Winter delight!

Winter has truly set in and with that comes guaranteed rainy days spent inside with nothing to do. Well, that's not entirely true! I decided to give you guys a recipe for chocolate cupcakes to keep you occupied as the rain pours down overhead..

First up, put together an awesome playlist on your ipod. Then, turn up the heating in your apartment full blast, get down to your knickers and an old t shirt and get cooking! (apron and boyfriend optional)
You will need:

100g dark chocolate
1 cup (250ml) water
125 g butter, softened
11/4 cups (255g) brown sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups (225g) self-raising flour
1/2 cup (75g) plain flour
1/4 cup (30g) cocoa powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Line 18 x 1/3-cup (80ml) capacity muffin pans with paper cases.
2. Combine the chocolate and water in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
3. Use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well between each addition, until just combined. Add the flours and cocoa powder and stir until just combined. Add the melted chocolate mixture and stir to combine. Spoon evenly among the lined muffin pans. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool.

And that's not all!

Here is a recipe for toppings that will make you squeal with delight!

♥
Butter frosting
200g butter, softened
6 cups (900g) icing sugar mixture
1/2 cup (125ml) milk

1. Use an electric mixer to beat the butter until very pale. Gradually add the icing sugar while beating. Add the milk and beat until well combined.
2. Divide frosting into small bowls and colour. Use a small palette knife or round-bladed knife to spread the icing.

♥
Chocolate sour cream ganache
300g dark chocolate
300g sour cream

1. To make the chocolate sour cream ganache, place the chocolate and sour cream in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.
2. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth and glossy. Spread over each cake and set aside to set.

So don't sit around eating bread out of a bag, dipping it in anything runnier than bread!

Get in the kitchen and get creative!

Bon Appetit!

xo-xo