Here's, possibly, the definitive chocolate cup cake recipe called:
Granny Twitchell's Secret (no longer <g>) Chocolate Cupcake
(from Death by Chocolate cookbook, copyrite and all that)
Her method is rather long, but don't be put off; it makes novices and
old hands a champion at the first bite and accolades will follow as
surely night follows day.
10 oz (284g) plain chocolate, broken
8 fl. oz (240ml) double cream
2 oz (56g) unsweetened chocolate, broken
5 eggs
4oz (113g) caster (superfine) sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
4 oz (113g) pl flour
1/2 tsp bicarb soda
1 lb (450g) choc. chips
Preheat oven to 325d.F (170d.C)
Heat 1 inch water in bottom half of dble boiler. Place both chocolates
and cream in top half of boiler. Cover with clingwrap and allow to
heat for 8 min. Remove from heat and stir until smooth. Leave aside
until needed.
Place eggs, sugar and vanilla in bowl of elec. mixer and using a
paddle, not whisk, beat on medium until lemon-colored and slightly
thickened, about 4 min.
Add melted choc. mixture and beat on medium for 15-20 sec. more.
Add flour, bicarb soda, and choc. chips and beat on low for 10 sec.
Increase to medium and beat for additional 10 sec. Remove bowl from
mixer. Use a rubber spatula and thoroughly combine batter.
[That's the mixture done.]
Evenly divide the mixture into 18 bake cups (use pretty gold paper
ones) that have been positioned in the muffin tins, filling until 1/4
in below the rim. Bake in pre-heated oven until a toothpick inserted
in the centre comes out clean, about 25-30 min.
[That's the cupcakes cooked].
Icing (frosting): heat 4 oz (120ml) cream (double) until just boiling
in microwave on mid power or in saucepan on med. heat. Place 6 oz
(170g) plain chocolate in a s/s bowl and pour over boiling cream and
allow to stand for 5 min. Stir with a whisk until smooth.
One at a time, dip the top of each of Granny's cup-cakes into the
icing. Top with grated white chocolate if desired and refrigerate for
30 min until set. Allow to come to room temperature before serving.
Marcel Desaulnier's tip: No one under 25 should be offered these
incredible cup cakes. These are serious adult food (except for perhaps
family).
Gosh; I feel like making these right away, but don't have the
couverture chocolate on hand. That's my tip, use best quality choc.
Just as well Sharon is away otherwise she'd be right onto these <vbg>.
Bronnie