Alexis and Nick are having a baby, you guys! Baby R is due to arrive on the scene in the middle of March, and a few weeks ago, Alexis’ mom hosted a little party for the mama-to-be. Obviously I volunteered to bring treats, and I sent Alexis this site for ideas. She said these Faux-stess cupcakes looked good, as well as the Guinness chocolate cupcakes – hmmm, mama missin’ alcohol much?

I picked these Hostess Cupcake knock-offs because they’re so cute, and as you know, I’m obsessed with filled cupcakes. These were quick and easy to make, and learning my lesson from Leianne’s birthday treats, I popped these cupcakes into the fridge to make them easier to hollow out. I set aside a little of the filling and spooned it into a piping bag to make the cute swirls on the top.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Filling and Chocolate Ganache

Source: Ming Makes Cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes

1 cup flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter (room temperature)

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

Filling

1/2 cup butter (room temperature)

2 1/2 cups icing sugar

1/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

Ganache

3/4 cup chocolate chips

1/4 cup whipping cream

Directions

  1. For cupcakes, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla.
  3. Add half the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, and mix to combine, followed by the milk, then the rest of the flour mixture.
  4. Spoon batter into lined cupcake tins. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely, and chill if you have time, before hollowing out.
  5. For filling, mix all ingredients until smooth and well blended.
  6. For ganache, place chocolate chips and whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl, and melt in 30 seconds intervals until smooth.
  7. For assembly, use a sharp knife to hollow out the middle of the cupcakes, and save the top part because you need to stick it back on top. Spoon in filling, and place the top back on (you need to trim the bottom a bit). Spread top of cupcake with ganache, and make swirlies on top if you’re feeling fancy!