Naughty & Nice Cupcakes
These Naughty & Nice Cupcakes combine rich chocolate flavor with a playful spicy twist. Perfect for parties or special occasions, they’re moist, flavorful, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (or homemade chocolate cupcake batter)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water or milk
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder (for frosting or dusting)
- Red chili flakes or decorative candies (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, combine chocolate cake mix, eggs, oil, and water or milk. Mix until well combined.
- Add cinnamon and cayenne pepper (if using) to the batter and stir until smooth.
- Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with batter.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
- Add vanilla extract and gradually mix in powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Frost the cooled cupcakes generously with the cream cheese frosting.
- Dust with cocoa powder or top with red chili flakes or decorative candies, if desired.
- Serve immediately or store until ready to enjoy.
Notes
Omit cayenne and chili flakes for a kid-friendly version.Adjust spice level by increasing or decreasing cayenne to taste.For extra richness, add a pinch of espresso powder to the batter.Use chocolate ganache or spiced buttercream for a different frosting twist.Store frosted cupcakes in the fridge for up to 5 days.Unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Find it online: https://cookibly.com/naughty-nice-cupcakes/
