Description
Rich chocolate cupcakes highlight pure indulgence with silky ganache and delicate buttercream. Professional bakers and home cooks will savor each luxurious chocolate-infused bite of this classic dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 sticks (340 g) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
- 4 oz (113 g) finely chopped semisweet chocolate
- 1 cup (120 g) Dutch process cocoa powder, sifted
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120 ml) cold heavy whipping cream
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- Ganache Preparation: Heat heavy cream in a saucepan until tiny bubbles appear, then remove from heat. Sprinkle finely chopped chocolate into hot cream and let rest for 3-4 minutes to ensure complete melting.
- Ganache Refinement: Whisk the mixture until it transforms into a silky, glossy ganache. Allow to cool and thicken at room temperature to approximately 75°F (24°C) for about 15-20 minutes.
- Frosting Base: In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Mix at low speed to prevent splattering, then increase to medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Final Frosting Integration: Reduce mixer speed to medium-low and gradually stream in the cooled chocolate cream. Continue mixing for 1-2 minutes until the frosting lightens in color, increases in volume, and reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Notes
- Master Ganache Technique: Warm cream gently and remove immediately when tiny bubbles appear to prevent scorching and ensure smooth chocolate melting.
- Temperature Control Matters: Allow chocolate cream to cool precisely to 75°F for perfect frosting consistency, using a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
- Mixing Method Magic: Start mixing at low speed to prevent ingredient splatter, then gradually increase to create light, airy frosting texture.
- Chocolate Cream Incorporation: Stream cooled chocolate cream slowly and steadily while mixing to achieve a silky, uniform frosting without separation.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 317
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg