Red Currant Chocolate Cupcakes

Yields 18 cupcakes.

• Prep time: 15min
• Cook time: 25min
• Total time: 40min
• Difficulty: Basic

These cupcakes are moist and light, with a delicious chocolate flavor. The chocolate’s intensity is offset by tart red currants, but raspberries or blueberries could be substituted. The recipe calls for strong, hot coffee, which enhances the chocolate flavor. You could substitute hot water for coffee.

For the red currant chocolate cupcakes.

Ingredients:

• 110g all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 50g cocoa powder
• 160g sugar
• 1 egg
• 120ml buttermilk
• 60g butter, melted
• 1 tsp dark rum
• 120ml hot coffee
• 60g red currants

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 180°C and prepare two muffin tins with paper liners.
In the bowl of your standing mixer, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and sugar. Beat in the egg, buttermilk, melted butter, and rum until smooth. With a rubber spatula, stir in the hot coffee. The batter will be extremely liquid.

Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups using a large measuring cup. Fill each liner no more than two-thirds of the way. (or the batter will rise over and make a big mess). Bake for 20-25 minutes, then top with red currant berries. Allow cupcakes to cool completely on wire racks before frosting.

For the chocolate ganache.

Ingredients:

• 150g chopped dark chocolate
• 150ml heavy cream
• red currants to garnish

Directions:

Set aside the chopped chocolate in a heat-resistant bowl. Bring heavy cream to a boil in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan and remove from heat. Allow to sit for a few minutes after pouring over the chocolate pieces. Gently whisk the mixture until it is combined. It would be ideal if you could obtain a thick and smooth ganache. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before frosting the cupcakes. Serve at room temperature, garnished with red currants.

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Commentary.

These aren’t your average chocolate cupcakes. Oh, no! They are most likely the best chocolate cupcakes I’ve ever made. Ever. Extremely moist and light, with a rich chocolate flavor enhanced by strong hot coffee. The intense chocolate flavor is broken up by tart red currants, resulting in a beautiful balance and a surreal eating experience. The smooth and silky dark chocolate ganache connects the two and elevates the cupcakes to a new level.

Thank you!