Extravagant Chocolate Cupcakes

Extravagant Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:

• 200g plain flour
• 60g cocoa powder
• 250g caster sugar
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 240ml whole milk
• 120ml vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 240ml boiling water

For the chocolate ganache filling:

• 200g dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 240ml double cream

For the frosting:

• 200g unsalted butter, softened
• 400g icing sugar
• 100g cocoa powder
• 3-4 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C for fan ovens) or Gas Mark 4. Line a muffin tin with paper cupcake cases.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and salt.
3. Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
4. Gradually add the boiling water, mixing continuously. The batter will be thin, but that’s okay.
5. Fill the cupcake cases two-thirds full with batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of a cupcake comes out clean.
6. While the cupcakes are cooling, make the chocolate ganache. Heat the double cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Allow the ganache to cool and thicken slightly.
7. Once the cupcakes have cooled, cut a small hole in the centre of each cupcake and fill with the chocolate ganache.
8. For the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the icing sugar and cocoa powder, beating well after each addition. Add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, and the vanilla extract. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
9. Pipe or spread the frosting onto the cupcakes, making sure to cover the ganache-filled hole.
10. Optional: For an extra touch of extravagance, top each cupcake with a piece of chocolate, a dusting of edible gold glitter, or a drizzle of extra ganache.

Indulge in these truly extravagant chocolate cupcakes that are a chocolate lover’s dream. Enjoy!