Friday, February 10, 2012

Chocolate Cheesecake Marbled Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes for the Superbowl and they were a hit! I used my favorite chocolate cupcake recipe from my Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes since they were SO moist. I swore I would never use another chocolate cupcake recipe, and I meant it! These cupcakes were supposed to have a cheesecake center, but mine turned out to be more marbled. The cheesecake flavor didn't shine through except for the chocolate chips. Oh well! 
Taste: The cupcakes were super chocolate-y and delicious. Didn't taste like cheesecake at all though :(
Texture: SO ridiculously moist 

Would I make these again?: Probably not, unless I put the cheesecake in the middle instead of marble it.

Chocolate Cheesecake Marbled Cupcakes
YIELD: 24 Cupcakes

Cupcakes
Found: My Baking Addiction
1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon instant espresso granules dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water
24 Reese’s Miniatures; frozen (this prevents them from disappearing into the batter)

Cheesecake Filling
Found: Bakergirl (Frosting too)
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 large egg
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 ounces chocolate chips

Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2-4 tablespoons milk
1-3 tablespoons cocoa powder, depending on color/flavor of chocolate frosting desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tin with paper liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, eggs, vanilla and espresso water mixture. Beat for about two minutes on medium speed until well combined.

To prepare the cheesecake mixture, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add egg, vanilla, and salt and whisk until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Fill each cupcake liner about 1/3 of the way full with cupcake batter. Add about a tablespoon-size scoop of cheesecake mixture, then spoon more cupcake batter over the top until cheesecake is covered and the liner is filled about 3/4 of the way full.

Bake for 17-19 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To prepare the buttercream frosting, beat butter and shortening in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and salt. Beat in confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, scraping down sides of the bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of milk; beat at high speed until light and fluffy. Add additional milk for desired consistency. Add 1-3 tablespoons cocoa powder depending on the taste/color you want your frosting.
Oh, and then my cupcake carrier decided to die on me. :(

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Valentines Day Collage

Enjoy! [click, save as, set as desktop background, center]