Hot Fudge in Cupcake Form

I decided last week that I wanted some chocolate cupcakes with cream filling. You know, Hostess Cupcakes. Well, who can find those anymore? Actually I couldn't even find the off-brand. Umm...what's up with that? Eventually, I found Tasty Cakes, and they have that name for a reason. Yay score one for me! However, while I was at the grocery store, I noticed they had cake mix on sale for 99 cents. Who could pass that up? Certainly not me. So, I bought it, and then I bought a few more ingredients. It didn't take long for the idea to hit me. I decided to make Hot Fudge Cupcakes right there in the grocery store!

I know, I know - I used a boxed cake mix to make my cupcakes. Who cares! The point is, I altered it a little and I made the frosting. You can do good things with a boxed cake mix. 

Here's what you need:

• 1 box of devil's food cake mix
• 1 jar of Smuckers Hot Fudge Sundae Sauce
• 2 egg whites
• 2 tblsp of granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup of light corn syrup
• 1/2 tsp banana flavoring
• squeeze bottles

Mix and bake the cake mix as directed. Let the cupcakes cool completely before continuing.

Carefully read the directions of the Hot Fudge Sauce, and heat as instructed. You want the sauce to be runny, but not too liquidy. 

Use a filling tip to fill the inside of the cupcakes with the hot fudge. For those of you that have a filling tip, but don't know how to use it, just insert the tip into the cupcake. While squeezing your piping bag, begin to slowly pull the tip back out of the cupcake. This will give you a nice clean filling. 

If you don't have a filling tip, simply use a small knife to cut a hole in the top of the cupcake. Cut diagonally into the cupcake center to make a circle. This will give you a nice pocket for the filling. The part you cut out of the cupcake should look similar to a [toy] top. Cut the pointed tip of the cut-out piece off, and place the top back on the cupcake [after filling].

To make the frosting, boil the corn syrup for 3 minutes. While the syrup is boiling, beat the egg whites in a medium bowl. Add the sugar, and beat until it starts to peak. Add the vanilla and banana, mix well, then slowly pour the syrup over the mixture - stirring with a long handled spoon. Beat the mixture until you reach your desired thickness. This will take 3-6 minutes, and the frosting will be very similar to royal icing. 

Use a squeeze bottle to top the cupcakes with the remaining hot fudge. 

These cupcakes will be like no other you've ever had. The frosting is a turn off at first, but trust me, it works. The banana flavoring really does the trick.

My sister has actually requested these for her upcoming wedding. Go figure.

Hope you enjoy them!