Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
12/18 NOTE: I've had some readers tell me that they've had issues with their cupcakes falling in the centers, even when following the recipe exactly. I've never had the issue and other readers have also had success, so PROCEED WITH CAUTION! I will be fixing the recipe to be more foolproof ASAP.
Servings 2 dozen
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
- 6 oz. 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 13-1/2 oz. 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour I recommend weighing it
- 3/4 cup canola oil
- 4-1/2 oz. bittersweet chocolate finely chopped
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 2-1/4 oz. 3/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- 3/4 cup buttermilk at room temperature
- 2 Tbs. pure vanilla extract
- 2-1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
For the frosting
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 6 large egg whites
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
For the cupcakes
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Place cupcake liners into cupcake pans.
- In a large, heavy saucepan, combine the butter, oil, chopped chocolate, and 1 cup water. Heat over medium heat until melted and fully combined.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, and cocoa powder. Pour the hot chocolate mixture into the sugar mixture and whisk until combined.
- Whisk in the eggs, one at a time (making sure to keep whisking - you don’t want the eggs to scramble), then whisk in the buttermilk, vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full.
- Bake cupcakes for 17-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center. Cool on racks for 10 minutes.
For the frosting
- In the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over a saucepan of simmering water, combine sugar, corn syrup, 1/4 cup water, and egg whites. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture registers 160 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 2 minutes.
- Attach bowl to a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat mixture on high speed until glossy and voluminous, about 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Use immediately. After frosting, use a handheld kitchen torch to lightly toast the top of the frosting if desired.
Notes
Cupcake recipe from Hot Chocolate Layer Cake and frosting recipe from Martha Stewart
