S'mores Cupcakes

 1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs (about 20 squares)
1/4 c. sugar
5 T. butter, melted

4 Hershey chocolate bars

2 c. all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1 c. cocoa
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. buttermilk, room temp
1 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs, room temp
2 tsp. vanilla

1 c. boiling water
1 tsp. espresso powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a  muffin pan with 24 cupcake liners.

Place graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter in a lg. bowl.  Stir until well combined. Set aside.

In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 

In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.  With mixer on low speed, add the liquid to the dry ingredients, then increase speed to medium  for about 20 seconds, until well combined.

Stir espresso powder into the boiling water. Carefully add to the cake batter.  Beat on medium speed for 1 minute.

Place  2 tsp. graham cracker mixture in each muffin cup.  Place 2 segments of Hershey chocolate bar on top of graham cracker crumbs and then top with chocolate cake batter to fill  3/4 full.

Bake for 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan; remove to wire rack and cool cupcakes completely.

Toasted Marshmallow Frosting

8 egg whites
2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
2 tsp. vanilla

Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heatproof bowl of electric mixer.  Set over a saucepan of simmering hot water.  Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, 3-4 minutes.

Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment, and beat, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5-7 minutes.  Add vanilla, and mix until combined.

Place cooled cupcakes onto a baking sheet .  Top cupcakes with a heaping T. of marshmallow frosting,  forming spikes with back of spoon.  Place in oven under broiler and lightly toast marshmallow - about 2 minutes. Watch carefully so it doesn't burn.