Death by Chocolate Cupcake

These are by far my favorite cupcake when I need a healthy chocolate fix.  And when I say 'healthy' I mean  massive -
not I ate organic.

To Die For Chocolate Cupcakes (actually called Mocha Chip...)
(makes 12 standard cupcakes)
1c all purpose flour
1/2t baking soda
1/4t salt
1/2c unsalted butter, room temp.
1c sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2t vanilla
3 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
2t instant espresso powder dissolved in 1/2c cool water
2/3c semisweet chocolate chips (I used chunks this time - yumOH!)

• Position the rack in the lower third of your oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 12 standard size muffin cups with paper liners (I have also made mini cupcakes using mini chocolate chips, pictured here).
• Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together into a small bowl.  In a large bowl, beat the butter with a mixer on medium speed until butter is smooth (30-60s).  Slowly pour in sugar.   Mix on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy (2-3min.).  Beat in the eggs, one at a time on medium speed until the batter is smooth after each addition.  Add the vanilla and melted chocolate and beat until smooth and blended.  On low speed, add the dry ingredients in three installments, alternating with the espresso in two additions, mixing after each addition only until the batter is smooth.  Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
• Portion the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups.  Do not smooth the batter.  Bake until cupcakes spring back gently when pressed in the center (20-22mins.)  Carefully remove the cupcakes from the tin, set them on a cooling rack to cool completely.

Now for the frosting!  I love a good chocolate frosting, and this recipe comes with one!  But I'll be honest ~ the last time I made these, I decided to frost half with awesome strawberry frosting.  Those were my favorite (& just in time for Valentine's Day!!!).  I'll give you both recipes, that way YOU can decide!


Chocolate-Sour Cream Frosting
(makes about 1 1/4 cups - I usually double it!)
1T unsalted butter
1/3c sour cream (NOT low fat ~ HELLO!)
3/4t vanilla
pinch of salt
1 1/2c powdered sugar
2 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
milk, if necessary

In a medium bowl, whisk the sour cream, vanilla, and salt to blend.  Gradually whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth.  Add the chocolate and beat until frosting is smooth and creamy.  The frosting must be thick but spreadable.  If it is too thick, thin with drops of milk.  If it's too thin, chill it briefly, stirring occasionally, until adequately thickened.

Awesome Strawberry Frosting
1/2c real butter
1 (16-oz) package powdered sugar
1/2c finely chopped fresh strawberries

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer 20 seconds or until fluffy.  Add powdered sugar and chopped strawberries, beating at low speed until creamy.  (Add more sugar if frosting is too thin, or more strawberries if it is too thick.)

yumOH!  ENJOY!