Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Marshmallow Glaze

Yesterday it was close to 30 degrees, and that was the low temperature. For this part of Tejas that's pretty cold! In order to warm up my home, I turn on the oven and the central heat of course.  Cold weather = baking weather!!

Moving around the kitchen

pulling out different canisters

flour, sugar, cake mixes,

small containers of spices,

cinnamon, salt, ....

Hmm, what am I in the mood for? Something cinnamon and chocolate.

I cannot take full credit for the recipe, because I opened my Hungry Girl Cookbook,  200 under 200, and thumbed through till I found a chocolate cupcake recipe.  I like using Hungry Girl cookbooks as a guide for healthy cooking; sometimes, I follow them to a T, but lately I have been changing them up some, giving them my own Latin spice or flair.

The Hungry Girl Cookbook, 200 under 200.

Chocolate Marshmallow Madness Cupcake p. 212  (in case you want to make your own original HG cupcake)

Here is my variation- I added some cinnamon to give it that spice that warms your body.

I also did not have all the healthy low-calorie ingredients, so I managed with what I had.  They are moist, soft, and fluffy.  They taste like a cup of Abuelita Chocolate! Rich and full of flavor.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes with Marshmallow Glaze

Makes 12

For Cupcakes 
2 cups Super-Moist Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
1 packet Hot Cocoa Mix
2 eggs
1/4 Cinnamon Applesauce
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1/8 Tsp salt
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

 For Glaze 
1/2 cup large marshmallows (about 3)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon milk

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix cocoa mix with 1/4 cup of hot water.  Stir until dissolved.  Add 1 cup cold water and stir well.

Combine all dry ingredients in mixer.  Add eggs and applesauce, then cocoa mixture.

Pour into 12-cup muffin pan.  I used both non-stick spray and baking cups.

Bake 20-25 mins until cupcakes spring back when touched or toothpick inserted comes out clean.

I prefer touching them lightly because I don't like holes in my cupcakes, LOL!

Glaze Directions 
Melt butter in a saucepan and add marshmallows.  Once marshmallows are almost melted, add in powdered sugar quickly then the milk.  Stir until combined and immediately top cooled cupcakes.

These actually held well in the refrigerator for about 3 days.

14 Day Blog Post Challenge - Ready to Write

My name is Elsie. I am 29 years old.  I am a Spanish teacher.  I am a mom.  I am a wife.  I am tired most days, sometimes exhausted.  Carpal tunnel syndrome has prevented me from doing many things I love, the top of the list - writing. Writing has always been my passion since my early teen years with pen in hand and journals filled with pages of growing up.  I have not written much in the past years.  I have written many lesson plans and been creative with PowerPoint and scrapbooking but no creative writing.  

I have pain in my fingers that makes me feel as if I am 80 sometimes.  Often when I type, my fingers press keys I did not mean to press, so I spend time looking at spell-check and those red-dotted lines under words. When the cold weather comes, it feels as if an ice has entered my bones and all I crave it warmth.  

Not to the mention, the night pain! I wake up feeling like my hand is shoved in a burning fire or other times, frozen in ice.  Numbness. Tingling.  Not just for a little while, but an hour or longer.  I stare at the red digits on the clock, praying and trying to ignore the pain.  Wiggling my fingers, swinging my arm up and down, hearing my husband snore and trying not to hit him as I move my hand in attempts to "wake it up." 

I feel truly thankful my dr told me I deserve to live a normal life and I am young and can heal fast.  I don't have to take the pain. period.  I understand there is not a 100 % guarantee the surgery will work, but I have heard more positive testimonials than negative ones, so that's inspiring! 

My goal is to write fourteen posts in fourteen days.  Why fourteen?  In two weeks I am scheduled for carpal tunnel syndrome release surgery on my right hand.  I will not be able to type after the surgery for who knows how long? I will be determined to move again, but at the same time, patient to heal and recover in the time necessary. 

For the next weeks leading up to my surgery, I will ignore my pain in my wrist and burning in my knuckles and I will write and post random words on the following topics.  

Cooking/Baking - a favorite past-time.  I cook, because I love to cook for my family.  It brings me a great joy and has an amazing calming effect when it's just me in the kitchen experimenting and trying out new recipes.  

Culture - I am bilingual. I take great pride in being Mexican-American, born in Tejas, land of cattle and oil.  There will be sprinkles of Spanish and stories of a unique rich culture that thrives within me.  

Charm - Charm to me is a sweet voice being kind to you, a listening ear when you need to vent, a helping hand when you most need it, and some good comfort food prepared with love. 

Charm is class, having good manners, and dressing with style respectfully.  Shining with a smile and a sparkle in your eyes.  

Always letting your light shine before others. 
Psalm 97:11 
11 Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.