Mustache-Topped Chocolate Cupcakes for Father’ s Day

Things like this make me smile.  Giggle, even.  I love that mustaches are trending and lately I have been browsing for a mustache themedpieceof jewelry to wear.  Wouldn’t you know it!  The notion has made it’s way into my baked goods -and just in time for Father’s day!

The mustaches are made out of homemade chocolate modeling clay and the recipe could not be easier.  Just two ingredients and you’re set to make just about anything you care to try!

The cake recipe has been bookmarked for over a year in an old “church lady” cookbook (the best cookbooks on earth!).  There was no secret ingredient or special technique that piqued my interest,  but rather the footnote at the end of the recipe that says: “This Cake Is VERY MOIST……..Men Really Like It.”  The lady who submitted this recipe obviously thought this was a valuable piece of information.  I had to find out for myself if it was true.  Do men like it?  And what about women?  Do we like it too?

(Scratch the mustache pattern into the clay with the back of a knife then cut-out with scissors.)

The chocolate modeling clay is really neat.  The two components used are 10 oz. of semi-sweet chocolate chips (melted in the microwave) and 1/3 cup light corn syrup.  After combining the two, the mixture will need to set up between two pieces of wax paper for a couple of hours.  Having a 2D agenda, I evened my mixture out with a rolling pin (before it set) so the mustaches would be as uniform as possible.  A mustache cookie cutteris ideal for this project, but if you don’t have one (like me) you can make your own template or maybe download a free one. You can use a knife or scissors to cut the clay, but make sure you have a cutting board underneath if you plan to use a knife. Decorative “hair” striations can be made by pressing fork tines or the back of a knife into the clay.

The mustache will need to be reinforced across the middle where it is thinnest.  Gently press a small piece of clay to the back of your mustache horizontally.  Then press your sucker stick in the middle of the reinforcement and apply another piece of clay horizontally to adhere the sucker stick to the mustache.

 See how pretty and even the lines are when you use a cookie cutter? (This is a deer head if you couldn’t tell!)

You could certainly make 3D mustaches with this.  Gently knead the clay until it becomes soft and forms a putty-like consistency.  Then you can make whatever your heart desires –seriously!

An easy chocolate glaze is used instead of the frosting recipe suggested in the cookbook. I like to use cupcake liners that are double (one paper, one foil) when I have to dip or glaze.  You can remove the cupcake along with the baked-on paper liner and replace it in the foil without getting both liners messy. This recipe makes 24 cakes, and if possible bake both pans together.  I noticed that my first dozen had perfectly rounded tops, and my second batch that I let stand for 20 minutes was less perfect.  They still rose and tasted good but the tops were a little bumpy. So, if striving for perfection bake both pans at once.

I couldn’t find a suitable model to demonstrate my mustaches yesterday…

…so I had to use my garden gnome who already has a mustache -but you get the idea.  I think little kids would have a fun time masquerading around in these, pretending to be Dad. Not to mention smelling chocolate under their noses!

So what’s the cake verdict?  Do men like it?  That church lady is on to something for sure.  My husband LOVED the moistness and light chocolate flavor along with the hint of cinnamon. The cupcakes taste like Hot Fudge Cake when served with a little ice cream on the side.

And if I may speak for womankind……..I (we?) think they’re pretty darn good too!

Chocolate Modeling Clay                          [click for printable recipe]

1- 10 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/3 cup light corn syrup

Heat chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl at 30 second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each heating.  When chips are completely melted add corn syrup and stir until mixture becomes thick; the chocolate will lose it’s shiny appearance.

Spread mixture on a large piece of wax paper with a spatula and top with another piece of wax paper. Gently even out with a rolling pin or by pressing to 1/2″ thickness.  Let dry 2-3 hours.  Cut with cookie cutters, or break off pieces and knead until pliable and putty-like.   Chocolate sculptures will harden when left out to dry.  Place unused clay in an air-tight container.  Discard after 3 months.

Please forgive the strange format of the recipe below – this is how it is best explained and how it is written in the cookbook.

Moist Chocolate-Glazed Cupcakes        [click for printable recipe]

(a.k.a. “Men Really Like It” cake)

Yield: 24 cupcakes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cake Batter:

2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups white sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix above ingredients and set aside.

2 eggs

1/2 cup buttermilk

Combine these two ingredients in your stand mixer with paddle attachment on medium speed for 1 minute.

1 stick of butter

4 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa

1/2 cup canola (or veg) oil

1 cup water

Bring above ingredients to a boil in a saucepan.

