Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes With Ganache Fillingatk Recipes

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE (AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN) RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• 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 CREAMY CHOCOLATE FROSTING: Combine the sugar, egg whites, and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer, then place the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Heat the mixture, whisking gently but constantly, until slightly thickened and foamy and it registers 150 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 2 to 3 minutes. Using the whisk attachment, beat the mixture on medium speed in a standing mixer until it reaches the consistency of shaving cream and is slightly cooled, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the butter, 1 piece at a time, until smooth and creamy. (The frosting may look curdled after half of the butter has been added; it will smooth with additional butter.) Once all the butter is added, add the cooled melted chocolate and the vanilla and mix until combined, about 30 seconds, scraping the beater and sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as necessary. If, after you add the chocolate, the frosting seems too soft, chill it briefly and then re-whip until creamy. (The frosting can be made up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container. When ready to frost, place the frosting in a microwave-safe container and microwave briefly until just softened, 5 to 10 seconds. Once warmed, stir until creamy.)

MOIST CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH GANACHE FILLING

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and line cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
• p id="instruction-step-2″ class="p2″>2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
• p id="instruction-step-3″ class="p2″>3. Add butter and sugar to a large mixing bowl and cream together on medium speed until light in color and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. You should be able to see a noticeable change in color and texture.
• p id="instruction-step-4″ class="p2″>4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until combined.
• p id="instruction-step-5″ class="p2″>5. Combine the cocoa powder, vanilla and water and stir until combined. Add the mixture to the cake batter and mix until well combined.
• p id="instruction-step-6″ class="p2″>6. Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the batter. Begin by adding half of the dry mix, then mix until combined. Add the milk and mix until combined, scraping down the sides as needed. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix until well combined. 7. Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 full and bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs. 8. Remove cupcakes from the oven and allow to cool. 9. To make the ganache filling, add the chocolate chips and vanilla extract to a medium sized bowl. 10. Heat the heavy whipping cream until it just begins to boil, then pour it over the chocolate chips. 11. Allow the chocolate and cream and to sit for 3-5 minutes, then whisk together until smooth. Set aside to cool until at least room temperature. You could also refrigerate it until cold. 12. When you're ready to build the cupcakes, make the frosting. Add the butter to a large mixer bowl and beat until smooth and creamy. 13. Add about half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth and well combined. 14. Add the cocoa powder and mix until well combined and smooth. 15. Add the vanilla extract and 2-3 tablespoons of water or cream and mix until smooth and well combined. 16. Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth and well combined. 17. Add more water or cream until desired consistency is reached, then add salt. 18. To put the cupcakes together, use a cupcake corer or knife to remove the centers of the cupcakes. 19. Fill the centers of the cupcakes with the ganache filling (about a 1/2 tablespoon of ganache per cupcake), then pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes with the chocolate buttercream. I used Ateco tip 844. I also dusted the tops of the cupcakes with a little cocoa powder, if you'd like to do that. 20. Serve cupcakes at room temperature, but store in the fridge. Cupcakes are best eaten within 2-3 days.

CHOCOLATE GANACHE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Let eggs stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. In medium bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking soda and baking powder.
• Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar with electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Beat flour mixture into sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk on low speed, beating after each addition, just until smooth. Scrape side of bowl occasionally.
• Spoon batter evenly into muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake 14 to 17 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and cream uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds; stir. Continue to microwave in 15-second increments until chips can be stirred smooth. Grasp bottom of each cupcake, tip upside down, and dip into ganache, twisting slightly as pulling away for a smooth finish.
• To make white chocolate curls, pull a swivel-bladed vegetable peeler down the edge of white chocolate bar, using long, thin strokes. Sprinkle each cupcake with about 2 teaspoons white chocolate curls, using toothpick to lift curls. Let stand at room temperature until ganache is set, about 2 hours. Store at room temperature.