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Friday, February 29, 2008

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Better Than Sex Cupcakes: Chocolate Times Five

Better Than Sex Cupcakes: Chocolate Times Five

When I made saffron cupcakes, I commented that Groom 2.0 really just wanted a plain chocolate cupcake. Those of you that read the comments saw that he was quick to correct me,

"I don't want a 'plain chocolate cupcake'. I want a phenomenal, rich, delectable, 'better than sex' chocolate cupcake. Milk chocolate? White chocolate? Dark chocolate? All of the the above. Not EVERY cupcake needs to
have an unusual flavor or a quirky ingredient. There's no reason that traditional has to mean boring. If I wanted a boring chocolate cupcake, I'd got to the store and buy a box mix and do it myself. I want the Cupcake
Project version."

I couldn't help but to see his point. I had to create a Better than Sex Cupcake that lived up to his hopes.

The Five Chocolate Parts of the Better Than Sex Cupcakes

I created cupcakes that have five different chocolate components:

1. Chocolate cupcake recipe by Chockylit. On their own, these may be the best chocolate cupcakes you've ever had.
2. Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips mixed into the recipe.
3. Rich, decedent chocolate mousse filling.
4. Dark chocolate ganache made with 67 percent Patric chocolate.
5. White chocolate drizzle.

Were the Better Than Sex Cupcakes Better than Sex?

I offer you selected quotes from three tasters:

"Sex, what's that?"

"Mmmmmmm... chocolate"

"It could be better that sex. I'll have to go home and compare." (I never got a report from this taster on which was better. I can only assume the cupcakes were better and the taster didn't want to embarrass his lover.)

What about Bride 2.0?

It turns out these cupcakes were too rich for Bride 2.0. Groom 2.0 tried to explain that his ideal is a cupcake so rich that it is hard to finish. However, apparently he didn't sell her on it. I'll let them fight that one out.

Better Than Sex Cupcake Recipe Parts 1 and 2 - The Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Chips

The chocolate cake recipe came from Chockylit's cupcake blog. I am reprinting it below with my added step of mixing in chocolate chips. Chockylit points out that this recipe will make flat cupcakes, not domed ones. Do not try to overfill your cupcake liner. She recommend filling it 2/3 full. I changed the recipe to reflect the fact that I only filled mine about 1/2 way.

Makes 16 regular cupcakes.

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
• 1-1/4 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoons vanilla
• 2/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. Beat butter until softened. 
2. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until well combined. 
4. Measure the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a small sized bowl and whisk to combine.
5. Measure out the milk and vanilla and stir to combine.
6. Add about a third of the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar and beat to combine. Add about a half of the milk/vanilla and beat to combine. 
7. Continue adding, alternating between dry and wet and finishing with the dry. 
8. Stir in chocolate chips.
9. Scoop batter into cupcake cups about 1/2 full.
10. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Better Than Sex Cupcake Recipe Part 3 - The Chocolate Mousse Filling

You can fill these cupcakes with any chocolate mousse recipe you like. I strongly recommend trying a homemade chocolate mousse.

To fill the cupcakes, use a small paring knife to cut a cone into the cupcake. Spoon or pipe (I found piping to be easier) chocolate mousse into the hole. Replace the top. Don't worry if the top of the cupcake doesn't look pretty any more, you are going to frost over it so no one will know the difference.

Better Than Sex Cupcake Recipe Part 4 - The Dark Chocolate Ganache

I told you I would be making something with my amazing Patric chocolate. Here it is!

• 3.5 oz of dark chocolate broken into small pieces (I used Patric chocolate)
• 1/3 C heavy cream

Place the chocolate in a small glass bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it just starts to boil. Pour the cream over the chocolate and stir until all the chocolate is melted and integrated with the cream. While it is still warm, spread a thin layer of it over the cupcakes. It will harden when it cools.

FYI: Tempered Woman also had some quality chocolate (Amano's Ocumare) that she was saving for a special occasion. She used it in Chocolate Kahlua - Hazelnut Tartlettes. She's been waiting so patiently to see what I used mine in that I had to give her some link love.

Better Than Sex Cupcake Recipe Part 5 - The White Chocolate Drizzle

White chocolate drizzle is so pretty and professional looking, and it is so easy to do.

Melt 2 ounces of white chocolate. You can do this on the stove, but I find it easier to do in the microwave. I do it for 20 seconds at a time. Stir after each round. When it is all melted, you are done. It should take about a minute.

Pour the melted chocolate into a plastic sandwich bag or a disposable pastry bag. Cut a very small hole at the tip of the bag and draw whatever kind of funky pattern you want onto your

Read more: http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2008/02/better-than-sex-cupcakes-chocolate.html#ixzz1wAbGpysO