Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting

DISCLAIMER: This is not healthy whatsoever. . . but everyone deserves a treat now and again.

I was very happy with how these came out. . . the frosting was a bit of work, but worth it. (Actual result is pictured here.)

Photo: faithostanhall.com

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 cup and 2 tbsp all purpose-flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 large egg

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated white sugar

1/2 cup and 2 tbsp whole milk

1/3 cup espresso or strong brewed coffee

1/2 cup (1 stick) melted unsalted butter

Preheat over to 350 degrees, line 12 cupcake molds or muffin tins with paper liners or spray with nonstick spray.

Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, brown sugar and white sugar. Whisk in the milk coffee, and melted butter. Whisk in the dry ingredients. Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake molds, filling them about 3/4 full.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes. Using a small spatula or knife, remove cupcakes from the pan. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature.

White Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients:

6 oz white baking chocolate

4 large egg whites

1 cup and 2 tbsp granulated white sugar

1 cup and 2 tbsp (2 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup white chocolate chips

Melt the white chocolate on top of a double boiler, stirring constantly. Remove chocolate from heat when melted and let cool to room temperature.

While chocolate is cooling, combine the egg whites and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Place the bowl in a pot of summering water so that the water comes 1/3 of the way up the bowl. Lightly whisk the egg whites just until hot to the touch, about 1 1/2 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pot and whisk on high speed until very thick and cooled to room temperature, about 5 minutes. Decrease the mixer speed to medium-low and add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time (about 1 minute should pass between each tablespoon being added.) Add the white chocolate and vanilla and mix until smooth.

Frost the top of each cupcake and sprinkle with white chocolate chips.

These really were a tasty trip. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Cheers! Brett