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Cupcakes: Chocolate-Orange Cupcakes

Source of Recipe


From "Williams-Sonoma Cake"






List of Ingredients



• 3 Tbsp Dutch-process cocoa powder
  
• 1/4 cup hot water
  
• 1-1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
  
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
  
• 1/4 tsp salt
  
• 1 orange
  
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  
• 1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
  
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
  
• .
  
• -- For the Frosting --
  
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate
  
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  






Instructions



1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper liners.
   
   
2. In a small bowl, stir the cocoa powder into the hot water until it dissolves; set aside. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together into a bowl. Using the finest rasps of a handheld grater, grate the zest from the orange into the bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until well combined. Whisk in the buttermilk and vanilla, then the dissolved cocoa. Whisk in the melted butter, then the dry ingredients. Using a tablespoon, divide the batter among the muffin cups, filling each about half full.
   
   
3. Bake until the cupcakes are puffed and a skewer inserted into the center of one comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Remove the cupcakes from the pan.
   
   
4. To make the frosting: Melt the chocolate and let cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, using a stand mixer, beat the butter and confectioners' sugar with the paddle on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Beat in the melted chocolate until combined.
   
   
5. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip with the frosting and pipe a spiral on top of each cupcake. Refrigerate the cupcakes until 30 minutes before serving to set the frosting.
   
   Makes 12 cupcakes.
   
   ....................
   
   MELTING CHOCOLATE
   
   To melt chocolate, chop it into small pieces and put it in a stainless-steel bowl. Set the bowl in a saucepan over, but not touching, barely simmering water. Heat until the chocolate melts, stirring occasionally. Do not allow any water or steam to come into contact with the chocolate, or it will become stiff and grainy.
   
   Or, chop the chocolate in large pieces, place in a microwave-safe dish, and microwave on low for 1 minute. Continue to microwave if necessary, checking every 20 seconds, until the chocolate looks softened, then stir until smooth and liquid.