Looking for hot chocolate cupcakes with a little something extra? Think marshmallow piles, candy cane handles and tall frosting swirls.
These pictures give you plenty of decorating inspo, from simple toppings to cupcakes dressed up like tiny mugs.
You can keep things simple or go all out. A few pictures show filling stages or other cupcake styles rather than finished cocoa-themed cakes, so take those as extra inspiration rather than recipes.
Cupcake ideas with marshmallows, swirls and festive details
cupcakes in mugs
We’re starting off strong with these cute cupcakes tucked into brown-and-cream mugs. I love the tall pale frosting swirls with their brown dusting.
A single mini marshmallow sits right on top.
Read also: 18 Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drink and Garnish Ideas
Try setting a finished cupcake in a suitably sized mug for serving rather than assuming the mug belongs in the oven.
marshmallow piles and stripes
How cute is this? A wide ring of light brown frosting holds a whole little pile of marshmallows.
The red-and-white striped decoration adds that cocoa-cup look without a handle.
For your own version, choose an edible striped stick if you want the topping to be something guests can eat.
candy cane handle
I am obsessed with this little mug-inspired cupcake. The red liner and candy cane at the side are so cute together.
White frosting, marshmallows, chocolate chips and striped candy pieces fill the top. Keep the bright red liner if you want to follow this look.
takeaway cup presentation
Want something a little different from a cupcake liner? This photo shows plain cake tops sitting low inside tall white takeaway-style cups, with black lids on the cups behind them.
It’s an unfinished presentation rather than a decorated chocolate cupcake. If you borrow the idea, place baked cakes in food-safe serving cups.
Ordinary takeaway cups aren’t automatically oven-safe.
gingerbread and snowflakes
OMG, how adorable are these little red mug designs? I love the white snowflakes and smiling gingerbread-shaped toppers.
The dark topping drips over the edges, with tiny white marshmallow-like pieces scattered around. For a cupcake adaptation, try a gingerbread-shaped topper and a candy cane handle in a red liner.
Read also: 20 Holiday Party Invitations and Festive Design Ideas to Save
a simple white swirl
If you are looking for something without lots of decorations, this one is for you. A white frosting swirl sits above the dark cake, with a fine brown dusting across the ridges.
You could use cocoa powder for your own dusting. No extra candy needed.
extra-tall frosting
This is a closer look at the mug presentation above, but that tall swirl deserves a little attention. I love how the brown dusting catches along the pale frosting ridges.
Keep the single marshmallow on top if you’d rather let the piping be the main decoration.
golden swirls and candy
This golden frosting is such a pretty change from white. The cupcake has an amber-colored candy piece on top with pale flakes scattered around it.
The picture doesn’t establish a hot cocoa flavor, but you could borrow the decoration for a caramel-inspired variation. I’d serve the cupcakes separately rather than copy the stacked arrangement.
toasted marshmallow topper
The toasted marshmallow fans are going to love this! A large golden-brown marshmallow sits on a white frosting swirl, with dark chocolate-colored drizzle running across it.
I’d keep those loose, uneven lines rather than try to make every stripe match.
sparkling snowflakes
How pretty are these snowflake cupcakes? The white swirls have sparkly decorations, little white pearls and silver-colored dots.
These are winter decorating inspiration rather than visibly chocolate cupcakes. Borrow the snowflake look for your own cocoa-themed batch, using decorations and glitter labeled edible.
little chocolate centers
Don’t want a huge frosting swirl? This photo shows dark cupcakes with a small glossy brown dollop in each center.
The rest of the cake top stays uncovered.
You could leave your own batch with this understated finish or use it as a stage before adding a marshmallow topping.
two-tone frosting
This may just be one of my favorite frosting ideas here. I love the thick pale brown coils with a smaller white rosette on top.
Try the same two-color arrangement if you want that cocoa-and-cream look without adding candy canes or a pile of marshmallows.
glossy centers and nuts
If you love a chocolate-and-nut combination, there’s plenty of decorating inspo here. Brown frosting rings surround glossy centers, with whole nuts and chopped pieces along the edges.
This isn’t a visibly marshmallow-topped cocoa design, but you could borrow the ring of frosting for your own variation. Keep nut toppings clearly labeled when serving.
marshmallows without frosting
Don’t want to pipe any frosting? No problem!
This cupcake has a cluster of lightly golden marshmallows in the middle, with the brown cake still showing around them.
I love the dark blue liner here. It keeps the little white topping looking extra simple.
chocolate drizzle and candy canes
If you are looking for an all-out topping, then this one is for you. There’s a tall brown frosting swirl, a pile of marshmallows and glossy dark drizzle running down the sides.
The candy cane handle is my favorite part. Keep the black liner if you want the red-and-white stripes to stand out.
a pale filling center
Here’s a look at a filling stage rather than a finished cupcake. A spoonful of pale filling is held over a small opening in the dark cake.
The photo doesn’t tell us what the filling contains. If you want a filled version, follow a tested cupcake recipe rather than guessing the mixture from its appearance.
one big marshmallow
I love this simple cocoa-cup look. Each cupcake has a rounded brown frosting swirl and one large white marshmallow with a brown dusting.
You don’t need a candy handle to borrow this idea. Try a little cocoa powder over the marshmallow to bring the colors together.
pale swirls and mini marshmallows
This is another pretty way to keep the toppings simple. Mini marshmallows sit around a pale frosting swirl, with fine brown speckles across the top.
I especially love how some marshmallows nestle into the sides rather than all sitting at the peak.
tiny mugs with wafer rolls
Last but definitely not least, we have these adorable mug-inspired cupcakes. I love the pale loop handles and wafer rolls tucked into the white frosting.
Mini marshmallows finish the tops. For your own version, use edible loop-shaped decorations at the sides and keep the brown liners for that little chocolate-mug look.