Chocolate….Sometimes All We Have Until Spring!!!

How has your Winter been? I love the season but this year, at least in the Midwest, I am soooo tired of snow! Let's not even get into the -40 degree weather…Spring, Where are You?

I want to be able to feel the Sun on my skin (without the windchill forcing me to run back inside). I am ready for road trips and running outside. I see photos of friends already having brunch outside and enjoying the warmth of the season and I hope to be there soon. So in the meantime I am entertaining myself with ideas and recipes (when I am not cleaning or doing laundry….can't someone be hired for the non-fun stuff?!). 

I hope your Winter has been far more enjoyable than mine or at least better entertainment. If not, maybe these Chocolate Blackout Cupcakes will help ease the pain until the next season arrives! Enjoy...

Chocolate Blackout Cupcakes

Adapted from Cookies and Cups

Ingredients

Chocolate Ganache Frosting

10 oz Bittersweet Chocolate

1 C Whipping Cream

1 Tsp Vanilla

Cupcakes

8 Tbsp Unsalted Butter

2 Oz Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped

1/2 C Cocoa Powder

3/4 C Unbleached Flour

1/2 Tsp Baking Soda

3/4 Tsp Baking Powder

2 Eggs

2/3 C Sugar

2 Tsp Vanilla

1/2 Tsp Salt

1/2 C Sour Cream

Brownie Batter Filling

1/2 C Unsalted Butter, room temperature

1 C Brownie Mix, dry

1 1/2 C Powdered Sugar

2 Tbsp Whipping Cream

Garnish

Brownie Pieces

Chocolate Curls

Directions

Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Pour chocolate into a heat-safe bowl.

In small saucepan heat the cream until right before boiling. Pour hot cream over chocolate and let sit for 3 minutes. Whisk the chocolate until it's completely melted with the cream. Add vanilla.  Allow to chill in refrigerator for 1 hour

Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350°

Combine butter, chocolate, and cocoa in double boiler over simmering water; Stir until mixture is melted and smooth and combined.  Allow to cool until warm to the touch.

Combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder in small bowl.

Place eggs in second bowl and whisk. Add sugar, vanilla, and salt until fully incorporated. Stir in cooled chocolate mixture until combined. Add a portion of flour mixture over chocolate mixture and stir until combined. Mix in sour cream until combined. Add remaining flour and combine until blended.

Divide the batter evenly among muffin pan cups. Bake until toothpick inserted into center of cupcakes comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

Brownie Batter Filling

In bowl beat butter and brownie mix together until combined and smooth.

Slowly add in powdered sugar until combined. Add cream until incorporated.

Assembly

Hollow out the cupcakes using a paring knife and fill them with the brownie batter filling. 

Place cooled ganache into bowl of stand mixer and beat until fluffy and smooth. Fill piping bag with chocolate ganache and pipe onto cupcakes.

Garnish cupcakes with brownie pieces and chocolate curls.