I was asked by the host to prepare mini cupcakes for the occasion. Three different types of cupcakes to be exact. One of the types was a chocolate cupcake with chocolate ganache and chocolate shavings. Needless to say, this cupcake would satisfy any chocoholic.
Chocolate, Chocolate Cupcakes
Recipe Adapted from: Gimme Some Oven
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 C all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1/2 C granulated sugar
1/2 C packed light brown sugar
1/3 C vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 C buttermilk
For the ganache:
18 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 C heavy cream
Directions
For the cupcakes:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Whisk the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a medium sized bowl.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
Pour
half the dry ingredients into the wet, then half the buttermilk,
stirring well after each addition. Repeat. Do not overmix, this batter
will be a bit thin.
Fill the liners 1/2-2/3 of the way full, and bake for 18-21 minutes. Once cooled, add the ganache.
For the ganache:
Rough chop dark chocolate into pieces. I used a Hershey bar, and just crumpled it up while it was still in the package.
Bring the heavy cream to an almost boil, remove from heat and pour over chocolate.
Stir the chocolate until smooth.
If you wish, you may dip your cupcakes into the thin ganache for a smooth coating. If you wish to pipe it as I did, allow it to sit for 1-1/2 hours, and then beat for 2-3 minutes before piping.
*I
added chocolate shavings to my cupcakes. Just run a peeler along the
side of a chocolate bar for the curls. You may want to freeze the curls
slightly before adding them to the cupcakes, otherwise they tend to
melt when handled.
Enjoy!
