Death by Chocolate

Last week I meet up with a good friend. It was her birthday in September so as a very belated birthday cake, better late than never, I made her some double chocolate cupcakes (which she likes to call muffins). 

The choice of cup cakes as a birthday cake came about because my sister had said a couple of weeks earlier that she made a better cup cake than I do!!! So the war between sisters was on :)

I set out to make not only birthday cup cakes but make some super extraordinary cup cakes, that would win the war. And I think I have succeeded. 

So find the recipe below to the cup cakes that my friend has said "Oh my God those muffins are delicious!! They are the best I've ever had seriously" about. 

War won, I think!! :)

Cup Cakes

80g butter

1 1/4 cup white sugar

1 3/4 cup plain flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/3 cup cocoa powder (has to be dutch processed)

1 cup milk

2 eggs

pinch of salt

pre heat the oven to 180°C

Place the butter, sugar, flour, baking powder and cocoa into a bowl and slowly beat until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs.

In a separate bowl, combine the milk eggs and salt, mix with a fork to break up the eggs. Slowly pour this mixture into the flour mix and beat till the mixture is smooth.

Spoon into little cup cake cases and place in the oven for 20 minutes or until cooked.

Remove and let them cool before icing.

Icing/Frosting

200g milk/dark chocolate

240mls thickened cream

50g cream cheese (room temperature to avoid lumps)

35g white sugar

Cadburys Flake chocolate bar to decorate (optional)

Your going to need three bowls for this.

Bowl 1: Place the cream into a bowl and whisk until it forms peaks, then place to the side.

Bowl2 : Place the chocolate in a heat proof bowl and place in the microwave to melt (you could use a double boiler instead).

Bowl 3 : Beat the cream cheese and sugar together using and electric beater until combined. Then slowly add the chocolate and stir until it has all be incorporated. Then using a spatular fold the cream in.

Place the frosting into a piping bag and pipe onto the cup cakes, sprinkle with a broken up flake.

The gorgeous box in the photos is one I picked up yesterday from a huge antique store in Footscray. I have tried to go before however it was closed well yesterday it was not and I have found a new hunting ground. Its like a huge maze as soon as you think you have got to the end out pops another room filled to the brim. Its fantastic!