Sunken Chocolate Orange Cupcakes Recipes

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper liners.
• In a small bowl, stir the cocoa powder into the hot water until it dissolves; set aside.
• Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into a bowl.
• Using the finest rasps of a hand held grater, grate the zest from the orange into the bowl. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until well combined.
• Whisk in the buttermilk and vanilla, then the dissolved cocoa.
• Whisk in the melted butter, then the dry ingredients.
• Using a tablespoon, divide the batter among the muffin cups filling each about half full.
• Bake until the cupcakes are puffed and a skewer inserted into the center of one comes out clean 15-20 minutes.
• Let cool completely on a wire rack.
• Remove the cupcakes from the pan.
• To make the frosting, melt the chocolate in a double-boiler or in the microwave and let cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, using a stand mixer, beat the butter and confectioners' sugar with the paddle on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Beat in the melted chocolate until combined.
• Fill a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip with the frosting and pipe a spiral on top of each cupcake.
• Refrigerate the cupcakes until 30 minutes before serving to set the frosting.

SUNKEN CHOCOLATE-ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place almonds in processor. Using on/off turns, blend until nuts are coarsely ground.
• Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Microwave chocolate and butter in small bowl on high 30 seconds; stir. Microwave until almost melted, about 30 seconds longer. Stir to combine. Cool chocolate mixture until barely lukewarm but still liquid, about 5 minutes. Whisk egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar in large bowl until blended. Mix in orange peel, ground almonds, and chocolate mixture.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in another large bowl until mixture is thick and glossy and peaks form. Fold egg-white mixture into chocolate mixture in 3 additions. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups (about 1/3 cup batter in each). Bake until edges are firm and tops are cracked all over, about 16 minutes for very soft cake or about 22 minutes for firmer cake. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm in microwave in 10-second intervals before serving.