Chocolate Cupcakes with Chili Powder and Cream Cheese Frosting

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Be prepared to wow all your guests, coworkers, neighbors, friends, and family! These chocolate cupcakes with chili powder and cream cheese frosting are in a category of their own! Everyone will be asking what is in it and leftovers will not exist! Let me know in the comments if you make it!

Why Put Chili Powder in Cupcakes?

The original inspiration for this recipe was a chili cookoff that we were invited to. At the time, I was really interested in creating my own recipes. I had the idea to make something other than chili to take and it hit me…cupcakes with spices and heat! I mentioned it to my husband and he was immediately sold on the idea. We had never had anything like this before, so I took it as a challenge and ran with it.

As we made this recipe, we kept debating on ingredients. What flavors would balance well and not leave you with the actual taste of a bowl of chili? We decided the basic chili powder was too much for this sweet treat, so we chose ancho chile powder, which has a more “smoky” and “sweet” flavor.

We also wanted to add to the heat of the cupcake, so mild cayenne was added as well. Of course, you can up the spice to your desire, we just preferred to keep it low since a variety of people would be trying them.

Another dilemma was the topping for the frosting. I didn’t like the look of just plain frosting, so my husband had an amazing idea. Red pepper flakes! It was genius! The flakes give the look of sprinkles but tied in well with the theme. They also gave the cupcakes the perfect fall look, which is when the chili cookoff was scheduled.

All these flavors aren’t usually typical for a dessert, but don’t let the ingredients scare you away from trying this recipe! Chocolate cupcakes with chili powder were the impeccable choice for a crowd-pleasing sweet treat! I hope you enjoy!

Equipment Needed

• 24 Cup Muffin Pan
• Stand Mixer or Electric Hand Mixer
• Bowls for Mixing

Ingredients

For Cupcakes:

• Butter – Go for the real thing here! You can always substitute this to make it vegan, but the end result may differ.
• Granulated Sugar – I used raw cane sugar here, but white granulated is fine as well.
• Eggs
• Vanilla Extract
• All -Purpose Flour
• Baking Soda
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Cocoa Powder
• Ancho Chile Powder – I find this at my local Kroger store, or online.
• Cayenne Pepper Powder – I like to use a milk cayenne pepper powder for this recipe.
• Milk – I used whole milk.
• Boiling Water

For the Frosting:

• Unsalted Butter – I don’t recommend substituting real butter for this frosting.
• Cream Cheese
• Confectioners’ Sugar – Powdered Sugar
• Ancho Chile Powder – Trust me, it is delicious!
• Cayenne Pepper Powder – Mild works best!
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla Extract
• Red Pepper Flakes – This makes the cupcake have the look of sprinkles.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a 24 cup muffin pan with paper liners, or grease with cooking spray.

Step 2: In a stand mixer, or with an electric mixer, mix together the butter and granulated sugar on medium for about 20 seconds, or until roughly mixed.

Step 3: Add in the eggs and 1 TSP of vanilla and mix until combined.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ancho chile powder, and cayenne pepper.

Step 5: Slowly alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the butter/sugar mixture on medium speed.

Step 6: Once combined, carefully add the boiling water on low speed.

Step 7: Fill each cupcake liner 3/4 full with batter.

Step 8: Bake for 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 9: Allow cupcakes to rest in pan for 5 minutes after removing from oven, then remove from pan and allow to cool completely on cooling rack.

Step 10: When cupcakes are cool, make the frosting.

Step 11: In a stand mixer, or with an electric hand mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese on medium/high for about 3 minutes, until fluffy.

Step 12: Slowly add in the powdered sugar, ancho chile powder, cinnamon, cayenne, and vanilla. Mix until fluffy and spreadable.

Step 13: Spread the frosting onto each cupcake and garnish with red pepper flakes, if desired. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to tag me on Instagram @simpleinthemodern.

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