Beginning and ending with flour, alternate flour mixture with boiled hot cocoa (tempering gently) into the egg mixture until a thin batter is formed.  Pour batter into a liquid measure and fill cupcake liners 3/4 full.

Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.  Cool completely before glazing.

**NOTE: Bake all 24 cupcakes at once if possible for perfectly rounded cupcake tops.  Batter will deflate over time.


Chocolate Glaze:

2/3 cup heavy cream

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate finely chopped

1 tbsp. light corn syrup

Place cream in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until very hot but not boiling.  Place chocolate and corn syrup in a small bowl then pour hot cream over mixture and stir until smooth.

Quickly dip cooled cupcake tops into glaze and allow the excess to drizzle back into the bowl.  Allow glazed cupcakes to dry, about 40 minutes.  Chocolate glaze will darken in color as it cools.

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Jessica @ How Sweet
Jessica @ How Sweet
13 years ago

Those are just so adorable! Perfect for Father's Day – I love the idea!

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

Those are just plain cool

Bonnie
Bonnie
13 years ago

So cute. A great treat for a special group party. I love the recipe for the modeling clay.

Ashley
Ashley
13 years ago

I am in love with these! Such a cute and great idea! I'm definitely going to share with my readers!

Kathleen
Kathleen
13 years ago

Leave it to you to come up with the most perfect cupcake for fathers day! These are to die for!!!

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

I think the moist comment was an innuendo…

Kimber
Kimber
13 years ago

Super Stinkin' Cute!

Megan
Megan
13 years ago

I can see the kids with these mustaches. Too fun!

Sue
Sue
13 years ago

I saw the little thumbnail pic on my dashboard and laughed! SO CUTE! I just love these!!! The whole post is awesome!

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

great tutorial! Bring on the chocolate!

Kim @ http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com
party inspiration

Dee
Dee
13 years ago

A CHOCOLATE MUSTACHE!!!
I love it!
I want to make these for my pop. he has been rocking a stache since the 1970s

Patty
Patty
13 years ago

Those are so funny and cute!

Since living in Mexico, I've discovered I like mustaches too. 🙂

C and I bought a sweet felt mustache pin for his sister (from etsy) a couple of years ago and she always gets compliments on it. They really do look best on pretty girls. 😉

hannah @ thepastrykook
hannah @ thepastrykook
13 years ago

im definitely gonna make these soon!

cookies and cups
cookies and cups
13 years ago

how cute! And it made me laugh when you wrote "mustaches are trending"…which is probably true, but still funny 🙂

Lot-O-Choc
Lot-O-Choc
13 years ago

Omg wow what a cool idea!! These are great, so perfect for fathers day hehe!

Beryl
Beryl
13 years ago

Freaking genius. I love you. Your blog always makes me smile.

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

Well- I've done it! I have read your blog from beginning to (Hopefully not the end) but at least to present day. I love your work and don't know where to start. I hope you can do something with mint and chocolate soon as it is one of my favorites. Keep up the good work! ~ A

Ingrid_3Bs
Ingrid_3Bs
13 years ago

Very cute! I love your creativeness.
~ingrid

Made With Pink
Made With Pink
13 years ago

These are so cute! What a great idea!

Christiana
Christiana
13 years ago

This is adorable!so fun!

Jill C
Jill C
13 years ago

Absolutely adorable! Totally unique!!!

anna
anna
13 years ago

Eeeee mustaches!! So cute!

I love old church lady cookbooks with annotations like that.

April
April
13 years ago

I love these!! They are perfect for Father's Day!

Cherine
Cherine
13 years ago

Absolutely cute!!

Amy Tackett
Amy Tackett
13 years ago

I love these Heather! Well, I love your blog for that matter! Keep up the good work!!!

Pera Chapita
Pera Chapita
13 years ago

I just discovered your blog and absolutely LOVE IT! This recipe is awesome! and thanks for sharing all the wonderful links 🙂

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

Amazing! I could not resist these mustache topped goodies, they were easy to put together and absolutely delicious! I brought them to a party, huge hit! everyone took pictures with chocolate 'staches. Thank you for posting these, and I recommend them to anyone even thinking about trying them!

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

Yesss, this is great! Maybe we should start a mustachioed cupcake club..I made vegan chocolate mustache cakes for one of my lovely friends, he has an epic twirly mustache & beard! It won't let me paste the link in here for some reason 🙁

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

I just wanted you to know that I made these for a perfectly wonderful sheriff in rural Missouri who is known for his lovely mustache. I cheated and used a mustache lollipop mold, but he LOVED the cupcakes and the 'staches, and was amazed that someone had thought them up!

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Omg how I luv it:-)