Black Forest Cupcakes with Whipped Cream Frosting

 Every Sunday my family gets together at my moms house for Sunday Dinner. My Step Dad does most of the cooking. The rest of us usually do the desserts, especially if it is someone's birthday. This week I just wanted to make a chocolate flavored cupcake so I volunteered to make dessert. I enjoy Black Forest Cake so I thought I would attempt to make a Black Forest Cupcake. First I used a good Chocolate Cupcake Recipe and changed the ingredients just a little. (Recipe below) Baked according to directions. Let cool and hollowed out the center of the cupcakes with a paring knife. Make sure to not go through the bottom of the cupcake.

Next fill the cupcakes with cherry pie filling. I was a little lazy and used store bought cherry filling. You could make your own if you want.

Make the frosting. Frost the cupcakes. 

Sprinkle the cupcakes with mini chocolate chips. 

Enjoy the cupcakes! 

Black Forest Cupcake

Makes approximately 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon of Cocoa Powder

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon of hot water

2 1/4 cups flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 2/3 cups granulated sugar

3 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

3/4 cup sour cream

Cherry Flavoring (I used 3 tablespoons of DaVinci gourmet cherry syrup)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with liners. 

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and hot water util smooth. in a separate medium bowl, sift together the four, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

3.Combine the butter and sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is smooth and the butter is completely melted. Transfer mixture to a bowl. Mix with an electric mixer and beat on medium low speed until the mixture is cool, about 4 to 5 minutes.

4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla, and then the cocoa mixture, beating until smooth. 

5. Reduce the mixer speed to low, and add the four mixture in three additions, alternating wit the sour cream, beginning and ending with the four mixture. Mix each addition util just incorporated. 

6. Add Cherry Flavoring one tablespoon at a time until you get the flavor you want. (Some flavorings are stronger than others so be careful. You don't want it to taste like cough syrup!)

7. Divide the batter between the prepared liners, filling about 2/3 full. Bake approximately 18 to 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. To insure even baking rotate the pans half way through cooking times. 

8. Let cupcakes cool in pan then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Whipped Cream Frosting

Ingredients: 

1 8oz package of cream cheese softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

2 cups heavy whipping cream

Directions: 

Combine the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Fit the mixer with the whisk attachment and mix on medium speed until smooth. While the mixture is still whipping, slowly pour in the heavy whipping cream. stop and scrape the bottom of the bowl a couple of times while you continue whipping until the cream can hold stiff peaks. Save any left overs in an air tight container in the refrigerator.