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Thursday, February 13, 2014

Love at First Bite-Chocolate Truffle Maraschino Cherry Cupcakes

OK, I am really going to date myself...
Do you remember the 1979 comedy/horror movie called, "Love at First Bite" starring George Hamilton?
Evicted from his Translvania castle, George Hamilton as Count Dracula, decides to relocate to New York City.  Of course funny things happen when Count Dracula discovers that there are blood banks and of course he falls in love with a model who he believes is his long, lost true love.  Definetely a quality movie.  Well, I'm not sure about that but something funny if you want a blast from the past!

BUT, on to the important stuff!
CUPCAKES 
that you will love on the first bite!!!

Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes

A delicious homemade chocolate truffle cupcake with a surprise Hershey kiss in the center.  The frosting is marachino cherry flavored, topped with a marachino cherry covered in a ganache.  UNBELIEVABLE!  Not only are these pretty, but they are great for Valentine's Day too!  The frosting is to die for!!!  Let's just say, I licked the bowl clean!


A friend of mine shared how to make these decadent cupcakes...they are a great base cupcake anytime you want a chocolate flavored cupcake.

2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cup flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup hot coffee
24 Hershey kisses, unwrapped

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Place cupcake liners in a muffin tin.
In a mixing bowl, add sugar, vanilla and eggs.  Mix until combined.  Slowly add the milk and oil.  Continue mixing until well blended.
In another bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.  Blend together on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
Slowly add the coffee and mix for an additional 2 minutes.
Spoon batter into cupcake liners, about 3/4 full.
Bake for about 14 minutes.
Remove from oven and push in a Hershey kiss.

Now for the maraschino cherry frosting originally from Southern Living's Big Book of Cupcakes.

1/2 cup butter
3 Tbsp maraschino cherry juice
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/8 tsp salt
1 16 oz package of powdered sugar

Blend together the first 5 ingredients until well combined.  Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating on low until combined.  Then beat on high for 2 minutes until creamy.

Frost the cupcakes!

For the embellishment on the top, the ganache covered maraschino cherry!

To prepare the ganache you will need:
1 cup whipping cream
8 oz semi sweet chocolate

In a saucepan over medium heat, cook the cream just until it begins to steam.  DO NOT boil!  Remove from heat and add the chocolate.  Beat with a whisk until well incorporated.  The mixture will thicken as it cools.  When it is thicker, dip in cherries to place on your frosted cupcake.


You couldn't get cupcakes this good from a cupcake store!
Nope, with these cupcakes you will become the cupcake master and everyone will love chocolate truffle maraschino cherry cupcakes.  It'll be love at first bite!

Take time to celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

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