I made these dressed up cupcakes last week and was happily surprised with how pretty they turned out. I used this awesome decorating tool from pampered chef that I bought years ago. It was so fun playing around to find the perfect look for these rich mocha sweet treats.

(please click to enlarge)

Easy Dressed Up Mocha Cupcakes by Heather McCullah

1 box duncan hines cake mix (swiss chocolate flavor)

1 cup prepared coffee (cooled off)

1/4 cup of milk (1%, 2% or whole)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

1/4 cup chocolate chips

Mix all the ingredients with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.

Fold in 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (semi sweet are perfect). Pour into prepared muffin tins and bake as directed on the box.

Frosting:

1 tub cream cheese frosting

1 tub dark chocolate frosting

1/2 tsp instant coffee

Jazz up your store bought frosting by mixing a cream cheese flavored tub of frosting with 3 – 4 tbsps of dark chocolate frosting. Then add in 1/2 a teaspoon of instant coffee. Mix well. Decorate using a pastry tip or flat knife and add a few chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles for an elegant finish! I bought the little red rose candies at a local pastry shop. So cute huh?!

Variation:

Add in a tablespoon or two of coffee flavored liquer to the batter (before baking) & to the frosting for a really unique & rich flavor.