Ruth Pretty's "Just Eat Me" Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe
With Mother's Day just over a week away, we thought it was high time for a little sweet inspiration for Mum. This week's recipe is care of our friend Ruth Pretty - and by all accounts it's a very popular one from her famous kitchen, especially at Mother's Day. We hope you enjoy whipping up a batch of Ruth's "Just Eat Me" Chocolate Cupcakes for Mum (with a fun Mother's Day message!).
For the Cupcakes
50g dark chocolate buttons (or block chopped into pieces)
90g brown sugar
190ml (3/4 cup) milk (heated to almost boiling)
65g butter (chopped and softened)
110g brown sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
125g flour
18g (3 tbsp) cocoa
½ tsp baking soda
For the Icing
Add the egg to the butter mixture, combining well.
Sift flour, cocoa and baking soda together and add to the butter mixture, then combine well. Add chocolate mixture and stir until combined.
90g brown sugar
190ml (3/4 cup) milk (heated to almost boiling)
65g butter (chopped and softened)
110g brown sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
125g flour
18g (3 tbsp) cocoa
½ tsp baking soda
For the Icing
90ml cream
90g dark chocolate (buttons or block chopped into pieces)
90g dark chocolate (buttons or block chopped into pieces)
75g white chocolate (buttons or slab chopped into pieces), melted
Method
Preheat oven to 180ºC. Line 30 baby muffin tins with 30 mini cupcake cases (the mixture is very runny, so it is important to place paper cases in muffin tins so that the cupcakes are supported).
In a heavy based saucepan place chocolate, 1st measure of brown sugar and milk. Stir over a low heat until chocolate is melted. (This mixture appears curdled). Set aside.
Using an electric mixer or a wooden spoon, cream butter and the second measure of brown sugar. The mixture will look pale and creamy.
Method
Preheat oven to 180ºC. Line 30 baby muffin tins with 30 mini cupcake cases (the mixture is very runny, so it is important to place paper cases in muffin tins so that the cupcakes are supported).
In a heavy based saucepan place chocolate, 1st measure of brown sugar and milk. Stir over a low heat until chocolate is melted. (This mixture appears curdled). Set aside.
Using an electric mixer or a wooden spoon, cream butter and the second measure of brown sugar. The mixture will look pale and creamy.
Add the egg to the butter mixture, combining well.
Sift flour, cocoa and baking soda together and add to the butter mixture, then combine well. Add chocolate mixture and stir until combined.
Pour mixture into paper cases. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cupcakes spring back when gently prodded.
Remove from the oven and, when cool enough to touch, remove cupcakes from muffin tins.
Remove from the oven and, when cool enough to touch, remove cupcakes from muffin tins.
While the cupcakes cool, make the Ganache icing. Pour the cream into a medium sized saucepan and place over a medium heat. Bring to just below boiling point then remove from heat. Add chocolate and stir until it is melted and the sauce is smooth. Leave to cool completely and when it begins to go tacky then apply.
When cold Ice with Ganache. Place cupcakes in a cool place for Ganache to set (but not in the fridge).
When cold Ice with Ganache. Place cupcakes in a cool place for Ganache to set (but not in the fridge).
To decorate your cupcakes, fit a piping bag with a size 2 or 3 nozzle (this is a small nozzle), or use a sandwich bag with a small snip off the bottom corner.
Pour the melted chocolate into the piping bag, and push the filling down towards the nozzle, then twist the top of the bag closed. Point the tip down onto each cupcake and apply pressure to pipe your message (piping in one swift movement is easier than slow stopping and starting).
Pour the melted chocolate into the piping bag, and push the filling down towards the nozzle, then twist the top of the bag closed. Point the tip down onto each cupcake and apply pressure to pipe your message (piping in one swift movement is easier than slow stopping and starting).
Get creative and decorate with a message, name, letters, number or a shape!