Chocolate Stout Cupcakes

Easy Food Recipes and Cooking - Chocolate Stout Cupcakes

Makes 12 cupcakes

CUPCAKES
1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted
11/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup dark stout
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sour cream

TOPPING
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon dark stout fresh raspberries or crushed pretzels


MAKE THE GANACHE TOPPING: Combine the cream and chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a  pot over very low heat. Stir until the chocolate is just melted; remove from heat, stir in stout until the mixture  is smooth, and let cool. Refrigerate 2 hours or until cool.

MAKE THE CUPCAKES: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. In  a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the stout, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat in the eggs and sour cream until smooth. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just combined.

• Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 3/4 full (make a second batch with any  excess). Bake 18 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of one cupcake comes out clean.

• Let the cupcakes cool completely, then frost liberally with the ganache and top with fresh raspberries or crushed pretzels.