The thrilling energy of football season is upon us once again! Today, we’re incredibly excited to team up with Cakes.com to bring you a fantastic new recipe that’s absolutely perfect for all your homegating festivities and game day celebrations.
Gear Up for Game Day: Ultimate Homegating & Tailgating Treats
As we delve deeper into another exhilarating NFL season, the excitement is palpable. It’s that wonderful time of year when friends and family gather, united by a shared passion for their favorite teams. From spirited rivalries and the thrilling roar of the crowd to those quirky, fanatical superstitions (which, let’s be honest, only seem crazy until they actually work!), game day is an experience like no other. Whether you bleed your team’s colors proudly from your couch or at a full-blown tailgate party, one thing is certain: you need an impressive spread of delicious food and refreshing drinks to keep your homegating crew fueled and happy throughout every quarter.
Forget the stress of elaborate dishes. This season, elevate your game day menu with a dessert that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and the MVP of your snack table. Introducing our irresistible NFL Game Day Cupcakes – a treat so delightful, they might just steal the spotlight from the game itself!
Score Big with Our Chocolate Marshmallow Game Day Cupcakes
Who could possibly resist the allure of a perfectly moist, rich chocolate cupcake, crowned with a cloud of fluffy, homemade marshmallow frosting, and then lovingly dipped into a glistening, silky chocolate coating? These aren’t just any cupcakes; they’re an experience! Imagine a decadent chocolate-covered marshmallow nestled atop a soft, cocoa-infused cake – it’s a double win in one bite. We’re baking these beauties in sleek black foil wrappers, then personalizing them with vibrant, team-colored sprinkles and officially licensed football-themed toppers, all thanks to our fantastic partners at Cakes.com.
Creating professional-looking football party cupcakes at home has never been easier. Cakes.com offers an extensive and impressive line of officially licensed NFL products designed to transform your homemade treats into stadium-worthy masterpieces. Whether you’re looking for classic NFL Brown Football Cupcake Rings or the highly sought-after NFL Football Helmet Cupcake Rings featuring any team your heart desires, you’ll find everything you need and more. These aren’t just for show; these are the very same high-quality NFL cupcake toppers trusted by your favorite local bakeries, now conveniently available online for you. This makes it incredibly simple for any home baker to whip up the ultimate game day dessert spread that will impress every fan.
Don’t let their stunning appearance intimidate you – these Football Party Cupcakes are surprisingly simple to tackle! The NFL Football Helmet Cupcake Rings not only add instant team spirit but also provide a playful flair that guests can keep as a memento long after the last crumb is gone. Who says team rings are only for the kids? Game day calls for cheering on our team and feeding our eager fans with delicious treats. So, get ready to pass around these incredible chocolate marshmallow cupcakes and start planning your victory dance!
The Recipe: NFL GAMEDAY CUPCAKES
This DIY recipe, crafted by Carrie Sellman, yields 24 decadent cupcakes, perfect for any gathering. Follow these steps to create your own batch of football party essentials.
For the Irresistible Chocolate Cupcakes:
(Yields 24 cupcakes)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for a rich, deep chocolate flavor)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk (adds incredible moisture and tenderness)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional, but highly recommended to enhance chocolate flavor)
- ⅔ cup boiling water
- Black Foil Cupcake Wrappers (for that sleek, professional look)
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). Place a kettle of water on the stove to boil. Line two standard muffin tins with 24 Black Foil Cupcake Wrappers.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all the dry ingredients: sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk them together until uniformly distributed.
- To the dry mixture, add the wet ingredients: eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and the optional espresso powder. Mix on medium speed for two minutes, ensuring the batter becomes smooth and well-combined.
- Carefully pour the boiling water into the batter. Mix on low speed until just combined. The batter will be thin, which is perfectly normal for a moist chocolate cake. Do not overmix.
- Evenly scoop about ¼ cup of the thin batter into each of the 24 prepared cupcake wrappers, filling them about two-thirds full.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for the first 7 minutes. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for another 10-11 minutes, for a total baking time of approximately 18 minutes. The cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool in the muffin tins for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them to a wire rack. Ensure they cool completely before you begin the assembly process. Cooling completely is crucial for the frosting and coating to set properly.
