Fudge Cupcakes By Joanne Fluke Recipes

CHOCOLATE FUDGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F.
• Grease 12-cup muffin pan or line with baking cups.
• Place metal bowl over medium saucepan of barely simmering water (bowl should not touch water).
• Add butter and 6 oz chocolate.
• Let stand until melted; stir until smooth.
• Cool to room temperature.
• Whisk in sugar and egg yolks.
• Stir in flour and baking powder.
• In large bowl, beat egg whites at medium speed until frothy.
• Add cream of tartar.
• Beat at medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
• Fold one-fourth of the whites into chocolate mixture.
• Gently fold in remaining whites until mixed.
• Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling two-thirds full.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool on wire rack 10 minutes.
• Remove from pan; cool completely.
• To make chocolate curls for garnish, line 4x2x2-inch mini loaf pan with plastic wrap.
• Melt 6 oz of the chocolate in metal bowl set over pan of barely simmering water (do not let bowl touch water).
• Pour into mini loaf pan; cool until firm.
• Unmold chocolate; remove plastic wrap.
• Using vegetable peeler, make curls.
• In medium saucepan, combine remaining 6 oz semisweet chocolate and whipping cream.
• Heat over low heat until melted and smooth, stirring frequently.
• Spread each cupcake with frosting; let cupcakes stand until frosting is cool but not set.
• Garnish with chocolate curls.

FUDGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, rack in the middle position.
• Line a 12-cup muffin pan with double cupcake papers. This recipe makes 18 cupcakes, so you can add an additional 6-cup muffin pan or you can butter and flour an 8-inch square cake pan.
• Microwave the chocolate, raspberry syrup and 1/4 cup sugar in a microwave safe bowl on high for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave again for another minute. At this point, the chocolate will be almost melted, but will retain its shape. Stir the mixture until smooth and let cool to lukewarm.
• Measure flour, mix in baking powder and salt, and set aside. In an electric mixer beat the butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition to make sure they're thoroughly incorporated. Add approximately 1/3 of the flour mixture and 1/3 of the milk. When that's all mixed in, add another third of the flour and 1/3 of the milk. Once incorporated, add the remaining flour and milk. Mix thoroughly.
• Test your chocolate mixture to be sure it's cool enough to add (don't cook the eggs!). If it's fairly warm to the touch but not so hot you have to pull your hand away, you can add it. Stir thoroughly.
• LET THE BATTER REST FOR 5 MINUTES. Then stir it again by hand and fill each cupcake paper 3/4 full. (If you decide to use the cake pan, fill it as well.).
• Bake the cupcakes for 20-25 minutes. (The 8-inch cake pan should bake an additional 5 minutes.).
• Frosting:.
• You can use a double boiler, or a saucepan on the stovetop, stirring CONSTANTLY.
• Put the chocolate chips in the pan/boiler over medium heat. Stir until chocolate chips are melted. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and cook approximately 2 minutes, stirring constantly until the frosting is shiny and of spreading consistency.
• Spread on cupcakes, make sure to fill the "frosting pocket.".
• Give the frosting pan to your favorite person to scrape.
• (The cupcakes are better if you cool and cover them for a few hours before frosting them.).