S’mores Cupcakes with Smoked Chocolate Ganache

These s’mores cupcakes have been on my mind practically all summer, and they were worth the wait! That classic combination chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows gets me every time. And none of those flavors are left behind in these cupcakes! A graham cracker crust, rich and moist chocolate cake, smoked chocolate filling, and topped with silky whipped cream frosting. If you love s’mores, you need to try these!

When I was a kid we used to go on at least a few camping trips every year, and of course s’mores are an absolute must. Eventually we plan to get a fire pit for our backyard so we can have s’mores all the time! But in the meantime these s’mores cupcakes are a perfect elevated version. Can you imagine these for a fun summer birthday or rustic wedding?

The best part of a s’more is all the pieces coming together just right – it has to be the perfect ratio of marshmallow to graham cracker to chocolate. So let’s chat for a minute about the different components of these cupcakes!

What Makes S’mores Cupcakes Special?

• Graham Cracker Crust: Think classic cheesecake crust, but paired with a chocolate cupcake! So freaking delicious! All it takes is some crushed graham cracker, melted butter and maybe 5 minutes extra time. You’ll just press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner, and enjoy everyone applauding you when they unwrap their cupcake!
• Chocolate Cupcake: Easy, quick, and moist chocolate cupcakes. A classic that’s full of delicious flavor. You guys love all my chocolate recipes, we’re just a bunch of chocoholics over here and I love it! These cupcakes are no different!
• Smoked Chocolate Ganache: In my opinion, a s’more needs just a hint of smokiness (even though I’m a golden brown vs burnt marhmallow gal myself). I brought that into the cupcake with smoked chocolate ganache. I bought these smoked chocolate chips online, but you can also cold smoke chocolate pretty easily at home. Or of course you can use regular chocolate chips too!
• Whipped Cream Frosting: This frosting is so light and airy, just like fluffy marshmallows! And I love that while it has all the marshmallow-like flavor I crave in s’mores, it’s way less sweet. When I was taste testing these, everyone commented on how good this frosting is!

S’mores Cupcakes with Smoked Chocolate Ganache

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• Author: Kirsten Bell
• Prep Time: 40 Minutes
• Cook Time: 15 Minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 Cupcakes 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking

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Description

All the nostalgic flavors of s’mores, in cupcake form!

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Ingredients

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Cupcake Ingredients:

3/4 cup crushed graham crackers, plus more for garnish
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup hot brewed coffee (you can also use hot water if you don’t have coffee)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (one stick), plus 2 Tbsp
1 egg, whisked
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate bar for garnish

Whipped Cream Frosting Ingredients:

1 pint heavy cream
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Smoked Chocolate Ganache Ingredients: 

1/3 cup heavy cream
1 cup smoked chocolate chips

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Instructions

Cupcake Directions

Preheat oven to 350 and line a muffin tin with liners.

In a small pan, heat the butter and water until the mixture is steaming and the butter is melted. Take off the burner and let cool.

Melt 2 Tbs of butter, and mix with crushed graham cracker in a small bowl until combined. Divide the mixture evenly between the cupcake liners, and press the crust into the bottom of each. Bake the graham cracker crust until golden brown, about 5 minutes, and then set aside. 

Whisk together the dry ingredients, flour through baking soda.

Mix together the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla extract. Add the butter mixture once cooled. If the butter mixture is still too hot when you mix these together, the egg will cook. (Believe me, I’ve done it!).

Add the dry ingredients into the now combined wet ingredients in two batches. Fold together until just combined. Pour batter into prepared cupcake tin and bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes – until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.

Smoked Chocolate Ganache Directions:

Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring regularly, until it almost comes to a boil.  Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips in heat safe bowl, and let sit for a few minutes. Stir, and voila! You have ganache! If the chocolate doesn’t completely melt, you can pop it into the microwave for 10 second increments until the chocolate is smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.

When the cupcakes and ganache have both cooled, fill the cupcakes. See notes below.

Frosting Directions: 

Whip the heavy cream until it is thickened and frothy – about 3-5 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue beating until it holds a stiff peak. Frost cooled cupcakes, and garnish with chocolate and graham cracker.

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Notes

Filling cupcakes: I like to let my cupcakes cool to room temp, and then I put them in the refrigerator for about an hour to let them get totally cold. It makes this step a whole lot easier! You can buy fancy cupcake corers, but I just use a 1/4 teaspoon to scoop out a bit of the cupcake in the middle (about 1/3 down into the cupcake), then fill with ganache.

Looking For More Summer Recipes?

• No Bake Oreo Cheesecake
• Homemade Strawberry Shortcakes
• Honey Cake with Peach Mascarpone Frosting