[Irresistible] Chocolate Cupcakes

I can't refuse these cupcakes.
No matter what "diet" I am on, I always make an exception. They are labeled as a Can't Refuse Food! because they are the best that I've ever had. Every time I make them, I alter either the recipe or presentation slightly to get the best results. I will share step by step how to achieve the perfect [Irresistible] Chocolate Cupcakes with hints that I have found help tremendously.

They start with a chocolate coffee cake, then they get a homemade dark chocolate ganache filling, and then are topped with a puff of chocolate whipped cream. The flavors don't overwhelm with sweetness like most chocolate cakes, they all work together to create the perfect combination of flavors. I like to eat mine warm with the cool topping... I admit I've burned my mouth on them!

The original batter is complicated and uses a lot of ingredients. I found in the last batch I made, that it saves a great deal of time [and money] to use a good boxed chocolate cake mix and substitute a cup of the water for a cup of room temperature coffee [I believe in most cake mixes, there is about a 1 cup and 1/3 water, so for instance, add one cup coffee and 1/3 cup water]. It deepens the flavor and even the batter tastes delicious.
However, I forgot I added the coffee then let my two year old son have a bit of the batter with me after we filled the cupcake pans. He was in a really good mood after the chocolate/coffee combination! Lesson learned!

[Irresistible] Chocolate Cupcakes

I box Chocolate Cake
1 cup coffee at room temperature substituted for one cup of water

Combine ingredients [add coffee at the same time as you would normally add the water]. Then divide batter into 24 cupcakes and bake as directed on package. I have found that using a 1/4 measuring cup to pour the batter into the cupcake tins ensures that they will be the same size and bake evenly.

Chocolate Ganache

2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter cut into small pieces
[to make it easy to melt]
3/4 cup of Heavy Cream
8 oz of Semi Sweet Chocolate finely chopped
[or 8 baking squares when each one equals an oz]
1 Teaspoon Vanilla

While the cupcakes are baking, let the butter melt in a warm, but not boiling, saucepan [turned to medium low or low, depending on your stove]. Add the other ingredients and continue mixing until the chocolate melts [the finer the cut, the quicker it will melt] and the entire mixture thickens and unifies in color. Turn off heat and move the saucepan away from the burner, you don't want the chocolate to burn or dry out.

I have found that there are a couple ways to add the ganache to the cupcakes. You can cut a hole out of the top of the cupcake with a melon baller, and add a teaspoon of ganache, then put the cake back and cover with whipped cream.
The method I prefer, is when the ganache cools slightly [so it's not so hot it will melt the bag], pipe the ganache directly into the cupcakes. I just put the tip right into the cupcakes from the top of the cake, and squeeze in filling about five times for each cupcake [think of it like filling Twinkies]. Then I use the remaining chocolate to cover the top of the cupcakes [this also hides the holes from piping the chocolate into the cupcakes and helps pull off a cleaner presentation]. The delicious filling makes the cupcakes similar to molten cakes when they are served warm.

Chocolate Whipped Cream Topping

2 1/2 cups Heavy Cream [cold]
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar [sifted]
2 Tablespoons unsweetened Cocoa Powder [sifted]
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
Strawberries [optional]

The Whipped Cream Topping is easy to make, but it takes a small amount of planning ahead. I freeze the bowl and whisk that I will be using about 15 minutes to a half hour before I plan to make it. The longer the better. That way, you are working with materials that will help the cream thicken. This is important especially in the summer, when everything is melting. Pour in the cream. Then add the sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Turn on mixer to low to allow them to combine. Then turn it to high, add the vanilla, and let it mix until you can see it thicken and when you lift the whisk, the cream has stiff peaks. If you're using cold utensils and ingredients, this should only take a couple minutes.

Before I add the whipped cream, [when I am not serving these c a kes right away], I prefer to warm them up either in the microwave or oven, so that the ganache inside warms up and the cake is warm. Be warned that although it is my favorite way to eat them, the

whipped cream will slide right off the cupcake, so I serve it on the side. Otherwise, take the cooled cake with ganache inside and put a dollup of whipped cream on top and a bit of sprinkled cocoa powder. If you have leftover ganache, you can melt it a bit and drizzle it over top. Strawberries also taste perfect.... make it yours! Enjoy!