Description
Festive and fun chocolate cupcakes inspired by the Catalan Christmas tradition of Caga Tió, decorated with playful faces and red hats to delight both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional for extra filling)
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Red food coloring
- Mini marshmallows (for decoration)
- Black and white fondant or icing pens (for face details)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Add eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually stir in boiling water. The batter will be thin—this is normal.
- (Optional) Fold in chocolate chips for a richer center.
- Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before decorating.
- For frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Add confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract; beat until fluffy.
- Divide frosting and tint part of it red using food coloring.
- Decorate cooled cupcakes with frosting to resemble a log face.
- Use red frosting or mini marshmallows to create the red hat.
- Add face details with fondant or icing pens.
Notes
- Add peppermint extract to the frosting for a festive flavor.
- Insert caramel or Nutella into the center for a surprise filling.
- Top with crushed candy canes for crunch and holiday flair.
- Use red fondant hats instead of frosting if preferred.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Catalan-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg