Rich, dense – just plain fantastic – may be my fav chocolate cupcakes! The ganache filling and the buttercream frosting hit it out of the park – Oh My!
Are you ready? Seriously, I mean it, are you ready?! This is the best chocolate cupcake you will evah eat! Big words. I get it. You’re not, yet, a believer. These cupcakes will bring you to the point of no return. You will believe me when I say this is the best evah. Heck, you’ll be leading the parade of the best evah yourself. Please just try these. You’re welcome already!!! I changed the frosting and again, you’ll be happy. I promise! Seriously, SUPER YUM!!!
Chocolate Cupcakes
Rich, dense - just plain fantastic - may be my fav chocolate cupcakes! The ganache filling and the buttercream frosting hit it out of the park - Oh My!
Prep Time25 mins
Cook Time1 hr
Total Time1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 8 -12 cupcakes
Ingredients
Ganache Filling:
- 2 Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate Finely Chopped
- 1/4 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Tablespoon Powdered Sugar
Chocolate Cupcakes:
- 3 Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate Finely Chopped
- 1/3 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 3/4 Cup Strong Brewed Coffee Hot
- 3/4 Cup Bread Flour
- 3/4 Cup Sugar
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 6 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
- 2 Eggs Large
- 2 Teaspoons White Vinegar
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Chocolate Frosting:
- 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter at Room Temperature
- 2 2/3 Cup Powdered Sugar Sifted
- 1/3 Cup Half and Half
- 1 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 3/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Instructions
FOR GANACHE FILLING:
- Place chocolate, cream, and confectioners' sugar in medium microwave-safe bowl. Heat in microwave on high power until mixture is warm to touch, 20 to 30 seconds. Whisk until smooth; transfer bowl to refrigerator and let stand until just chilled, no longer than 30 minutes.
FOR CUPCAKES:
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard-size muffin pan (cups have ½-cup capacity) with baking cup liners. Place chocolate and cocoa in medium bowl. Pour hot coffee over mixture and whisk until smooth. Set in refrigerator to cool completely, about 20 minutes. Whisk flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.
- Whisk oil, eggs, vinegar, and vanilla into cooled chocolate-cocoa mixture until smooth. Add flour mixture and whisk until smooth.
- Divide batter evenly among muffin pan cups. Place one slightly rounded teaspoon ganache filling on top of each cupcake. Bake until cupcakes are set and just firm to touch, 17 to 19 minutes. Cool cupcakes in muffin pan on wire rack until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Carefully lift each cupcake from muffin pan and set on wire rack. Cool to room temperature before frosting, about 1 hour.
FOR GANACHE FILLING:
- For Frosting. Cream the butter in a small bowl until light and smooth.
- Blend in the cocoa, vanilla, powdered sugar, alternating with the half and half. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. YUM
- Source: Adapted From Cook's Illustrated
Nutrition
Calories: 629kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 248mg | Potassium: 350mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 65g | Vitamin A: 460IU | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 3.3mg
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Lizzy says
November 20, 2010 at 8:16 pmWow! Triple chocolate threat…my family would adore these!
Lindsey says
August 18, 2010 at 5:28 amOMG… I want these right now!! Amazing pics Momma!!!
creampuff says
August 16, 2010 at 3:49 amOh, those look unreal! Delicious!
Katy ~ says
August 2, 2010 at 9:41 pmThese look divine! Oh my!
The Food Hunter says
July 29, 2010 at 9:34 pmYes, please!
Mimi says
July 23, 2010 at 7:06 pmIf they taste as good as they look, that will be fine for me.
Mimi
Bethany says
July 22, 2010 at 5:33 pmI stumbled upon your site and the minute I saw this particular post I though, “Hello, cupcake. Let's be best friends.” Wow. I know that these will, indeed, be the “best evah”. Can't wait to try them, thanks!
~Bethany
http://www.brkfstatbethanys.blogspot.com
Kate Morgan Jackson says
July 21, 2010 at 1:25 amLOVE Cooks Illustrated and your cupcake pictures are simply delectable! 🙂
Memória says
July 17, 2010 at 5:03 amI finally tried these out like I said I would. I was a bit wary about doing it because as I said in my first comment, I already have a go-to recipe (Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate) for chocolate cake. However, this cake was phenomenal. I can't say that it was better or worse than my go-to recipe; it was just more “elegant” than the previous because the go-to calls for only cocoa powder (I also use espresso/boiling water and buttermilk to make it richer). Anyway, I even used the bread flour even though I was tempted to use AP flour. I made a vanilla bean frosting instead of chocolate because I wanted a contrast from the chocolate cake and ganache. Thank you for this great recipe! It will now be a permanent member of my chocolate cake recipes but will be used for more special events since it's more involved than my go-to.
Raina says
July 14, 2010 at 11:15 pmThis look, umm, well, totally awesome! Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate…definitely will make these..thanks:)
Lindsay @ http://pancakesnpajamas.blogspot.com/ says
July 14, 2010 at 10:43 pmThese really look like killas. Awesome job Kathleen!
The Domestic Adventurer says
July 14, 2010 at 2:59 pmWow, such perfection! And mounds of frosting plus ganache filling – definitely killa!
Barbara says
July 13, 2010 at 2:02 pmI believe you, Kathleen! WOW. Copying the recipe right now!!
Velva says
July 13, 2010 at 2:01 amThese look like some serious killa cupcakes-wow! beautiful. These would not last an hour at my house.
Melody A says
July 12, 2010 at 11:15 pmWow! This recipe sound perfect for a chocolate lover like me.
