Chocolate-Mashed Potato Cupcakes

Yes.  You read that right. Chocolate-mashed potato cupcakes.

We have a whole new year to be adventurous, so I figure, why not.

Why not try something new and different and unexpected?  And why not since I had a bowl of leftover mashed potatoes just hanging out in my fridge with the dozens of other New Year’s leftovers.

As I considered this idea, I remembered the chocolate-covered potato chips from the Sweet Confections book and that sealed the deal.  They were destined to become chocolate-mashed potato cupcake toppers.

I smiled.  I giggled.  I whipped them up in a flash!

Best of all, I totally weirded out Mr. Baird.  It was a good day.

Now, I’ve had my fair share of secret ingredient desserts; tomato soup chocolate cake (a Rose Levy Beranbaum recipe), chocolate kraut cake – I even ate garlic chocolate chip cookies once at a garlic festival.  They were all really good and not weird at all.   The main purpose of the novelty/mystery ingredient is to impart moisture, and it’s no different with these mashed potato cupcakes.  The cake portion bakes up dense like a pound cake but it is OH-so-moist.

I will make these again when I’m staring down a bowl of leftover ‘taters.

A few (obvious?) notes about the mashed potatoes:

  • Avoid using mashed potatoes with skins, chives, sharp cheeses, garlic or any other inclusions that would ruin the texture and flavor of the cupcake.
  • If you make runny mashed potatoes, then you may need to add up to 1/8 cup of all purpose flour to the batter.
  • Use mashed potatoes with any combination of these ingredients:  salt, butter, margarine, sour cream, milk, heavy cream, half and half, evaporated milk.  A little pepper is okay too, just as long as it’s not super-duper peppery.

Other Tidbits:

  • Thanks to those of you who sent Christmas cards and letters!  I’m so happy to be able to connect with you all on a more personal level.  I’ve already sent out my 1st batch of return letters, so let me know if for some reason you don’t get yours.
  • My editor sent me the advance reading copies of the SB book during Christmas holiday.  It looks GREAT and I’m super excited and grateful.  And excited.  And grateful.  And looking forward to all that comes in 2012!
  • My scuba-diving sister-in-law just got engaged (he popped the question at 35 ft. underwater!).  I foresee many wedding cake blog posts in SprinkleBakes’ future.

Chocolate-Mashed Potato Cupcakes

Yield: About 15 cupcakes                                                                                [click for printable version]

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2/3 cup granulated sugar

4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 cup cold, leftover mashed potatoes *see notes

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup whole milk

2 eggs

  1. Preheat oven to 350.  Line cupcake tins with papers and set aside.
  2. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together, then add mashed potatoes.  Whip until fluffy.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together.  Add the flour and egg/milk mixture to the batter alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Mixture will be thick.
  5. Fill muffin tins 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cake springs back when pressed in the middle.
  6. Let cupcakes cool completely before icing them.

Chocolate Frosting:

Shared by Heidi D. on my Facebook page, originally from Food.com

(Adapted slightly)

1/2 cup butter softened

2 2/3 cups confectioners sugar

1/2 cup half-and-half

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

  1. Cream the butter in a medium bowl.Add the cocoa, confectioners sugar and vanilla alternately with the half-and-half. 
  2. Whip until light and fluffy.  Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip. 
  3. Frost cupcakes.

Chocolate-Covered Potato Chips:

Note: this part of the recipe can be made ahead for convenience.

30 Small potato chips with ridges (hand-select from bag)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Nonpareils

  1. Pour 3/4 cup of the semisweet chocolate chips in a small microwaveable  bowl.  Heat at 30 second intervals until half of chocolate is melted and bowl is warm.  (I only had to heat for 30 seconds, with no additional intervals needed).  Stir very well after each heating.  
  2. Add remaining 1/4 cup of chips. Adjust microwave to 50% and heat at 10 second intervals until fully melted.  Stir between each interval.
  3. Dip potato chips in chocolate and place them on a piece of parchment or wax paper.  Sprinkle with nonpareils.  Let set until completely hardened. 
  4. Top frosted cupcakes with one or two chocolate-sprinkle-covered potato chips.
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Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

Aaaahhh how can one look at this and not smile. I love the salty/sweet combo and the sprinkles are just adorable. Love this!

