When I asked my brother what I could make for his birthday cake, he said “anything chocolate”.  Thanks to Pinterest, I came across this recipe – and happened to have leftover buttermilk at home from my Easter scones.  The recipe was for a huge layer cake, so I cut it in thirds and substituted applesauce for the majority of the oil. 

Before we talk about the cupcakes, it’s time for the weekly WIAW party! 

Breakfast, part 1, 6:15 am: Half of a cherry almond scone

Breakfast, part 2, 8:30 am: Tall dark roast with sugar free vanilla & soy, and Passionfruit Chobani <3

Lunch, 12:14 pm: Leftovers from my fajitas, turned in to a salad – nice and filling!

 

Snacks: Popcorners with spinach dip, and HALF PRICE EASTER CANDY!

Whopper Eggs are only available once a year, and at less than $2 a bag, I had to stock up.  I don’t know how the cookies & cream Hershey’s eggs got there, but I’m glad they did! ;) Oh, and toothpaste for good measure.

Dinner, 7:30 pm: Photos can tell the story here (just a hint – I didn’t eat any of the filet ;) ) Tablescape courtesy of mom & Adam, dinner courtesy of Dad.

There was birthday cake, leftover Easter carrot cake, and my cupcakes.

Birthday Worthy Chocolate Buttermilk Cupcakes With Ganache

by Claire @ Live and Love to Eat

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 18 – 20 minutes

Keywords: dessert chocolate

 

Ingredients (11 cupcakes)

  • 1 cup AP flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • pinch salt
  • 1/3 cup dark cocoa powder
  • 1/3 cup applesauce
  • 2 Tbsp canola oil
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup brewed coffee
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 8 oz semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

For the Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners.

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder with a whisk until well combined.

3. Add applesauce, oil, buttermilk, and egg. Mix until the batter is smooth. Add hot coffee in a thin stream, pouring down the side of the bowl. Stir in vanilla.

4. Using a 1/3 cup scoop, divide batter in to cupcake liners, filling 3/4 of the way full (the batter doesn’t puff up too much). I only got 11 cupcakes, but this may very depending on the size of your muffin tin.

5. Bake 18-22 minutes, until tops are no longer wet and spring back lightly when touched (they will have a shiny appearance).

6. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then move to wire rack to cool completely before topping with ganache.

For the Ganache

1. You can use a double boiler, but I simply microwaved the cream and chocolate chips for 35 seconds, let sit for 30 seconds, and then stirred until smooth.

2. Let ganache cool for 10 minutes.

3. Spread 2 tsp of ganache on each cupcake in an even layer. Refrigerate for 10 minutes, then add a second layer if desired.

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You have to be a fan of rich, dark chocolate to appreciate these.  If you want a sweeter frosting, skip the ganache all together or use milk chocolate.  There is a lot of sugar in the recipe, but the cake is hardly sweet at all thanks to do the dark cocoa powder.  If you want to really go over the top, you could add some chocolate chips to the batter before baking.
 
I had extra ganache after frosting them twice, so I made a few other treats. 
 
 
JR got some amazing gifts, including a travel voucher from our uncle and ton of CMU apparrel.  We couldn’t miss out either, but Bella seems mad that they didn’t make a dog t-shirt.
 
 
I don’t know why we look totally smushed in the photo, but you get the idea. :)
 
One more look at the chocolatey goodnesss…
 
 
I’d say the birthday was a success.
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24 Comments on this article. Feel free to join this conversation.

  1. char eats GREENS April 11, 2012 at 8:23 am - Reply

    Cupcakes look SO good. I saw some reduced Easter stuff yesterday and totally refrained. At one point, I did have some in my hands though haha
    char eats GREENS recently posted..do you remember…My Profile

    • Claire April 11, 2012 at 10:27 am - Reply

      You’re stronger than I am!

  2. LizAshlee April 11, 2012 at 9:07 am - Reply

    Wow, those cupcakes look SO tasty!!!

    • Claire April 11, 2012 at 10:28 am - Reply

      Thanks, Liz – not healthy though! :)

  3. Melissa April 11, 2012 at 10:04 am - Reply

    Wow–those look spectacular!!! Now I want one for breakfast! Your family is too cute. :)
    Melissa recently posted..Sorry I’m So Terribly BoringMy Profile

    • Claire April 11, 2012 at 10:28 am - Reply

      Thanks Melissa!

  4. Alexandra April 11, 2012 at 10:54 am - Reply

    What fabulous eats! Now you got me craving cupcakes like mad hahaha :D
    Happy WIAW!
    Alexandra recently posted..Flushtastic WIAWMy Profile

  5. Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian April 11, 2012 at 11:44 am - Reply

    Those cupcakes look fabulous! What did we do before pinterst!?! ;)
    I love that you made chocolate covered pretzels with the rest. That is one of my favorite treats.
    Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian recently posted..Loaded Taco SaladMy Profile

    • Claire April 11, 2012 at 1:32 pm - Reply

      And sprinkles make everything better ;)

  6. Tessa @ Amazing Asset April 11, 2012 at 11:45 am - Reply

    The cupcakes really do look rather perfect Claire, nice job! Your family is just so cute and lovely too!

  7. Steph @ StephSnacks April 11, 2012 at 12:06 pm - Reply

    You’re cupcakes came out delicious looking! Yum!

  8. Annette@FitnessPerks April 11, 2012 at 12:16 pm - Reply

    Holy moly those look tasty!!! Nice work :)

  9. Caitlin April 11, 2012 at 2:19 pm - Reply

    I’d go to town on those choc covered pretzels, oh yum! And what a feast you had – I have to say the meat looks good, but so do the veggies! Aren’t you a good sister :D
    Caitlin recently posted..Lisa’s Five Bean SaladMy Profile

  10. Sara @my less serious life April 11, 2012 at 2:57 pm - Reply

    holy cow those cupcakes are amazing.

  11. Jocelyn @ Peace Love Nutrition April 11, 2012 at 3:56 pm - Reply

    Cupcakes never get old! They are good for every age. There’s a little cup cake stand right by my apt in NYC and it’s torture to pass it everyday! haha

  12. Matt @ The Athlete's Plate April 11, 2012 at 7:15 pm - Reply

    I love that lunch was at 12:14 ;)

  13. Allie April 11, 2012 at 8:42 pm - Reply

    What a success! The cupcakes look delicious :)

  14. Jessica April 11, 2012 at 11:41 pm - Reply

    The cupcakes look fabulous…I’m totally saving this recipe!
    Jessica recently posted..Like Father, Like DaughterMy Profile

  15. Sara @ Nourish and Flourish April 12, 2012 at 2:29 am - Reply

    Chocolate ganache-covered anything makes me swoon! I’m actually not a fan of regular frosting, so I’m loving this recipe!

    Cute family photo! Glad you were able to celebrate your brother’s birthday together; he’s lucky to have a sister who bakes him delicious treats on his big day! xoxo

    • Claire April 12, 2012 at 7:41 am - Reply

      Thanks Sara!

  16. Hotly Spiced April 12, 2012 at 6:09 am - Reply

    What a lovely gift for the birthday boy. I love your cupcakes with the ganache. They look amazing. Love the glossiness. xx
    Hotly Spiced recently posted..All-Bran Fibre ToppersMy Profile

    • Claire April 12, 2012 at 7:42 am - Reply

      It was the first time I’ve made ganache, but it was really simple!

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