s'mores cupcakes please

I have a big appreciation for S'mores. Being an import to the US I've only gotten to know the beauty of a s'more in the last 10 years and of course I am a fan. I've been craving s'mores this summer but since I don't have a bonfire to go to on a regular basis I found another way to get the taste of gooey marshmallow, buttery grahams and decadent chocolate. This recipe is adapted from one that was on Martha Stewart but I used cake mix and soda to try and cut the calories a little. 

Recipe makes 24 full size cupcakes.

Heat your oven to 350F and line 2 cupcake tins with cupcake liners. 

Part 1 - Graham Cracker Base

2 packets of graham crackers (not two boxes I mean the packages inside the box. 

1/4 cup of sugar

1/3 cup of melted butter

Smash up the graham crackers and then mix in the melted butter and sugar. Once combined put about 2 tablespoons of crumbs into each cupcake. Then take a small glass and even out the crumbs about 1/4 inch thick). Save a little to sprinkle on the cupcakes at the end. 

Part 2 - Chocolate Shavings

2 7oz bars of premium chocolate. 

Using a small knife finely chop the chocolate and put about 1 tablespoon in each cupcake on top of the graham layer. Save a little chocolate to sprinkle on top of the finished cakes. 

Bake the graham cracker bases with the chocolate on top for about 6 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. The chocolate on top will just be softened slightly - that's okay. Take these out of the oven then start on the cake part of the cupcake leaving the graham crackers with a chance to cool. 

Part 3 - Cake mix

1 box of cake mix

1 can of soda

I used the old soda trick to cut the calories in these cupckaes. It's actually the first time i have done this and the only difference i noticed was that the next day the cupcakes seemed to shrink away from the paper. So if you are using this recipe and want these to be ultra presentable make them the day of. 

Add the cake mix on top of the base and fill holes to about 3/4 full. 

Part 4 - Frosting

1 7oz jar of Marshmallow Fluff

3/4 - 1 cup of powdered sugar

1 cup of butter

Mix it all up and while it's nice and soft pipe it onto the top of your cupcakes. Garnish cupcakes with leftover crumbs and chocolate. 

Part 5 - EAT!

PARTY ON  - LINK PARTIES!!

m.i.a.

I haven't been posting lately for a few reasons - little vacation, potty training and 3 days a week in grad school. I have a few fun things I am planning so I'm looking forward to sharing those. Watch this space :)