For the Fluffy Marshmallow Frosting:
- 1 cup water (divided)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, sprinkle the gelatin powder over ½ cup of cold water. Allow it to bloom and soften for 5-10 minutes. This process is essential for the gelatin to dissolve smoothly.
- In a small saucepan, combine the remaining ½ cup of water with the sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a rolling boil. Continue to heat until a candy thermometer reads 240 degrees Fahrenheit (115°C) – the soft ball stage. This precise temperature is key to the frosting’s stability and texture. Remove the pan from the heat immediately.
- With your stand mixer running on low speed, carefully and slowly pour the hot sugar syrup into the gelatin mixture in the mixing bowl. Once all the syrup is added, increase the mixer speed to high and whip for approximately 10 minutes, or until the mixture transforms into a thick, glossy, and wonderfully fluffy marshmallow creme. It should hold stiff peaks. Use this frosting immediately, as it will begin to set as it cools.
For the Silky Chocolate Coating:
- 24 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (high quality will make a difference)
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil (helps create a smooth, dippable consistency)
Combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Remove the bowl and stir the mixture thoroughly. Repeat this process – heating for 30 seconds at 50% power and stirring – until the chocolate is completely melted, smooth, and beautifully glossy. Be very careful not to overheat the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize. Allow the chocolate coating to cool slightly to room temperature before dipping the cupcakes; if it’s too hot, it will melt the marshmallow frosting.
Assembly: Bringing Your Game Day Cupcakes to Life!
To personalize and perfect your NFL Game Day Cupcakes, you’ll need a few essential items:
- NFL Brown Football Cupcake Rings
- NFL Football Helmet Cupcake Rings
- Jimmie Sprinkles in your team’s colors (for that personalized touch!)
- Disposable Pastry Bag
- Large Round Piping Tip #806 or #807 (for perfect frosting swirls)
Once your chocolate cupcakes are baked to perfection and completely cooled, prepare the marshmallow frosting as directed above. Immediately spoon the freshly made, fluffy frosting into a prepared piping bag fitted with your chosen large round pastry tip. Working quickly is key here, as the marshmallow frosting will begin to set.
Pipe a generous and appealing swirl of marshmallow frosting onto the top of each cooled cupcake. Aim for a nice, high swirl that will provide a substantial base for the chocolate coating.
It’s best to pipe the frosting onto all of your cupcakes before moving on to the next step. Once all cupcakes are frosted, place them into the freezer for approximately 10 minutes. This brief chill time is crucial; it helps the marshmallow frosting firm up, making it much easier to dip into the chocolate coating without losing its shape, while you prepare your chocolate coating according to the recipe instructions.
Pour your melted and slightly cooled chocolate coating into a narrow but deep bowl. A ramekin or a tall mug works perfectly for this, as it allows for an even dip with minimal chocolate. You can refill the bowl as needed to maintain a good dipping depth.
Retrieve several cupcakes from the freezer at a time. Hold one cupcake upside down, grasping the base firmly, and gracefully dip the frosted top into the prepared chocolate coating. This is where the magic truly happens!
Carefully pull the cupcake back up and out of the chocolate. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off gently back into the bowl, ensuring a clean and even coating. Then, promptly set the cupcake upright onto a clean surface or a wire rack.
Immediately after dipping, while the chocolate is still wet, liberally sprinkle with jimmies in your chosen team’s colors. The wet chocolate will act as an adhesive, ensuring the sprinkles stick perfectly.
Finally, position an NFL Football Helmet Cupcake Ring right on top of the cupcake. Within minutes, the chocolate coating will set, firming up the marshmallow frosting and completing your festive game day treat!
Continue the process: dip another cupcake in the luscious chocolate, sprinkle it with your team’s jimmies, and top it with an NFL Brown Football Cupcake Ring for variety and extra football flair.
Repeat these steps until all 24 of your delicious Football Party Cupcakes are dipped, decorated, and ready for action. Serve them proudly to your fellow fans and enjoy the sweet taste of victory – whether your team wins or not!
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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Cakes.com. The opinions expressed are 100% mine. Tutorial, styling, and photography by Carrie Sellman for TheCakeBlog.com.