Name: S’mores Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 33 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups white granulated sugar; 1¾ cup all purpose flour; ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1½ teaspoon baking soda; ⅔ cup vegetable oil; 1 cup milk; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 2 eggs; 1 cup hot water or hot coffee; 1 cup white granulated sugar; ⅛ teaspoon salt; 4 egg whites; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 graham crackers, crushed; 2 (1.55 ounce) Hershey bars

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 56 reviews

If you are craving a nostalgic taste of campfires and cozy get-togethers, look no further than this irresistible S’mores Cupcakes Recipe. These cupcakes capture all the charm of classic s’mores, combining moist, rich chocolate cake with a fluffy marshmallow frosting, a crunchy graham cracker topping, and melting chocolate chunks. Every bite gives you that perfect sweet, toasted marshmallow flavor paired with the deep cocoa essence and a little crunch, making these cupcakes an instant crowd-pleaser and a must-make for parties or any time you want to treat yourself with something truly delightful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A top view of multiple baking ingredients arranged neatly on a white marbled surface. There is a large clear glass bowl in the center filled with white sugar. Around it, from top left going clockwise, there is a glass measuring cup with clear water, a glass bowl with white flour, a glass bowl with brown cocoa powder, a white bowl with yellow oil, broken chocolate pieces arranged beside it, a white bowl with egg whites, a few small glass bowls with white powders, a small glass bowl with dark brown vanilla extract, a white bowl with a light brown powder, two brown eggs in a small white dish, a glass measuring cup with milk, and broken graham crackers stacked in the lower left corner. The ingredients are spaced evenly and visually balanced. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are kitchen staples elevated to something special in this recipe. Each item plays a key role in balancing flavors and textures to create the ultimate S’mores Cupcakes Recipe—the cocoa powder brings a deep chocolate richness, the eggs and milk make the cupcakes moist and tender, while the marshmallow frosting with crushed graham crackers finishes them with that signature s’mores flair.

2 cups white granulated sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes just right and aids in the marshmallow frosting’s structure.
1¾ cup all purpose flour: Provides the foundation with a tender crumb.
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives the cupcakes their rich chocolate flavor and deep color.
2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps the cupcakes rise beautifully and stay light.
1½ teaspoon baking soda: Adds extra lift and balances acidity in the batter.
⅔ cup vegetable oil: Keeps the cupcakes wonderfully moist without overpowering flavor.
1 cup milk: Adds tenderness and richness to the batter’s texture.
1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the sweet flavors with a warm, aromatic touch.
2 eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to a perfect cupcake structure.
1 cup hot water or hot coffee: Intensifies the chocolate flavor while keeping the batter smooth.
1 cup white granulated sugar (for frosting): Sweetens the marshmallow frosting and gives it glossy shine.
⅛ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness in the frosting.
4 egg whites: Whipped to fluffy peaks to make the marshmallow frosting light and airy.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting): Adds a subtle, comforting flavor to the marshmallow topping.
4 graham crackers crushed: Adds that essential crunchy and slightly sweet texture on top.
2 1.55 ounce Hershey bars: The classic chocolate finish—broken into pieces to garnish each cupcake.

How to Make S’mores Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Cupcake Batter

First things first, preheat your oven to 350° F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine all your dry ingredients: sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Once everything’s blended, add the oil, milk, and vanilla extract to bring moisture and flavor into the mix. Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing gently each time until just combined. Then, slowly add your hot water or coffee—the heat helps dissolve the cocoa and intensifies the chocolate notes. Be sure to pour gently so your batter stays nice and smooth.

Step 2: Bake the Cupcakes

Fill each cupcake liner just below two-thirds full to allow room for rising without spilling over. Pop them into the oven and bake for about 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the middle cupcake comes out clean. The smell alone will make your mouth water! Once baked, let the cupcakes cool thoroughly before moving on to frosting.

Step 3: Make the Marshmallow Frosting

Next up, let’s create that iconic fluffy marshmallow frosting. Set up a double boiler by placing a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. On low heat, whisk together sugar, salt, and egg whites constantly until the sugar has dissolved, and the mixture feels hot to your fingertip—around five minutes. Remove from heat and pour this mixture into your stand mixer bowl (or a large bowl if whisking by hand). Add vanilla extract, then beat on high speed for about seven minutes. You’ll see stiff, glossy peaks form—this is the magic that will give your cupcakes their cloud-like marshmallow topping.