Gerry @Foodness Gracious
Gerry @Foodness Gracious
12 years ago

Fantastic! I recently had chocolate covered chips from Trader Joe's and they were really quite good 🙂 Glad to be following your cool blog,
Take care…

Savannah
Savannah
12 years ago

How adventurous! Maybe one day when I'm feeling a little brave.
I may have to lie to my roomies about what they are before they indulge 😀

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

Insane/awesome/perfect!! xoxo Happy New Year dear!

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
12 years ago

A great idea! I bet those cupcakes are delightfully smooth thanks to the mashed potatoes.

Happy New Year!

Cheers,

Rosa

IFeelCook
IFeelCook
12 years ago

Wow, so original! I'm curious about how it tastes. As soon as I can I'll try it 🙂 xo

Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
12 years ago

This is the best mashed potatoes have EVER looked!

congrats on the book…can't wait to see the finished product!

congrats to your SIL! I dive but kept my wedding on dry land. In Vegas 🙂

Ellie (Turquoise and Lime)
Ellie (Turquoise and Lime)
12 years ago

Mmmm I've got to try these! Happy New Year by the way. I have very much enjoying reading your blog and trying your recipes. I will be a fan well into 2012! Can't wait. 🙂

Turquoise & Lime

Rookie Qookie
Rookie Qookie
12 years ago

really out of the box!
Check out my Giveaway at –
http://www.rookieqookie.com/2012/01/pineapple-zabaglione-with-whipped-cream.html

Allyson [Mimosas in the Morning]
Allyson [Mimosas in the Morning]
12 years ago

This is incredibly original! I've never seen anything like it!

Paula
Paula
12 years ago

Congrats on receiving the advanced copy of your book over the holidays! Congrats to your sister-in-law on her engagement and congrats on coming up this totally awesome looking cupcake.

Jenn
Jenn
12 years ago

Wow, this is an amazing idea! I wish I could have done this after Thanksgiving!

Sue/the view from great island
Sue/the view from great island
12 years ago

You can sell me anything, but actually these cupcakes look wonderful. Congratulations on the new book!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

ooooh I might have to try these!

Asmita
Asmita
12 years ago

Such an unusual recipe but sounds absolutely delicious! Would love to try this one out.

missdelish
missdelish
12 years ago

Oh my goodness! These look lovely and so different! Your newest follower! Miss Delish
http://www.miss-delish.com

Heather (Heather's Dish)
Heather (Heather's Dish)
12 years ago

sounds heavenly to me, per the usual! love the garnish too…chocolate covered potato chips sound amazing to me!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

Oh you tease! But, if it's made by you…we'll probably gobble it down with a big grin.

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

So So yummy looking ! You take amazing pictures of your baked goods, great job !

A Southern Bee Diary

xo.

Leslie
Leslie
12 years ago

How wonderful! My mashed potatoes are totally out of the question for these as they are loaded with butter, cream cheese and salt and pepper 😉

Krissy's Creations
Krissy's Creations
12 years ago

I totally read the title twice! Haha 🙂 You are SO inventive. Only you would make Chocolate Mashed Potato Cupcakes and have them turn out delicious!

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

LOVE THIS IDEA…thanks for sharing!

http://woodstockwardrobe.com/

Lora
Lora
12 years ago

So inventive. The chocolate covered potato chip decoration is just adorable. Congrats to your sister in law. I met my husband scuba diving with hammerhead sharks in Costa Rica so I love anything to do with diving romance. Great proposal. Well Done. Can't wait for your book! Happy New Year.

Resh
Resh
12 years ago

so nice…love the decoration….do link it to my ongoing event 'Chocolate Lover' at daily-cuppa

Nic@diningwithastud
Nic@diningwithastud
12 years ago

Love! I especially love the chip on top 🙂 I use to eat chips and choc all the time haha

chocolate truffles
chocolate truffles
12 years ago

awesome……
this sounds absolutely delicious.
i will definitely try this. this decoration is too good.

