

Spoon the batter into the cupcake pans, filling them about 2/3 full. Bake for 15- 20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack before dipping the tops of the cupcakes into the Nutella Ganache Glaze.

Nutella Ganache Glaze 

In a double boiler over medium low heat, melt together:

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup whipping cream

When smooth, remove from the heat. You do not want to overheat the chocolate.

Using an electric mixer, blend in:

• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 2 -3 tbsp milk

You may need to add a little more milk if your glaze seems too thick. Transfer the glaze into a small narrow bowl. This makes it easier to dip the cupcakes. Dip the tops of the cupcakes into the glaze, giving them a 180 degree twist to create the swirl on top before pulling them out of the ganache. Allow the ganache to set for an hour or so before serving. Store in an airtight plastic container.

Banana Nutella Ganache Cupcakes

BOOK REVIEW + A GIVEAWAY: Sweet Secrets Real Food Cupcakes!

Photo Credit: © California Country Gal

CUPCAKES!!!  Who doesn't love them?  And frosting?  Swoon, I am definitely a frosting kind of gal, I love it, and I love lots of it.  Yes, you will find me scraping the bowl after the frosting is made and eating up every last bit.  I will share the spatula with Little Love and my husband though, sharing with those you love is a must.

I was so excited when Annabelle from California Country Gal contacted me about her new cookbook, SWEET SECRETS Real Food Cupcakes!  I couldn't wait to look through it and see all of the recipes.  It's filled with so many creative cupcake and frosting recipes.  Not to mention the photos of the cupcakes ... mouth-watering, lip-smaking, makes you wish you had a cupcake in hand.  

Photo Credit: © California Country Gal
Black Forest Cupcakes

This beautiful cookbook is filled with Real, Whole Food based recipes with awesome ingredients like almonds, shredded coconut, sweet potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, apples, beets, coconut palm sugar, eggs, butter ... just to name a few.  The recipes are Paleo Friendly, Grain Free, Gluten Free and Low Glycemic.  There's something for everyone in this cookbook.  These caught my eye ... Black Forest Cupcakes, Caramel Cheesecake Cupcakes, Chocolate Soufflé Cupcakes, Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes, Devil’s Food Cupcakes, Key Lime Cupcakes, Lemon Meringue Cupcakes, Old Fashioned Yellow Cupcakes, Peaches'n Cream Cupcakes, S’morelicious Cupcakes and Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes.

Photo Credit: © California Country Gal
Caramel Cheesecake Cupcakes

Oh my goodness, the caramel for these Cheesecake Cupcakes is amazing!  Yum, yum, yum!!!

Photo Credit: © California Country Gal
S'morelicious Cupcakes

If you love cupcakes (who doesn't?), then you've got to check out Annabelle's cookbook SWEET SECRETS.  The paperback and Kindle version are for sale through Amazon* and through Annabelle's blog, California Country Gal.  

*** And for one lucky winner, Annabelle is graciously offering a signed copy of 
SWEET SECRETS!  See below for details and enter the GIVEAWAY. ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

If you haven't visited Annabelle's blog CALIFORNIA COUNTRY GAL, go check it out.

NOTE: I received a review Ebook copy of SWEET SECRETS, but all opinions are my own.  

*Amazon links are affiliate links, prices are the same for you.  Should you decide to purchase through my blog, thank you in advance and much gratitude for supporting Recipes to Nourish.