Black Forest Cupcakes

By Texaschef11

Ingredients

• Chocolate Cake Batter:
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 & 3/4 cups all-purpose flour – sifted once
• 3/4 cup dark cocoa
• 1 tsp. espresso or finely ground coffee
• 1 & 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 & 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 large eggs – room temp
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup boiling water

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the first seven ingredients – the dry ingredients. Crack eggs and lightly beat, then add milk, melted butter and vanilla. Add in small batches to dry until batter is smooth – about two minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).

Pour into prepared pans or cupcake tins and bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes our clean. Allow cake(s) to cool slightly before turning out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Brandied Maraschino Cherries:
1 jar of Trader Joe’s Morello Cherries in light syrup (This one is 24 oz. You are looking for a more sour preserved cherry)
1/2 Cup Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
1/2 Cup Brandy
1/2 Cup evaporated (raw) cane sugar

Process:

Strain the cherries, pouring all of the liquid into a small saucepan
Put the strained cherries in an airtight jar.
Bring to a boil and add the sugar. Stir (so it doesn’t burn) until the sugar is dissolved and then simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Let cool
Add the cherry syrup, luxardo, and brandy to the jar. Top off with more luxardo as needed to fill the jar.
Let sit overnight and store in the refrigerator.


Whipped Topping:
2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar - sifted

In a large bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks are just about to form. Beat in vanilla and sugar until peaks form. Make sure not to over-beat, cream will then become lumpy and butter-like.

Tips for perfect whipped cream:

Use a glass or metal mixing bowl
Chill bowl and beaters in freezer about 10-20 minutes prior to beating
Steer clear of light creamer or ultra-pasteurized. You want preferably heavy cream. The consistency will be thicker and easier to get great results.