GRAVEYARD CUPCAKES

Sometimes I see something that grabs my heart really hard… Check out this recent post by Karen, and you will understand I simply had to take matters into my own baking hands…. I opted for cupcakes, so I share with you today the recipes for cake and frosting. The use of Milano cookies for the tombstone is just brilliant!

CHOCOLATE GRAVEYARD CUPCAKES
(from The Bewitching Kitchen, inspired by Karen’s Kitchen Stories)

for the cupcakes (makes 10):
100g all-purpose flour
20g cocoa powder
140g granulated sugar
40g butter, softened
1/8 tsp salt
1 large egg
120mL milk, full-fat
1 + 1/2 tsp baking powder

Heat oven to 350F and line a tray with cupcake liners.

Mix the milk with egg in a small bowl, whisk, reserve.

Put the flour, cocoa powder, butter, sugar and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix until the butter forms a sand consistency. Pour half the milk mixture into the bowl and mix on low-speed for a minute. Increase the speed to medium-high for a couple of minutes. Add the remaining milk mixture, and mix on low-speed until fully incorporated.

Increase the speed for a few seconds, then add the batter to the lined cupcakes. Bake for about 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes clean when inserted in the center.

Cool the cupcakes completely before frosting.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
210g confectioners’ sugar
20g Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 Tablespoon heavy cream
pinch of salt

With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, heavy cream and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for a full minute Add 1/4 cup more confectioners’ sugar or cocoa powder if frosting is too thin or adjust with heavy cream if too stiff.

For decoration:
Milano cookies
Piping consistency black Royal icing
crushed Oreo cookies for “dirt”

Frost the cupcakes using a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Immediately cover the surface with Oreo cookie crumbs. Insert a Milano cookie with the RIP message written on it. Add any decorations you desire.

ENJOY!

to print the recipe, click here

Comments: Totally smitten by these little cupcakes! Big thank you for Karen, a very cute concept made very easy with the Milano cookies. Of course, you can always bake some sugar cookies and do the whole thing from scratch, but why not make life a little easier without compromising flavor? Milano cookies are delicious!