Fauxstess Cupcakes

(I'm not a decorator and this was my attempt at doing the curly cues....next time I'll get the gel icing to do it)

2/3 cup cocoa
1 cup boiling water

Mix cocoa into water and let cool.

To cool mixture add:

1 tsp vanilla

¾ cup mayonnaise (you can use fat free if you want to)

Mix until smooth.

2 cups flour, or regular

1 cup sugar

1 ¼ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

Combine dry ingredients in mixer. Beat in cocoa mixture for 1 minute. (This batter might be thin but not always.) Bake 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until cupcakes are set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes then set on rack to finish cooling.

Filling recipe

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar

3 tsp pure vanilla extract

3tbs heavy cream (if needed, may also use milk)

1 cup marshmallow creme

Combine all ingredients together.  If it is too thick, add some cream, if it is too thin, add more powdered sugar.  You want it thin enough to be able to squeeze in the cupcakes, but not too thick, kind of like a soft frosting.

Once the cupcakes are cool, fill them with the filling. 

The way I did this was by using my hubby's marinade needle. 

 You can use a small decorator tip too. Just put it into the the top of the cupcake, insert it a bit inside, the squeeze the filling until it comes out the top a bit. Don't worry about this because the chocolate coating covers it. I squeezed it into a few spots in the cupcakes so I could make sure and have enough filling.

Once you have them filled, it's time for the chocolate topping.  this is super easy!

Topping

1 cup chocolate chips

2 tbsp. shortening

combine in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir.  Microwave again for 30 seconds and stiff well.  Then microwave in 10 second increments until all the chips are melted.  Stirring well between each.

Now spread the topping on the cupcakes.  It doesn't have to bee pretty, but if you want it smooth, feel free to smooth it out.  Let the chocolate set for a while and it will harden.

Feel free to decorate how you like.  I did both sprinkles and attempted to write and make pictures.  I would suggest that you use the left over frosting to make the pictures/words but add some more sugar to thicken it up (i was lazy and didn't but should have)  Make sure and add the sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.  I did some.  You can do these for any holiday.  I had some leftover Valentine, Halloween, and Christmas that I  threw on.  These would also be great for a themed event like a wedding, shower, party or whatever.  Easy to decorate how you want.  You can add some food coloring to the frosting too.

This is the center.  If you like lots of filling, make sure and squeeze it into several spots.

This is me enjoying a cupcake.....i may or may not have already eaten several at this point...(it was my free day on this diet game I'm doing with a friend so I made sure and took advantage of it)