Sunday Funday Cupcakes

A snowy day in Kansas calls for some boozy baking.  No time for a grocery store run, so I worked with what was available in my pantry!

 Not a ton of snow, but a supr cold day. Totally not going outside if I can avoid it.... obviously baking cupcakes is a perfect indoor activity!

Chocolate Red Wine Cupcakes with ganache filling and Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Cake Ingredients:
2 dozen cupcakes:
2 cups cake flour
1/2 + 4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1.5 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
2 eggs at room temperature 
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups red wine (I used a malbec)

Ganache Ingredients:
4 oz semi sweet chocolate (morsels or finely chopped)
1 cup unsalted butter
4 oz red wine

Frosting Ingredients:
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons milk

 Cake Time:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Line a muffin tin with liners or parchment cups
3. In a bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter with the sugar at medium-high speed until fluffy for about 4 minutes. *Really beat it for four whole minutes. This makes a HUGE difference in cake texture* This is what fluffy butter looks like:
   
   
5. Add the egg and beat until incorporated
6. Add the vanilla and beat for two more minutes
7. Alternately fold in the dry ingredients and the wine, until just incorporated
   
8. Scrape batter into the cups for about 15 minutes, then cool completely

While your cupcakes cool, get started on your ganache filling:

Cupcake Corer in action...

Adding ganache with a pastry bag

1. Place the chocolate and the butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave for 10 seconds and them remove and stir. * Most chocolate chips have melting directions on the back of the package. If you find different instructions, follow the manufacturer's suggestion so that your chocolate doesn't burn*
3. Repeat the last step until the chocolate is all melted. Be careful not to burn the chocolate.
4. Slowly pour in wine and mix thoroughly.
5. Place in the refrigerator until it sets (about 10 minutes).
6. Once the cupcakes are cooled, using a paring knife, cut cone shape holes into each cupcake.  *I use a cupcake corer here... nifty little gadget that saves a considerable amount of time*
7. Place ganache filling into piping bags or into a plastic bag and cut off the tip
8. Fill each cupcake with ganache filling then replace the tops of the cupcakes.

Frosting Time:
Beat butter and cream cheese.  You will have to beat the butter and cream cheese for a few minutes to obtain a fluffy texture.  Add sugar, cinnamon and milk and beat for 2 minutes. Spread on anything because it is delicious.

Frosting ready to go

Beginning to pipe with Wilton tip 1M

Perfection! The winter decorations are a nod to the snow day :-)

Now I wait for the taste test. Hope it's a hit!