Chocolate Truffle Cupcakes

By carvalhohm

Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup hot coffee
• Chocolate Truffle Ganache, recipe follows
• Whipped Chocolate Buttercream, recipe follows

Details

Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat convection oven to 325 degrees. Line cupcake pan with 24 cupcake liners.

In mixing bowl, add sugar, vanilla and eggs, and mix until combined. With mixer on low speed, add milk and oil, and mix until well combined.

In separate bowl, add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt, and mix together. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture and mix on medium speed until the batter is smooth, about 2 minutes. Turn off mixer and add hot coffee. Mix on low for 2 minutes more.

Fill lines three-quarters full with batter and bake for 14 minutes. Once completely cooled, use a paring knife to cut out center of the cupcake.

To assemble: Using small ice cream scoop, fill cupcakes with 1 scoop of cooled Chocolate Truffle Ganache. Using piping bag with 1M tip, generously frost cupcakes with Whipped Chocolate Buttercream, making sure to cover filled area.

_*Chocolate Truffle Ganache:*_

2/3 cup boiling heavy cream
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 tablespoon chocolate liqueur

Add boiling cream to chips and stir together until chips are completely melted. Add liqueur, mix well and set aside to cool.

_*Whipped Chocolate Buttercream:*_

4 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

In electric mixer, beat butter on high for 2 minutes. Once butter is whipped, add powdered sugar 1 cup a time until well blended. Add vanilla and mix well. Add cocoa powder and blend on medium speed until well incorporated. With mixer on low speed, slowly add heavy cream. Once heavy cream is incorporated, turn mixer on high and whip for 3 to 4 minutes.