Wednesday, February 6, 2008

It's a cupcake thing...


Aaah cupcakes...... Who doesn't like them? I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that don't. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them. Matter of fact I like anything that isn't good for you and has lots of chocolate in it. So I searched and searched for a really good chocolate cupcake recipe all claiming to be "the best". This one had great reviews and well it was so darn easy to make! (With all the whisking it works on that turkey flap on the back of your arms as well) This is the first I tried of the many recipes I have and I must say I can't imagine any of the others being any better. It's moist, chocolatey has a nice crumb and kind of tastes like a brownie. The frosting is tasty too (and Toto too?) and very easy to make. It's great for piping.

Oh, by the way...If your on a diet???...You might want to skip this one for a cheat day.

So without further adieu I present to you......

Chocolatey Chocolate Cupcakes
Makes 24
(recipe can easily be halved)

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 16 pieces
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate , chopped
1 cup Dutch-processed cocoa (I used regular unsweetened and it worked fine)
1-1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
No Cook Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (below)

1. Combine butter, bittersweet chocolate, and cocoa in medium heatproof bowl. Microwave, whisking often until melted and smooth, 1 to 3 minutes. Set aside to cool until just warm to the touch.
2. Meanwhile, adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Line your muffin pans with cupcake liners.
4. Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl and set aside.
5. Whisk eggs and vanilla together in another large bowl. Slowly whisk in sugar until combined. Add cooled chocolate mixture and whisk until combined.
6. Sift about one-third of flour mixture over chocolate batter and whisk until combined; whisk in all of sour cream until combined, then sift remaining flour mixture over and whisk until completely incorporated. Hang in there! The batter will be thick.
5. Fill muffin pan cups about 2/3 full. (I use a 2 oz. scoop) . Do not fill more than that as these rise on up and you will have mushrooms! I actually filled mine a little less. Bake until a toothpick inserted into center of cupcakes comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes.
6. Cool cupcakes in muffin pan on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from the pans and let cool completely on racks before frosting. Frost with buttercream then sprinkle with your favorite candies. Enjoy!


No Cook Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

2 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla (or add your favorite flavoring)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups (2-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2-1/2 cups powdered sugar

Stir cream, vanilla and salt together in a small bowl. Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium high until smooth. About 1 minute. Lower speed to medium low and slowly add powdered sugar and beat until smooth, 2 to 5 minutes. Beat in cream mixture then increase speed again to medium high and beat until mixture is light and fluffy, about 5 minutes or so.
Makes 3 cups

3 comments:

Jasmine31 said...

This recipe looks great. Thanx for sharing. I recently tried the Magnolia Chocolate Cupcakes for my sons birthday and was disappointed.

Bitsy said...

I didn't try the magnolia one as I didnt get that great of reviews on it. Everyone has different tastes and expectations but these were really chocolatey and I loved them! Let me know what you think if you try them : )

kate said...

those look amazingly delicious. i want one!