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Chocolate Cupcakes with Crispy Magic Frosting

Photo Credit
Carol Mellema/Shutterstock
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
12 cupcakes
Category
Cakes and Frostings
Course
Desserts
Preparation Method
Bake

These rich chocolatey cupcakes with “magic” frosting come courtesy of Joanne Chang, chef/owner of Flour Bakery Café in Boston. With their moist texture and sweet topping, they’re one of her bestsellers.

The cooked frosting is wonderfully light and airy (and isn’t really that hard to make). We found that the recipe made a lot of extra frosting. So, if you don’t want to create castle-high frosting, you could always store it in the fridge for a few days (in an airtight container). When you use it again, warm it to room temperature, and then mix it for a few minutes until smooth.

Ingredients
2 ounces (56 grams) unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup (30 grams) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick/114 grams) unsalted butter
1/3 cup (80 grams) water
1/2 cup (120 grams) milk
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (140 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Position a rack in the center of the oven, and heat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a standard 12-cup muffin tin, or line with paper liners.
  2. In a small heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate and cocoa powder. In a small saucepan, heat the granulated sugar, butter, and water over medium-high heat, whisking occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Pour the hot butter-sugar mixture over the chocolate-cocoa mixture and whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is homogeneous.
  3. Whisk the milk, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla into the chocolate mixture until thoroughly combined.
  4. In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well mixed. Dump the flour mixture on top of the chocolate mixture. Whisk until the dry ingredients are totally mixed into the chocolate mixture. Let the batter sit for at least 1 hour at room temperature, or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. (This allows the liquid to be totally absorbed into the batter, so the batter thickens up a bit and isn’t so soupy.)
  5. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, dividing it evenly and filling the cups to the rim. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the tops spring back when pressed with a fingertip. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Crispy Magic Frosting

Ingredients
2/3 cup (140 grams) granulated sugar
2 egg whites
1-1/2 cups (3 sticks/342 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 2-inch chunks
1-2/3 cups (230 grams) confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. To make the frosting: While the cupcakes are cooling, in a small heatproof bowl. Whisk together the granulated sugar and egg whites to make a thick slurry. Place the bowl over (not touching) simmering water in a saucepan and heat, whisking occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the mixture is hot to the touch. It will thin out a bit as the sugar melts.
  2. Remove from the heat and scrape the mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whip attachment (or use a handheld mixer). Whip on medium-high speed for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the mixture becomes a light, white meringue and is cool to the touch. Turn down the speed to medium, add the butter, a few chunks at a time, and beat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the butter is thoroughly incorporated.
  3. Add the confectioners’ sugar, salt, milk, and vanilla and continue to beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and satiny. You should have about 3-1/2 cups. (Use immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days, then beat with the stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for a few minutes until smooth before using. Or, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, then bring to room temperature and paddle for a few minutes until smooth before using.)
  4. Remove the cupcakes from the muffin tin. Fit a pastry bag with a small round or star tip and fill the bag with the frosting, then pipe the frosting onto cupcakes. Or, spread the frosting on the cupcakes with an icing spatula.
  5. The cupcakes taste best on the day they are baked, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

About The Author
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...
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Comments

<span>Linda</span> Wed, 12/09/2020 - 19:22
I do not own a stand mixer. Can this recipe work using a handmixer?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 12/10/2020 - 12:12

Yes, Linda, you can use a hand mixer. Enjoy!

 <span>'Anna</span> Wed, 06/17/2020 - 21:15
Hello, The recipe is missing the “crispy” topping ingredient referenced in the title and photo. Please advise. Thanks.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 06/18/2020 - 14:43

Hello, Anna. The "crispy" part of the frosting comes from whipping the egg whites. The frosting will not be smooth like you would normally expect on a cupcake, but will have a slight "crispy" texture similar to meringue.

 <span>Kathy</span> Wed, 06/03/2020 - 11:54
Hello ... Frosting recipe missing egg white amount. Thank you. Sounds delicious. Something a little different is always welcome.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 06/03/2020 - 14:41

Hi, Kathy. You will need 2 egg whites.

 <span>Fran</span> Wed, 06/03/2020 - 06:25
How many eggs whites are needed in the frosting recipe? Thank you.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 06/03/2020 - 14:41

Hi, Fran. You will need 2 egg whites.