Double Chocolate Malt Shop Cupcakes W Cherry Vanilla Buttercream Recipes

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MALT SHOP CUPCAKES W CHERRY-VANILLA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. line 2 regular 12- cuo tins with paper liners.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until well blended.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, malted milk powder, and espresso powder. Add the canola oil and eggs; whisk to blend. Add the milk mixture to the flour mixature and beat until smooth. Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat until combined. Stir in the minature chocolate chips.
• Divide the batter among the prepared cupcake tins, filling only halfway full. Bake the cupcakes for 15 to 17 minutes, until they spring back when touched and a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.
• While the cupcakes bake, prepare the buttercream. In the bowl of an electris mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the sugar and the butter on medium-low speed until well blended. Add the vanilla and whipping cream and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, until light, spreadable and fluffy. Beat in the cherry preserves until well incorporated.
• When the cupcakes have finished baking, let sit in the pans for 2 minutes and then transfer the cupcakes to the wire racks to cool for 10 minutes more.
• While the cupcakes cool, transfer the buttercream to a patry bag fitted with a large star tip. Alternatively, you can frost the cupcakes with a knife or offset spatula. When th ecupcakes have cooled, pipe the buttercream on decorativve swirls on top of the cupcake ( or swirl with a spatula ). Garnish on top of each cupcake with a malted milk ball or cherry and serve.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MINI CUPCAKES

Steps:

• This recipe makes about 50 to 60 miniature cupcakes.
• Line miniature muffin tins with liners (I purchase the mini liners at a craft store that carries cake supplies).
• Preheat oven to 350. Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt into a bowl and blend.
• Cream butter thoroughly, until very soft. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat for a minute or two. Beat in coffee mixture and vanilla.
• Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition.
• At low speed, add dry ingredients in three equal additions and milk in two equal additions. In other words, add one third of the dry mixture, then half of the milk, then another one third of the dry ingredients, followed by the rest of the milk, and then the last of the dry ingredients. Scrape down the bowl as needed. The mixture is about the consistency of a thick pudding.
• Stir in the miniature chocolate chips. Pour batter into cups. I fill them pretty close to the top; when they bake, they come over and make a mushroom shape, which is how I like them. If you prefer smaller, then fill accordingly. I have found that using a cookie scoop (looks like a small ice cream scoop, it's for cookie dough) works well to fill the muffin cups without too much mess.
• Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and let cool completely.
• For glaze, put chocolate, butter and cream in top of a double boiler (I just use two pots). Use low heat and stir until mixture is smooth. The glaze doesn't look very chocolate-like until right at the end. Stir completely to make as smooth as possible. Remove from heat and let the glaze cool for five minutes. Spoon glaze on each cupcake and swirl. A miniature rubber spatula works well. The glaze is very shiny, but becomes more fudge-like as it cools.
• Each time I make this recipe, I have glaze left over; you probably could cut it by one fourth, but I've never wanted to take a chance on not having enough. Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, the glaze left in the pan is the cook's reward -- have a couple spoonsfuls when you're done!

BILLY'S CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes.
• With mixer on low speed, add chocolate until just combined.
• Add milk, vanilla, and sugar; mix on medium until well combined, being careful not to overmix.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Note: to melt the chocolate, place in a double boiler over simmering water on low heat for 5-10 minutes; stir occasionally until the chocolate is completely smooth and no pieces remain; remove from heat and let cool 5-15 minutes or until lukewarm.
• To make the buttercream: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter using an electric mixer on MEDIUM speed for about 3 minutes or until creamy.
• Add the milk carefully and beat until smooth.
• Add the melted chocolate and beat well for 2 minutes.
• Add the vanilla and beat for 3 minutes.
• Gradually add in the sugar and beat on LOW speed until creamy and of desired consistency.
• **For icing a 3-layer cake use the following measurements: 2 cups unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons milk, 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 3 cups sifted powdered sugar.

CRUNCHY CHOCOLATE MALT CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Make the frosting: Sprinkle the sugar evenly in a large skillet and add the corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring once or twice. Continue to boil, swirling the pan but not stirring, until the caramel is amber. Carefully pour in the heavy cream (it can splatter) and add the butter. Simmer, whisking constantly, until the caramel is smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Combine both chocolates and the salt in a medium heatproof bowl. Pour the hot caramel over the chocolate and let stand until melted, about 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth and shiny, then cover and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or overnight. (The frosting can be made up to 2 days ahead.)
• Make the cupcakes: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with paper liners. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Sift the malted milk and cocoa powders into another bowl.
• Beat the sugar and butter in a third bowl with a mixer until light and fluffy, about 7 minutes. Add the malted milk powder mixture and beat until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the half-and-half in two parts, beginning and ending with flour.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cups, filling each about three-quarters of the way. Bake until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool in the pans 10 minutes, then transfer the cupcakes to racks to cool completely.
• Beat the chilled frosting with a mixer or whisk until thick, about 2 minutes, but don't overwhip. Spread on the cupcakes or transfer to a pastry bag with a star tip and pipe on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve, then sprinkle with the cereal.

VANILLA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Place the butter in a large mixing bowl.
• Add in 4 cups sugar, then the milk and vanilla.
• On medium speed of an electric mixer, beat about 3-5 minutes or until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well (about 2 minutes) after each addition, until the icing is thick enough for good spreading consistency (you may not need all of the sugar).
• If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly.
• Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.
• The icing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• **If making a 3-layer cake, use the following proportions: 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, 8-10 cups confectioner's sugar, 3/4 cup milk, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.