[post_ads]I adapted the cake portion for these cupcakes from my favorite chocolate cake recipe. It’s moist and fluffy with just the right amount of density to it. Then I topped them with my all time favorite buttercream frosting recipe, and added vanilla beans to make it more like a vanilla bean ice cream. And yes, that cherry on top is a must. I still remember going through the drive through of the ice cream shop when I was little and begging for a cherry on top of my bubble gum ice cream, every time. It’s the little things in life right :)? Now I just buy maraschino cherries on occasion and just pop them like candy. My kids can’t get enough of them either. I also think the nuts are a must on these because they give that light crunch and I use lightly salted nuts to add just a hint of salty to balance out the sweet.
I love all the different textures and flavors of this cupcake and how they all come together to remind you of your favorite ice cream sundae. Definitely a must try recipe! Enjoy!
Ingredients
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup +2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup boiling water
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp canola oil
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 Tbsp milk
3 Tbsp sour cream
Chocolate Sauce and toppings
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped mixed nuts (I like peanuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts)
12 maraschino cherries with stems
Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting
3/4 cup butter , at room temperature (1/2 cup unsalted and 1/4 cup salted)Seeds of 1/2 a vanilla bean I sell them!
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp heavy cream
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large, heat proof mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and brown sugar (lumps are fine), then whisk in cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Carefully pour boiling water in to cocoa mixture and immediately whisk to blend well, about 15 - 20 seconds. Allow to cool 5 minutes.
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Using an electric hand mixer set on low speed blend in canola oil until combined, about 10 seconds. Add eggs to cocoa mixture and blend on low speed just until combined, about 5 seconds. Add egg yolks and vanilla extract and blend just to combined. Then add flour and blend just until combined. Pour in milk and sour cream and blend 1 minute on low speed.
Once cool, pipe Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting over cupcakes and drizzle each with chocolate sauce and sprinkle with nuts. Add another small bit of frosting and top with a maraschino cherry.
For the chocolate sauce:
Place chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl. Bring cream just to a boil in a small saucepan, then carefully pour hot cream over chocolate chips. Stir until melted. Cool slightly (until it's not so runny).
For the Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting:
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, using the paddle attachment whip butter with vanilla bean seeds on medium-high speed until nearly white and very fluffy, about 7 - 8 minutes, frequently scrapping down the sides and bottom of the bowl (note that if you have the paddle attachment that constantly scrapes the bowl you can reduce the time by several minutes).
Blend in vanilla extract. Add in 1 cup of the powdered sugar, then and heavy cream and mix on low speed until combined. Add remaining powdered sugar and blend on low speed until combined then increase speed to medium and beat until very light and fluffy, about 5 - 6 minutes, frequently scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
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