Friday, November 13, 2009

Chocolate Chip Mascarpone Cupcakes


Cupcakes:

  • 5 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
  • 2 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (recommended: Nestle morsels)

Ganache:

  • 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (recommended: Nestle morsels)
  • 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Special equipment: 2 (12-count) muffin pans with paper liners

Directions

For the Cupcakes:
Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
Combine the unsweetened chocolate and water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until the chocolate is melted, about 2 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes. Whisk in the mascarpone cheese until the mixture is smooth.
Beat the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl for 30 seconds. Stir in the mascarpone mixture. Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture. Stir until just blended.
Divide the batter among the prepared muffin pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a tester inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out with no crumbs attached. Cool the cupcakes completely before dipping, about 1 hour.
For the Ganache:
Place the chocolate chips in a small bowl. Combine the heavy cream and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook until small bubbles appear on the outside edge of the cream. Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate chips. Using a fork, gently stir until all the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
Dip the tops of each cupcake in the ganache and transfer to a baking sheet. Place the dipped cupcakes in the refrigerator to set, about 15 to 20 minutes. Allow cupcakes to return to room temperature before serving.
Cook's Note: For puffier cupcakes allow the batter to rest in the muffin pans for 20 minutes before baking.

*Recipe from Giada de Laurentiis

(she's one of my favorites and has lots of great Italian recipes)

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