When I say that I am a food blogger, people often ask if I go all out for holidays. They are always confused when I say no. See the thing is, I usually begin planning holiday posts at least a month in advance. When the actual holiday rolls around, I'm usually pretty over it. Then, when days like Valentine's day hit, I get a sense of mom guilt and stay up until 3 am cursing myself for deciding to make ridiculously labor intensive homemade Valentines 8 hours before the kids have school. This happens every. single. year.
This year I vow to not allow this happen. I have already figured out what I am going to make via pinterest, and purchased the candy....twice. Bags of Twix Bars should be illegal in my house. I have marked my calendar so that I actually make the Valentines in advance, but not too far in advance as they will probably stand no chance against my sneaky kids.
As for actual treats for my family that say "I love you", well they got to enjoy them after I photographed them. Which is why I am posting this. I can refer back to this post and show them that they actually already got their treats!
My kids were pretty excited about these cupcakes. They always ask me to buy those boxed creme filled cupcakes at the store, and of course, I always say no. Honestly, I never really liked them as a kid, which is why I waited until now to make them. The homemade version however is absolutely delicious. A rich chocolate cupcake, filled with vanilla bean creme, and topped with a smooth chocolate ganache will rock your world, or your tastebuds.
So, if you are looking to say "I love you" to someone special by way of their stomach, this recipe is it. Add some cute little heart sprinkles and you are ready to celebrate!
- Cupcakes
- 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened Special Dark cocoa powder (or regular cocoa powder)
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup butter , melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup strong coffee
- Filling-1 stick butter
- ½ cup vegetable shortening (Crisco)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 and ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- Ganache-
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 muffin pans with cupcake liners.
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In the bowl of your mixer, combine all dry ingredients.
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Add eggs, buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla and mix on low until combined.
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With a wooden spoon, stir in coffee. Batter will be runny.
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Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a knife is inserted and comes out clean.
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Cool completely.
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To make the filling beat shortening and powdered sugar.
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Gradually add in milk and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy.
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Fill a pastry bag with a small tip. Push tip through bottom of paper liner to fill each cupcake.
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To make the ganache, heat the cream and corn syrup over medium heat.
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Place the chocolate in a medium sized bowl.
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Pour the cream mixture over the top of the chocolate chips.
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Whisk together until melted, smooth and glossy. Allow to cool slightly.
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When cupcakes are filled, spoon ganache so that it completely coats each cupcake or dip to coat.
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Allow cupcakes to set before serving.
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Decorate with hear sprinkles or melted white chocolate swirls.
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Make 18-20 cupcakes
katieparkitny
WOW these look AMAZING!!!! I seriously want to make these right now! I will definitely be trying this recipe for Valentines day to share with my boyfriend - I know he will love these!
mumof5withagamblingaddiction
They look so yummy I can't wait to give them a try.
Tine
They look fantastic! Which coffee would you recommend to use in this recipe?
Lee Anne Benjamin (@leeannebenjamin)
I am in NEED of these right now, so yummy!
XO
Lee Anne
http://www.lifebylee.com
Jessica Sheppard
Creme filled chocolate cupcakes look so delish! I've always wondered how to do the filling. Gonna try this recipe. Yummy for V Day!
Karly
These are like Hostess cupcakes times 10 on the deliciousness scale. My kids are going to looooove these!
Maggie Unzueta
I'm in chocolate heaven! Yum.... Pinning 🙂
Amber Hill
OH. MY. GOSH. Did we just become best friends??
Miss Angie (@MySoCalledChaos)
These look spectacular! I want to eat them so bad!
Gennifer Rose
I have been craving chocolate all morning, I wish I could have one of these right now!
Gennifer Rose | http://www.GenniferRose.com
sparklinglala
Wowsers! Those looks amazing! Definitely have to add them to my cupcake baking list. ❤❤❤❤
Rachel Gault (@rachelgault)
I'll take 5! Yum! These look AMAZING!
Ali
So yummy looking! I love Hostess cupcakes, but am afraid to eat them these days since I know what is actually in them. I love the idea of making my own!
Holly
These look really great! I love cupcakes.
ruthieridley
These are my weakness! I need one now!!
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen
These are adorable! My son would eat the entire batch in a single day.
certifiedpastryaficionado
Aw these are the cutest cupcakes! So perfect for Valentine's Day! And they look so professional. I gotta try these out!
Bridget (Nutty Hiker)
These look so delicious. I may need to make some for my "cheat day"!
MalloryMitchell (@AvecMallory)
These look amazing!! I have been on the hunt for a good Valentines Day dessert, and I think this will be it 🙂
Rachel @ Kitchen Cents
These look so delicious. My girls would LOVE them!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland
Ahh I can totally relate to now being "over" the holidays by the time they roll around! I used to go all out, until I started writing & photographing food full-time 🙂 These cupcakes look AMAZING! So pretty and I bet they taste fantastic, too!
Kayla Rivoli (@kaylavblogs)
These are so cute and festive! I love making treats for fun holidays!
Kayla | kaylablogs.com