Step 4: Frost and Garnish

Spoon generous dollops of that fluffy marshmallow frosting over each cooled cupcake. For the perfect finish, you can toast the frosting lightly—either under a broiler for 30 seconds or using a kitchen torch if you have one handy—to give it that golden, slightly caramelized look and flavor. Finally, sprinkle crushed graham crackers on top and place a piece of Hershey’s chocolate bar on each cupcake for the ultimate s’mores experience packed into one bite.

How to Serve S’mores Cupcakes Recipe

A dark metal muffin tray holds 12 paper liners filled evenly with smooth, dark brown chocolate batter, each liner showing a slightly shiny, wet texture. Around the tray, on a white marbled surface, there are several light brown rectangular graham crackers with small holes, three halves of light brown eggshells, and a small stack of Hershey's milk chocolate bars with clear branding. The lighting highlights the textures of the chocolate batter and the cracks in the eggshells, giving the scene a fresh baking preparation feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

The classic toppings of crushed graham crackers and a piece of Hershey’s chocolate complete the look and taste of these cupcakes. But don’t be shy—adding mini toasted marshmallows or a drizzle of melted chocolate over the frosting can take them over the moon. These little touches give each cupcake a personalized and irresistible finish that guests will adore.

Side Dishes

Pair your S’mores Cupcakes Recipe with simple sides that won’t compete but rather complement the rich flavors: fresh berries or a light vanilla ice cream make excellent choices. A warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate also matches perfectly, especially if you want to bring that cozy campfire feeling right to your kitchen table.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to impress? Serve the cupcakes on a wooden board sprinkled with extra crushed graham crackers and chocolate shavings to evoke a rustic, campfire vibe. You could also try layering mini s’mores cupcake parfaits in clear glasses, alternating cupcake crumbs, marshmallow fluff, and melted chocolate for a fun twist on this classic S’mores Cupcakes Recipe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, these cupcakes are best kept in an airtight container at room temperature if consumed within two days. For longer freshness, store them in the refrigerator—just bring them to room temperature before enjoying to get back that perfect soft texture.

Freezing

If you want to make these cupcakes ahead of time, baking and freezing them unfrosted is an excellent option. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge overnight, then frost and decorate. You can also freeze frosted cupcakes by placing them on a tray to freeze solid, then storing in a sealed container. Just be aware the texture of marshmallow frosting might change slightly.

Reheating

To enjoy these cupcakes warm, gently microwave a cupcake for 10 to 15 seconds. Avoid overheating as it can melt the frosting or dry out the cake. This little heat burst really brings out their comfort-food essence, reminiscent of freshly toasted s’mores around the campfire.

FAQs

Can I substitute coffee for the hot water in the cupcake batter?

Absolutely! Using hot coffee instead of water intensifies the chocolate flavor without imparting a strong coffee taste, making your S’mores Cupcakes Recipe even richer.

How do I get the marshmallow frosting to stiff peaks?

The key is temperature and beating time. Make sure the sugar is fully dissolved while warming the egg whites, then beat on high speed until the mixture is glossy and holds stiff peaks. A stand mixer makes this much easier but a hand mixer works too!

Can I use a microwave instead of a double boiler for the frosting?

While a double boiler gives more control and prevents curdling, you can carefully warm the sugar and egg whites in short bursts in the microwave, whisking frequently to avoid cooking the eggs. However, the double boiler method is recommended for best results.

What if I don’t have a kitchen torch for toasting the frosting?

No worries! Simply place the cupcakes under your oven’s broiler for about 30 seconds but watch them closely—they can burn quickly. The slight caramelization adds wonderful flavor and that classic s’mores look.

How long will these cupcakes stay fresh?

If stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container, these cupcakes remain fresh for two days. Refrigeration extends freshness to around five days but might slightly alter the frosting’s texture.

Final Thoughts

Making this S’mores Cupcakes Recipe is like capturing the joy of a campfire treat in an easy-to-share dessert form. Every step is straightforward, every bite delivers the perfect trio of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker, and the smiles you’ll get from serving these are priceless. Whether it’s a special occasion or just a fun baking day, these cupcakes are a deliciously fun way to bring people together. Give this recipe a try—you’ll want to make them again and again!

S’mores Cupcakes Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need