| Level: | Intermediate |
| Total: | 1 hr 50 min |
| Active: | 50 min |
| Yield: | 24 cupcakes |
Ingredients
- 2 cups cake flour, sifted before measuring
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk, at room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Splash of heavy cream, if needed
- Edible silver dragees, for decorating
Instructions
- For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the cups of two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake liners.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl.
- Put the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted, about 1 1/2 minutes (or melt it in a double boiler).
- Put the granulated sugar, brown sugar and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the melted chocolate and beat to combine. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the milk, and beat on low until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, about 1/4 cup batter in each. Bake until the cupcakes are domed slightly and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Cool completely on a rack.
- For the icing: Make the icing right before you are ready to frost the cupcakes. Combine the granulated sugar, buttermilk, butter, baking soda and vanilla in a medium to large heavy-bottomed saucepan (the liquid will double in volume). Insert a candy thermometer, bring to a boil and boil over medium-high heat until the mixture reaches soft-ball stage (235 degrees F), 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat as it hits the soft-ball stage to avoid over caramelizing.
- Working very quickly but carefully, pour the caramel into the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium-high speed until cooled to warm, about 5 minutes. Working quickly, spoon about a tablespoon of the caramel icing onto each cupcake. (Caramel hardens a little as it cools; whip in a splash of heavy cream to loosen it up if needed.) Let stand until set, about 5 minutes. Decorate with edible silver dragees.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 24 servings |
| Calories | 288 |
| Total Fat | 12 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 43 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 32 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 41 mg |
| Sodium | 203 mg |
Reviews
Really loved the cake. Adding the melted chocolate to the batter added the perfect hint of chocolate! Made no adjustments. Didn’t have a candy thermometer but I cook caramel frequently and was able to get a good frosting!!! Will definitely make again!