Devil's Food Cupcakes

These sponges with a cream cheese topping are light yet wonderfully chocolatey

• Cooking Time Prep 20 mins
  Cook 25 mins
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Makes 16

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  388

• Protein

  3g

• Carbs

  53g

• Fat

  20g

• Saturates

  12g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  43g

• Salt

  0.39g

Ingredients

• 50g cocoa powder
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 175g plain flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 225g caster sugar
• 175g unsalted butter, softened
• For the frosting
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 200g cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 400g icing sugar, sifted
• small handful silver balls or sprinkles, for decoration

Directions

1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line 2 muffin tins with 16 paper muffin cases. Whisk together 175ml boiling water with the cocoa powder in a medium-sized bowl until smooth. Allow the mixture to cool until it reaches room temperature (put it in the freezer to speed it up), then whisk it with the eggs and vanilla.
2. In an electric mixer, combine the flour, salt, bicarbonate of soda and sugar. Mix on a low speed for 30 secs, then add one-third of the cocoa liquid and softened butter. Keep mixing on a low speed, then turn up to medium high and beat for 1 min. Add the remaining liquid in 3 batches, beating each one for 30 secs. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula and mix one more time. Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full and bake for 20 mins, then remove and let them cool in the tin.
3. To make the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese for 2-3 mins until creamy, then add the vanilla. While still mixing, pour in the sugar in 4 batches, beating each time to fully combine. Beat for a further min, then chill for 2 hrs.
4. Swirl the frosting over the cooled cupcakes and decorate with silver balls or whatever you like.

Categories: All Christmas, Cakes & Baking