Chocolate cupcakes
Treat the chocolate lovers of your family with this delicious cupcake - perfectly baked, no frosting, medium sweet and lots of dry fruits/nuts.
I have tried lots of cup cake recipes from net and this one is the perfect recipe that has made me happy in terms of taste and texture (after trying at least 10 different recipes). I have come across cake recipes, that uses oil instead of butter. In one of my previous attempts I had used olive oil and the taste was disastrous. Even though the texture was good, the distinct taste of oil had somewhat ruined the cake. Oil based cakes do not appeal me as they do become crumbly.
The secret to a good cake is following the exact measurements. Never change the quantity of sugar, butter and flour. A small change in the proportion, and you end up with totally different results. Finally it is very important that you bake the cake at around 170 - 175 degrees. Too high a temperature and the cake is burnt on top and undercooked in the centre.
What you’ll need :
1/3 cup brown sugar(65 gm)
2/3 cup white sugar(130 gm)
1/2 cup butter (at room temperature) (113 gm)
2 eggs
2 tsp cocoa powder
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour (187 gm)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup milk
100 gm chocolate chips
pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter)
Handful of nuts or muesli
How to :
1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. Line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla.
4. Melt the chocolate chips on a double boiler (or microwave for 1 min) and this to the liquid mixture
5. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk; and stir gently. Never beat the mixture once you add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full. Sprinkle some muesli or nuts of choice on top.
5. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in a preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Top the plain cup cakes with some chocolate ganache.
