Chocolate Caramel Hi Hat Cupcakes
Indulge in these fancy yet simple Chocolate Caramel Hi Hat Cupcakes. Once you make these, you’re going to want to dip everything in chocolate.
I’m particularly excited to share today’s recipe because I crossed off an item on my culinary bucket list.
Have you heard of hi hat cupcakes? They are cupcakes with a tall amount of frosting dipped in chocolate, much like a chocolate-dipped ice cream cone you get at most ice cream shops.
Today I’m showing you how easy it really is to make these seemingly fancy Chocolate Caramel Hi Hat Cupcakes.
And if you have fears like I did about the frosting falling off or melting, you don’t need to worry.
When it comes to grocery shopping, I’m all for saving money, but when it comes to chocolate, you need to buy high quality.
Ever buy baking chocolate from the discount grocery store where use a quarter to rent a shopping cart? I did once. Once.
After that mistake, I vowed to only use high quality chocolate.
First you need to gently melt the chocolate. The key is not overheating or rushing it. I made a double boiler by placing a bowl over a pan of simmering water.
Then I melted the chocolate bits until smooth and melted. You can use a thermometer to ensure the temperature is between 100-105F, but if you don’t have one, it reaches the proper temperature right after it’s all completely melted.
Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat and let cool until between 96-98F. If you don’t have a thermometer, let it cool about 10 minutes before dipping.
Not only does the chocolate melt and dip beautifully, I was surprised at how quickly the chocolate set up.
Maybe it’s because the frosting was cold and sped up the process, but they didn’t even make it to the fridge to finish hardening.
You can tell they are ready when the chocolate goes from shiny to dull. I did experiment with the frosting, and yes they need to be refrigerated first.
If you dip them at room temperature, the frosting will melt.
Typically the frosting used for hi hat cupcakes is called 7 minute frosting, which to me almost resembles homemade marshmallow fluff.
And although I’m all for baking from scratch, I knew I wanted to make the process a bit easier and faster.
With 7 minute frosting, you literally beat the mixture for 7 minutes on the stove using a hand mixer. You can’t even use a stand mixer and walk away.
And for someone like me who balances a lot of projects, I wanted to make the most of my time, so I used store bought marshmallow fluff then beat in my homemade caramel sauce.
Not only does using fluff allow you to make the frosting in a shorter amount of time, it allows you to focus more on dipping the cupcakes.
You know the frosting won’t fail where as egg whites can be pretty finicky in 7 minute frosting.
Chocolate Caramel Hi Hat Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 4 ounces) unsalted butter
- 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Frosting
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup marshmallow fluff
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store bought)
- 1 cup chocolate melting disks
Instructions
For the cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a cupcake pan with 12 paper liners.
- In a medium saucepan, melt together the butter and chocolate. Let cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cocoa, flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In another large bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in the melted chocolate. Add about a third of the flour mixture then half of the buttermilk. Add in another third of the flour mixture then the rest of the buttermilk. Add the remaining flour mixture. The batter will be thick.
- Fill each cup about 2/3 full with batter. Bake 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
For the frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, marshmallow fluff, powdered sugar, and salt until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla and caramel sauce then beat for another 2-3 minutes.
- Spoon the frosting into a piping bag with a round tip and frost each cupcake (about 2 1/2 circles). Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until frosting is set and cold.
To dip the cupcakes
- Add about an inch of water to a pan and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat and place a heatproof bowl over top. Add the chocolate disks and gently melt until smooth (temperature should be between 100-105F). Remove from the heat and let cool 10 minutes (temperature should be between 96-98F).
- If needed, transfer melted chocolate to a narrow cup or bowl deep enough to dip a cupcake. Working with one cupcake at a time, dip straight into the chocolate then let excess chocolate drip off. Repeat with each cupcake. Let sit until hardened (the chocolate will go from shiny to dull).
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If you are excited to make these Chocolate Caramel Hi Hat Cupcakes, you may also be excited to make these recipes:
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats
Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownie Cups
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies
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Oh I know I would go crazy for such cupcakes! I have seen them but have never tried making hi hat cupcakes myself.
Your cupcakes are SO cute, Carla! Hi-hats are on my culinary bucket list, too.
These are so fun! We make our Mallomar cupcakes as hi-hat cupcakes, so they’re always fun to make! I’m glad that Chocoley doesn’t require tempering…it can be a huge pain! Love these cupcakes, Carla!
I was SO pleased with their chocolate… I just melted mine in the microwave. It worked beautifully. Fast, and smooth without any clumps. And the taste was fantastic. I love what you used it for – and that picture with the drizzle is outstanding.
I’ve wanted to try my hand at high-hat cupcakes for a long time. I am always afraid the frosting will fall off when I dip them! These sound and look great.
These look fantastic, Carla! I have this same type of cupcake on my culinary list, but hadn’t gotten to them yet. You’ve just inspired me! As for the Chocoley, it looks like very good chocolate. :-)
How amazing. Thank you for such clear instructions. I have never seen a cupcake employing that technique before. These Hi Hats would certainly make you the talk of any PTA bake sale!
SHUTUP CARLA SHUUUUT UP!! I totally wanna dip everything in chocolate starting with these!!! The frosting is seriously just singing to me “Kayleeeeeeee make ussssss eeeeeat uuuuusss” eeeeee
Sounds amazing, Carla. Great chocolate melting tips. Pinned!
This is so cute
Oooooh I’ve always wanted to make hi hat cupcakes because of how darn impressive and awesome they look. Yours are no exception – these are magnificent! Thanks for all the fab tips and beautiful photos.
I love this idea thank you for sharing :-)