Homemade Hostess Cupcakes: A Nostalgic Treat with a Homemade Twist

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and sugar.
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, vanilla extract, milk, and vegetable oil together until smooth.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Slowly pour in the boiling water, mixing until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin, but that’s okay—it helps create a moist cake.
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the filling:

In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, shortening, powdered sugar, marshmallow fluff, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and creamy.
Transfer the filling to a piping bag fitted with a round tip or a plastic sandwich bag with the tip of the corner cut off.
Fill the cupcakes:

Once the cupcakes have cooled, use a small knife or cupcake corer to make a small hole in the center of each cupcake.
Pipe the marshmallow filling into the hole in each cupcake, filling them generously but without overflowing.
Make the frosting:

In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted.
Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate, stirring until smooth and fully combined.
Stir in the vanilla extract and let the frosting cool to room temperature until it thickens slightly.
Frost the cupcakes:

Once the frosting has cooled to a spreadable consistency, spread a generous layer of the chocolate frosting over the top of each filled cupcake.
You can use a spatula to smooth it out or swirl it into a dome shape for a more classic look.
Decorate (optional):

If desired, pipe a swirl of the marshmallow filling on top of the frosting to recreate the iconic swirl seen on Hostess cupcakes.
For an extra touch, you can sprinkle some mini chocolate chips or sprinkles on top of the frosting for a fun, festive look.
Serve and enjoy:

Let the frosting set for about 15 minutes before serving. These cupcakes are perfect for parties, family gatherings, or just an afternoon treat.
Serving and Storage Tips: