Like Mexican hot chocolate, these "cup" cakes are flavored with spicy cinnamon and bitter cocoa powder, as well as ancho chile pepper. The cakes are baked and served in coffee cups, and have a fudgy hot chocolate layer at the bottom of the cup.

Makes 8 servings.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Nutritional Information

For 1 serving
Calories: 328
Sodium: 191mg
Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 43g
Cholesterol: 32mg
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g

Mexican Hot Chocolate "Cup" Cakes with Cocoa Whipped Cream

Ingredients


Mexican Hot Chocolate "Cup" Cakes:
1 cup flour
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons McCormick® Gourmet Collection Chile Pepper, Ancho
1 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Cinnamon, Saigon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Organic Vanilla Extract, Pure Madagascar or McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
1 cup boiling water

Cocoa Whipped Cream:
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Organic Vanilla Extract, Pure Madagascar or McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions

1. For the Cakes, preheat oven to 350°F. Generously spray 8 (6-ounce) oven proof coffee cups or ramekins with no stick cooking spray with flour or grease and flour cups. Place on large baking sheet.

2. Mix flour, 2/3 cup of the granulated sugar, 4 tablespoons of the cocoa powder, baking powder, ancho chile pepper, cinnamon and salt in large bowl. Stir in milk, oil and vanilla. (Batter will be stiff.) Spoon evenly into prepared cups. Mix remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons cocoa powder in small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over batter. Spoon 2 tablespoons boiling water into each cup. (Do not stir.)

3. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until tops are dry to the touch. Cool cups slightly on wire rack.

4. For the Cocoa Whipped Cream, beat cream and confectioners' sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Add cocoa powder and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Serve cakes in coffee cups while still warm. Dollop with Cocoa Whipped Cream. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon, if desired.

Tips

Make Ahead: Prepare and bake cakes as directed. Store in refrigerator overnight. To reheat cakes, microwave on HIGH 30 to 60 seconds or until heated through.

Test Kitchen Tip: Recipe for Cocoa Whipped Cream can be doubled. Serve remaining whipped cream on other desserts, hot cocoa or coffee beverages.