Recipe: Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Intensely dark and flavorful cupcakes topped with rich chocolate frosting: a must-have for every Easter celebration.  For extra Easter fun, decorate with LINDOR Eggs!

Ingredients (Cupcakes):

•  1.75 ounces, Lindt EXCELLENCE 70% Cocoa Bar, chopped
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 & 1/3 cups, flour
• 2 teaspoons, baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon, salt
• 6 tablespoons, butter, softened
• 1 cup, sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon, vanilla extract

Ingredients (Frosting):

• 4 ounces, Lindt EXCELLENCE 70% Cocoa Bar, chopped
• 1/2 cup, butter, softened
• 1 & 1/3 cups, powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon, vanilla extract

Instructions (Cupcakes):

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Combine the 1.75 ounces of chocolate and the boiling water in a heat proof bowl.
• Stir until smooth and then cool.
• Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together.
• Combine the butter and sugar, and beat until light and fluffy.
• Add the eggs one at a time and beat until smooth.
• Stir in the vanilla extract.
• Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl to make sure that all of the ingredients are well incorporated.
• Spoon the mixture into greased or lined muffin tins (if using muffin liners, opt for the foil versions).
• Fill each about 2/3 full and bake 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Remove from oven and place on a rack to cool.

Instructions (Frosting):

• Melt the 4 ounces of chocolate.
• Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• Beat the butter until smooth and creamy.
• Add the powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
• Add the vanilla extract.
• Add the chocolate and mix until combined.
• Scrape down sides of the mixing bowl.
• Increase the speed of the mixer and beat until the frosting is smooth.

 Spread the frosting on top of the cupcakes, or using a pastry bag, pipe it on using a large star tip. Garnish with chocolate curls or chopped chocolate, if desired.  Cover and store for optimal freshness.

 Yield

Approximately 15 cupcakes