‘A Little Help from My Friends’ Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes with Whipped Chocolate Frosting

Sweet Little ‘G’… who happens to be a big fan of Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes.  (Notice she ate the ENTIRE cupcake…. but left the blueberries!)

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I like to use the title ‘A Little Help from My Friends’ when a recipe utilizes prepared mixes etc.  With ‘A Little Help from My Friends’ you can whip up something delicious in very little time – yet the result tastes as if you’d ‘slaved away’ !!

My recipe for Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes with Whipped Chocolate Frosting includes a chocolate cake mix prepared with raspberry jam.  Your friends and family will be surprised to learn the delicious chocolate frosting is simply whipped topping mixed with cocoa powder and vanilla.

For a more ‘adult taste, you can add some Chambord liqueur – OR – add a few tablespoons of dark rum.  As they say in New York City, “What’s not to like!?”

Today is Valentine’s Day and I plan to share some of my Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes with Whipped Chocolate Frosting with friends as a special Valentine’s treat.   Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you.

INGREDIENTS  FOR CUPCAKES         Yield = 18 large cupcakes     For 24 cupcakes, fill  sections with less cake mix 

• one Dark Chocolate cake mix… prepared according to directions
• 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
• +++  If adding Chambord or dark rum  – substitute 1/4 cup Chambord or dark rum for 1/4 cup of the water.  ++  Up to 1/2 cup Chambord or dark rum can be substituted for water.

Prepare Dark Chocolate cake mix according to directions – but remove 2 Tbs. water from the amount of water called for in the recipe.  Add 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam. Mix cupcake batter on low to blend ingredients – then beat 2 minutes until batter is smooth. Line cupcake tins with cupcake liners OR lightly grease each section.  Fill each section 3/4s full.   Bake cupcakes according to package directions.  

++ I find it really helps to use a small measuring cup to scoop out the batter and fill the sections.

++  The cupcakes liners I used are called ‘Parchment Lotus Cups’.  They’re sold by ‘PaperChef’.

Remove cupcakes from baking pan and allow to cool on a rack for 20 – 25 minutes – or until cupcakes no longer feel warm.    ++  To test if cupcakes are done, insert a sharp knife or toothpick into the center. If knife or toothpick comes out clean – the cupcakes are ready.

INGREDIENTS FOR WHIPPED CHOCOLATE FROSTING

• 2 (8 oz.) containers of ‘Cool Whip’ whipped topping
• 6 Tbs. cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Place 2 (8 oz.) containers of ‘Cool Whip’ whipped topping into a medium-sized bowl, along with 5 – 6 Tbs. cocoa powder and 1 tsp. vanilla extract in a medium-sized bowl. Mix with a large spoon until well-combined.     ++  A bit of confectionery/powdered/ icing sugar can be added if you wish.  Spread whipped frosting on cupcakes and that’s it.    Talk about ‘Quick, Easy and Good’    Enjoy!