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Chocolate Blackout Cupcakes on a yellow napkin, cut in half to show the ganache filling.
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Chocolate Blackout Cupcakes

Chocolate Blackout Cupcakes feature a dark chocolate cupcake filled with chocolate ganache and topped with a rich dark chocolate buttercream. For serious chocolate lovers only!! 
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Inactive Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 12 cupcakes
Author Tessa Arias

Ingredients

For the ganache filling:

  • 2 ounces (57 grams) semisweet chocolate
  • 1/4 cup (59 grams) heavy cream

For the cupcakes:

  • 4 ounces (113 grams) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup (28 grams) dark Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup (119 grams) boiling water
  • 3/4 cup (95 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) sour cream or plain yogurt, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (56 grams) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs plus one egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting:

  • 8 ounces (227 grams) bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
  • 3 cups (375 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/4 cup (21 grams) dark cocoa powder, sifted
  • 8 ounces (227 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

Make the filling:

  • Place the chocolate and cream in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave until mixture is warmed, about 30 seconds. Whisk until smooth. Place mixture in refrigerator until just chilled and firmed, no longer than 30 minutes.

Make the cupcakes:

  • Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In a medium heatproof bowl, add the chocolate and cocoa. Pour hot water over mixture. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk mixture gently until smooth then set aside to cool.
  • Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with high-quality cupcake liners.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
  • Whisk sour cream, oil, eggs, egg yolk, vinegar, and vanilla into the cooled chocolate mixture until smooth. Stir in the flour mixture until smooth, being careful not to overmix.
  • Using a spring-loaded scoop, divide the batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Bake until cupcakes are set and firm to the touch, about 17 to 20 minutes. Let cupcakes cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan to cool completely, about 1 hour. Cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.

Fill the cupcakes:

  • Using an apple corer or pairing knife, slice a small section of the center of the cupcake, being careful not to slice through the bottom. Fill each hole with 1 heaping teaspoon of the firmed ganache.

Make the buttercream:

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the sugar, cocoa powder, and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase the speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl, as well as the mixer attachment. Add the salt, vanilla, cream, and cooled melted chocolate and beat on medium for 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
  • Spread or pipe evenly over the filled cupcakes. Serve or store covered at room temperature for up to 1 day, or covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.