Mocha Cupcakes with Ganache Glaze

 I got a new cupcake pan that I really wanted to try out, so I decided to take some leftover chocolate and make these delicious cupcakes. I made these pretty late, so apologies for the harsh indoor lighting! The coffee in the recipe can easily be omitted if you prefer a chocolate flavor instead. I made these cupcakes with coconut sugar, and they turned out just as delicious as they do when I use white sugar. I also didn't use the traditional double boiler or heavy cream to make the ganache topping because I was looking for a quick method with ingredients I have on hand - but you can certainly go that route instead. These cupcakes look gorgeous, and taste even better the day after you make them - if you can wait that long. I didn't have raspberries on hand, but they would look and taste lovely with a raspberry on top of each cupcake for contrast. Serve these goodies at room temperature. Enjoy!

Here's the recipe:
Cupcakes

• 5 oz. dark chocolate
• 1 stick of butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tsp instant coffee powder
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup milk

Ganache Frosting

• 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• scant 1/3 cup whole milk or heavy cream

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

2. melt chocolate and stick of butter in the microwave (I heated for about 40 seconds, stirring halfway.)

3. Whisk together eggs, sugar, coffee and vanilla extract, and cocoa powder until fully combined. 

4. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, and salt and combine

5. Once the chocolate-butter mixture has cooled, add it to the egg mixture and combine. 

6. With a spatula, slowly combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients until the batter is smooth. 

7. Add milk and stir. 

8. Grease a 24 count cupcake pan well, and spoon batter into molds. Bake for 12 minutes, and then let cool.

9. When the cupcakes have cooled, microwave chocolate chips and milk for 20 seconds, and then stir together to combine until mixture is glossy.

10. Spoon ganache over the top of the cupcakes carefully, to glaze them. 

11. Let cool, and then serve. Enjoy!

Glazed cupcakes and Coco!