Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

dale!'s Note:

Who doesn't love a chocolate cupcake? These ones are extra special as they have a wicked chocolate-hazelnut glaze!

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 125 g dark chocolate , chopped
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 125 g butter , chopped
• ½ cup caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup self raising flour

GLAZE

• 400 g dark chocolate , chopped
• ½ cup thickened cream
• 1 tablespoon hazelnut-flavored liqueur

Directions:

1. Grease a 12 hole muffin pan.
2. Place chocolate, milk and sifted cocoa powder in a small saucepan and stir over a low heat until the chocolate has melted and is smooth.
3. Remove from the heat and cool.
4. Beat the butter and sugar in a small bowl, with an electric mixer, until light and fluffy.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined.
6. Stir in the chocolate mixture and the sifted flour.
7. Spoon mix evenly into muffin tray.
8. Bake at 160 degree C for about 25 minutes, or until cooked.
9. Cool cupcakes in the pan.
10. To make the glaze, place chocolate, cream and liqueur in a small heatproof bowl over simmering water and stir until chocolate has melted.
11. Cool the glaze a little then spoon over the tops of the cooled cakes.
12. Decorate cakes with fresh raspberries or any fruit of your choice and perhaps some whipped cream!

Reviews

[CulinaryQueen]

These were OK, but maybe they'll taste better after I glaze them. They didn't rise very high (maybe my flour is too old?) and they seem dry. I think 10 cupcakes would have been better than the 12. Sorry.

[Charishma_Ramchandani]

Loved these cupcakes! I made them for a family friend who is coming over to our place tonight to celebrate his 40th birthday! His daughter and son love chocolate, so I thought this would make them really happy. The cupcakes look like they've come straight from a bakery - very impressive when decorated with thinly sliced fresh strawberries over a dollop of swirled whipped cream! Since I did not get any hazelnut-flavoured liqueur in my city, I've used some hazelnut chocolate melted as a substitute. Thanks Dale for helping me make their day so special:-)!