Sophia says
July 12, 2010 at 10:05 pmThese cupcakes really look great!! They're perfect for a birthday! The only time of year that I bake cupcakes is Valentine's Day. I make these Be My Valentine Cupcakes for my special someone! Thanks for sharing!
tigerfish says
July 12, 2010 at 4:34 pmSeriously, I would care for that. It is chocolate!!!!
How To Eat A Cupcake says
July 12, 2010 at 12:09 pmMmmmm they do look niiiice and chocolatey! 😀 😀
smalltownoven says
July 12, 2010 at 4:05 amOh my goodness these look ridiculously chocolate-y!! I can't wait to try them when the chocolate craving hits 🙂
baking.serendipity says
July 12, 2010 at 2:42 amThese look super chocolate-y and delicious. I think the switch up on the frostings is perfect 🙂
grace says
July 11, 2010 at 11:11 pmi almost wonder if my mouth could handle all that chocolate goodness! these are absolutely sensational, kathleen. i guess i'll hafta make 'em myself to get a glance at those innards. 🙂
Faith says
July 11, 2010 at 9:48 pmChocolate cupcakes with chocolte frosting and ganache filling — I'm in heaven! They're gorgeous too, your piping is perfect!
Cathy says
July 11, 2010 at 5:53 pmYum, I love all that luscious chocolate flavor, especially when topped with a rich chocolate icing. It doesn't get any better than this when I have a chocolate craving.
Chris says
July 11, 2010 at 2:25 pmIf I'm going to do this, I need to learn to pipe like you do. That's where I don't have the gear or the patience! Gorgeous looking cupcakes.
Tiffiny Felix says
July 11, 2010 at 6:54 amYum, yum, yum!! I'm surprised about the bread flour, though…I'm going to have to try them 🙂
Jaime says
July 11, 2010 at 6:00 amwow those look seriously decadent!
Diana's Cocina says
July 11, 2010 at 4:53 amThis sounds and looks wonderful. The addition of the ganache filling put's them over the top delicious.
Kim says
July 11, 2010 at 4:10 amI'm going to go ahead and say I bet they are the best ever…chocolate cupcakes with ganache filling and chocolate frosting – whoa! Seriously delicious.
I'm laughing though because I have chocolate brownies with Kittencal's frosting downstairs in my kitchen right now:)
Barbara Bakes says
July 11, 2010 at 2:34 amYou had me a ganache filling.
Kathy Gori says
July 11, 2010 at 2:23 amThese are real killas!! wow! Can't wait to try these.
zurin says
July 11, 2010 at 2:11 amOOOPS my fault. I didnt read teh recipe properly. Iknow where the ganache goes now ! 😀 OOH no wonder its a killer choc cup cake! m tryng htis for sure! THanks :)))
zurin says
July 11, 2010 at 2:09 amThis sounds and looks awesome! Ill have to try these. btw just one question. what dyu do with the ganache? Hope u can help me out there 🙂
n thanks for dropping by 🙂
Julie says
July 11, 2010 at 12:53 amI have no doubts these cupcakes would leave me drooling for more…yum!
Jennifer says
July 11, 2010 at 12:28 amwell I now have a killer craving if that means anything! Talk about alluring!!! They sound and look fab!!
ANCK says
July 10, 2010 at 9:32 pmYummy =) I want some…
~RED~ says
July 10, 2010 at 8:06 pmI feel faint.. LOL it has ganache in it.. *faints* Beautriful beautiful job! Saving this one!
Ott, A. says
July 10, 2010 at 5:51 pmThat icing looks so amazingly good. I want to eat my monitor just sitting here looking at it. I've never tried a chocolate buttercream so this I may have to try. Tahnks for posting.
eatsweetordiebitter.com says
July 10, 2010 at 5:42 pmWhoa whoa whoa. I love this recipe, it looks really comprehensive and positively tasty! I am bookmarking this for sure- I am always on the lookout for chocolate cake recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Susi says
July 10, 2010 at 5:34 pmThese cupcakes look amazing for all chocolate cupcakes. My teenage daughter would go nuts for these! I will have to bookmark them and make them for those times I need to “bribe” her ;o)
Catherine says
July 10, 2010 at 5:20 pmThese cupcakes DO look killer! Wow! These look insanely good and chocolatey! Great post Kathleen…have a wonderful weekend!
ajcabuang04 says
July 10, 2010 at 5:15 pmThese look beyond good!! YUM!! You can never go wrong with chocolate in my opinion. Looks super decadent!!
Would you mind checking out my blog? 😀 http://ajscookingsecrets.blogspot.com/
Ana Powell says
July 10, 2010 at 4:03 pmHi Kathleen
Great work, your cupcakes are absolutely awesome ?
elra says
July 10, 2010 at 3:33 pmSo delicious looking Kathleen, especially the shiny icing.
Nina Timm says
July 10, 2010 at 3:07 pmSounds easy enough even for a non-baker like me. A photo of my family when I present them with a plate full of these, will be priceless!!
Chef Dennis says
July 10, 2010 at 2:31 pmthose are beautiful cupcakes…so rich and chocolatey…..that frosting is calling to me!
Krista says
July 10, 2010 at 12:20 pmBookmarking this for my daughter's birthday. She is a huge fan of chocolate (just like me). And I love Cook's Illustrated! These look wonderful. Thank you for posting the recipe!
Pam says
July 10, 2010 at 10:29 amThey look great! I'm not a huge fan of chocolate but, my hubby is so this is bookmarked. I love Cooks Illustrated though, and I know they are delicious!
Memória says
July 10, 2010 at 9:22 amYour cupcakes look absolutely perfect, and this recipe has tempted me to stray away from my go-to recipe for chocolate cake. Amazing photos! I wish I could pipe this well.