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Monday, October 12, 2009

October 18: National Chocolate Cupcake Day


October 18 is National Chocolate Cupcake Day. I've given various Chocolate Cupcake Recipes before, and I had planned to do a round-up of chocolate cupcake recipes, but instead, I thought I'd post a wonderful Chocolate Cupcake recipe by Grace Parisi on Food & Wine. I like a good chocolate ganache for these, but you can use any of your favorite toppings or have a look at suggestions below.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper or foil liners.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter with the vegetable oil and water over low heat.
3. In a large bowl, sift the flour with the sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Add the melted butter mixture and beat with a handheld mixer at low speed until smooth. Add the egg and beat until incorporated, then add the buttermilk and vanilla and beat until smooth, scraping the bottom and side of the bowl. Pour the batter into the lined muffin tins, filling them about three-fourths full.
4. Bake the cupcakes in the center of the oven for about 25 minutes, until springy and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool slightly, then transfer them to a rack to cool completely. Frost and top the cupcakes as desired.

Want to vary this recipe? Grace Parisi gives you tips to create mix-and-match cupcakes using this recipe with different toppings.

Another idea that's always fun and beautiful is to top the chocolate ganache with a chocolate covered strawberry.

Photo: Kana Okada

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