The moment I saw these adorable cupcakes on Katie’s blog I knew I absolutely had to make them. I went hunting at various stores for these cute cupcake liners and sprinkles, and got a bonus when I found these awesome “firework” toothpicks as well! These were the perfect simple yet festive dessert to finish off the casual family cookout we hosted for the Fourth of July. I’m sure these decorations could look cute with any red, white or blue frosted cupcake but I loved the chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting – delicious!
Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield: about 16 cupcakes
Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
4 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup oil
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
¾ cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
For the frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened but still cool
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened but still cool
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. Set aside.
In a double boiler or the microwave, melt the baking chocolate. Allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk to combine and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer cream butter, oil and sugars for two minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl combine milk and vanilla, and stir to combine.
Add the flour mixture and the milk mixture alternately to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the melted chocolate. Carefully spoon the batter into the prepared pan, filling each cup about ¾ full. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.
For the frosting, in the clean bowl of a stand mixer beat the cream cheese and butter on high speed until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Add in the vanilla and the powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Frost the cupcakes when they are completely cool and decorate as desired.
Source: adapted from Good Things Catered
