Chocolate & Blueberries Cupcakes

/ Sunday, 24 May 2015


It’s been ages since I baked something with blueberries, so I thought it would be cool and appropriate to take the occasion, buy these seasonal fruits and use them for a cupcake recipe.
As usual, it’s a very simple recipe and you really don’t have to be a high qualificate pastry chef to do them. Also they are super fluffy, tasty and absolutely perfect for a late spring tea party in the garden or staying locked down in your room whilst watching 10 episodes of your favourite tv show (obviously in tears because we are young and we have no life).

Turn on the radio or your favourite spring-y playlist and let’s get started!


INGREDIENTS:
(makes 26-28 cupcakes)

175g unsalted butter (softened)
100g chocolate (70%)
300g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
275g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 eggs (lightly beaten)
200ml milk
1 tbsp vinegar
80g chocolate chips

FROSTING:

500g cream cheese
50g unsalted butter (softened)
250g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract 
300g blueberries
chocolate chips


METHOD:

Preheat the oven to 180.
Put the chocolate into a mixing bowl (metal or glass one) placed over a saucepan with simmering water (this method is called bain-marie - nb. the bottom of the bowl shouldn’t touch the water, otherwise it would compromise the melting process). Stir the chocolate until melted, then set it aside to cool.
In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and once again, set the bowl aside.
Put the milk and the vinegar in a cup, stir and set aside.
In a third large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Then add slowly the eggs and the vanilla extract, still beating. When it’s well combined and fluffy, add melted chocolate and the milk mixture. Continue beating until smooth. Finally, add the flour mixture in 3 steps and when the batter becomes well combined, turn off the mixer, add chocolate chips and stir the batter with a wooden spoon.

Fill up the paper baking cups to about 1/2 - 3/4 to the way up and bake for about 15-20 minutes.


Once baked, set them aside until completely cool. 
Meanwhile you can prepare the frosting, which is pretty simple to do as well:
Beat the butter, cream cheese and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Then add the icing sugar in two steps, beat for another 2-3 minutes... and it’s done!

For decorating, you can use a piping bag with nozzles of your choice or you can just put the frosting with a small spatula/spoon for a rough and kinda rustic look. I used a spatula just because my piping bag shattered a few days ago and I still haven’t bought a new one… Shame on me!
However, once you put the frosting on your cupcakes, you can decorate them whatever you want them to look like… I put blueberries and chocolate chips on top but you can use any kind of fruits of your choice (nb. strawberries or raspberries taste really good with chocolate cupcakes).
Anyway, give them a try!


Song of the day: The Beach Boys - Kokomo

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