Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe. There are two secrets to these cupcakes. They get their rich, extra-chocolaty flavor from a combination of unsweetened cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate, and their soft, moist texture from a simple hand-mixing method.
This recipe courtesy of Williams-Sonoma.
Adapted from Cupcakes, by Shelly Kaldunski (Weldon Owen, 2008).
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 11 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Chocolate or vanilla buttercream for frosting cupcakes (see related "Williams Sonoma" recipes)
- Grated chocolate for garnish (optional)
Preparation
- 1 Preheat an oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper or foil liners.
- 2 In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Place the chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl and set over but not touching simmering water in a saucepan; stir frequently until melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and let the chocolate mixture cool to room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes.
- 3 Using a wooden spoon, stir the sugar into the chocolate mixture until combined. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating until combined after each addition, then beat in the vanilla. Gently fold in the flour mixture just until no traces of flour remain; do not overmix.
- 4 Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached, 22 to 24 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes. Then transfer the cupcakes to the rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
- 5 Frost the cupcakes with the buttercream, garnish with grated chocolate and serve. (The frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving.)