A Canadian Foodie
A Canadian Foodie
12 years ago

Very pretty and lovely tutorial.
🙂
V

Chels/Catz in the Kitchen
Chels/Catz in the Kitchen
12 years ago

How cool is this! Love the idea and so thrilled about your book! Congrats!!

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

These sounds so bizarre…but I'm intrigued! Chocolate and crisps is a great combo so can see how this might work…I have to try these right now!

Jennifer (Delicieux)
Jennifer (Delicieux)
12 years ago

Wow, these look and sound fantastic, and so fun!!! The chocolate covered chip on top is the icing on the cake, so to speak 😉

Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
12 years ago

Wow, what a creative and beautiful way to start the year! Happy New Year:-)

Megan
Megan
12 years ago

Oh man. These have stolen my heart on the real. My favorite bread is potato bread so I KNOW that if these are wrong I don't want to be right.

And that chip on top! Yes! I love it! <3

Erin and Andrew Dodson
Erin and Andrew Dodson
12 years ago

Those look amazing! Will definitely show my wife this recipe. http://www.erinandreweverafter.com

little random happiness
little random happiness
12 years ago

Love the potato chip on top!

Thais Varini
Thais Varini
12 years ago

Nice…. just perfect.

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

Happy New Year….. Potato.chocolate and cupcakes… .comfort food in a cup:)

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

what a great idea! and a good way to use left over mashed potato 🙂
Just letting you know that you did not include when to add the cocoa powder- i assume it would be when you are whisking the dry ingredients.

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
12 years ago

Thank you for letting me know! You are correct. Bless you.

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

This sounds like one really interesting cupcake. I would have never thought of putting mashed potatoes into a cupcake.

Karen @ Mignardise
Karen @ Mignardise
12 years ago

There's a traditional Maine candy called Needhams that's made from mashed potatoes, coconut and chocolate. Your cupcakes look delicious – they'd be right at home in Maine!

Sue
Sue
12 years ago

Heather, You always have such unique ingredients that turn out to be so yummy! These look fantastic, and I LOVE the potato chip topper:)
Happy New Year!!!

Jessica @ Hungrygems
Jessica @ Hungrygems
12 years ago

This is fantastic! Every delicious savory food gets a new, fashionably sweet transformation! I will not give any food the excuse for not being sweet from now on….I'm looking at you brussel sprouts!

Sugartown Sweets
Sugartown Sweets
12 years ago

Would never have thought of this. They look very tasty and pretty!

Dana
Dana
12 years ago

Oh yes. This recipe makes me want to hug you! thanks for sharing!

Lili
Lili
12 years ago

You sure know how to have fun at your place. Those cupcakes look yummy, fun and adorable. And talk about adventure…an underwater proposal in your family will call for some special wedding cake for sure. I'm all eyes! That is so exciting for you to get your advance copies of your book too. What a great start to an exciting new year! xoxo ~Lili

Deena Mehta
Deena Mehta
12 years ago

What a great idea. Love the chocolate covered potato chip. Really cool!

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

Love the sound of this. If anyone knows of anywhere I can try one of these in the UK (without making it myself!), please let me know.

Lori
Lori
12 years ago

We tried a mashed potato chocolate cupcake at the Taste of Chicago one year. Your version looks and sounds so much better. I'm a huge sweet and salty fan so I know I'd love it. That garnish is adorable, not to mention super creative.

STAY AT HOME CHEF
STAY AT HOME CHEF
12 years ago

Wow – talk about an inventive twist on cupcakes! Love the chocolate sprinkled potato chips…very cute. And who doesn't like the combo of sweet and salty?! Must have been good. Can't wait for your new cookbook to come out!

Kavi
Kavi
12 years ago

Love the combo of sweet and salty. These flavors remind me of a dessert that is popular in Pennsylvania in the springtime – chocolate covered potato eggs!