Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

Nutrition

Ingredients

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350f

2. 2

   Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper liners

3. 3

   In a small bowl , stir the cocoa powder into the hot water until it dissolves

4. 4

   Set aside until needed.

5. 5

   Sift the flour , baking powder , baking soda , and salt together into a bowl

6. 6

   Using the finest rasps of a hand held grater , grate the zest from the orange into the bowl

7. 7

   In a large bowl , whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until well combined

8. 8

   Whisk in the buttermilk and vanilla , then the dissolved cocoa

9. 9

   Whisk in the melted butter , then the dry ingredients

10. 10

    Using a tablespoon , divide the batter among the muffin cups filling each about half full

11. 11

    Bake until the cupcakes are puffed and a skewer inserted into the center of one comes out clean 15-20 minutes

12. 12

    Let cool completely on a wire rack

13. 13

    Remove the cupcakes from the pan

14. 14

    To make the frosting , melt the chocolate in a double-boiler or in the microwave and let cool to room temperature

15. 15

    Meanwhile , using a stand mixer , beat the butter and confectioners' sugar with the paddle on medium speed until creamy and smooth , about 3 minutes

16. 16

    Beat in the melted chocolate until combined

17. 17

    Fill a pastry bag fitted with a 1 / 2-inch star

18. 18

    Refrigerate the cupcakes until 30 minutes before serving to set the frosting