Pecan Brownie Cupcakes

By MarieR

Ingredients

• Yield: 18 cupcakes
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 recipe Chocolate Ganache
• Frosting (recipe follows)
• Garnish: pecan halves and pecan pieces

Details

Servings 18

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine melted butter and cocoa powder. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Set aside. Let cool for
5 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, combine sugars and eggs. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add cooled butter mixture to sugar mixture, beating well. Add flour, salt, and vanilla to butter mixture, beating well. Add pecans, stirring to combine. Divide brownie mixture evenly among muffin cups, filling cups two-thirds full.
4. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 15 to 17 minutes. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Spread Chocolate Ganache Frosting on cupcakes. Garnish with pecans,
if desired.

Chocolate Ganache Frosting
Yield: approximately 2 cups
1/2 cup softened butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup natural unsweetened
cocoa powder 4 (1-ounce) squares bittersweet
chocolate, very finely chopped 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1. In a medium bowl, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating well. Add cocoa powder, beating well.
2. Place chocolate in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. In another small bowl, microwave cream on High until edges bubble, 20 to 30 seconds. Pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let cool for 5 minutes.
4. Spoon chocolate mixture into butter mixture. Beat at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Use immediately.