Monday, January 28, 2013

Earl Grey Dark Chocolate Cupcake

Weekend came and go like "gone with the wind" leaving me feeling slightly unsatisfied. So many things to do, so little time.. spring cleaning, rearranging the furniture, prepping for the coming Chinese New Year..gosh! and the list goes on and on. Of course I wouldn't want to bore you with every single minute details. Sometimes I just wish there's that weekend I could just lay back, and do nothing and pray that Monday is a day further away. Feeling blue? Thank god! for my EARL GREY DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE.


Whenever I feel overwhelmed with chores, I turn to 2 of my favourite ingredients. Simple flavours that I is ultra comforting, this is perfect for any chocolate and earl grey tea lover. I would usually enjoy a cup of earl grey tea, maybe along side with some milk or dark chocolate, or when I feel extra luxurious, I would have them with some scones, fresh cream and jam. Delish! This time round, once again, I had both of my favourite flavours packed into a cupcake. Definitely something I think of a lot lately whenever I want a quick pick me up treat.
mMMMMmmm.. crumbly, moist, dark, rich, deeply infused earl grey chocolate cake has never been so good. Licking my fingers as I am drafting this post, my cupcakes are then frosted with ultra smooth lusciously cream Chocolate Butter cream that is infused with star ingredient-Earl Grey too. To heighten the experience and senses, the frosting is then sprinkled with some Malden sea salt for the added crunch and texture. Salt and chocolate = Yummilicious!

These EARL GREY DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES are easy to make and put together. Nothing complicated; leaving you with perfect moist cupcakes every single time.



Earl Grey Dark Chocolate Cupcake
by Chic & Gorgeous Treats                                          


* Makes 12 regular size cupcakes.
* Makes a single 6 or 7-inches round cake.
* Cupcakes stored in airtight container can be stored up to 5 days in a fridge.

INGREDIENTS
           
Earl Grey infused Dark Chocolate Cake
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup Earl Grey tea (2 packets of Earl Grey-makes 1 cup)
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Chocolate  Buttercream
2 Oz semi-sweet chocolate
2 Oz dark chocolate
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
170g unsalted butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4-5 tablespoons Earl Grey tea


DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 177°C. Line cupcake or muffin pan with cupcake liners and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, sift together cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and baking soda. Next add salt and sugar.
3. Using a handheld electric whisk, or with a paddle attachment attached to a stand mixer, beat in egg, earl grey tea, milk, pure vanilla extract and oil. Mix until well combined. Cake mixture will be runny.
4. Fill each cupcake liner about three-quarters full and bake between 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Transfer onto wire rack to allow cupcake to complete cooling before frosting.

5. In a double boiler, with a heatproof bowl over simmering hot water, melt together chocolate, and butter. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is completely melted and take it off the heat.
6. Set chocolate aside to cool. Meanwhile, with a paddle attachment attached to a stand mixer on medium speed, beat butter until light. Add powdered sugar and continue to beat until pale and fluffy. Next add in pure vanilla extract and melted chocolate and beat until well combined. Turn speed down to low, and add Earl Grey tea a tablespoon at a time; continue mixing until well combined. Chocolate Buttercream will be smooth. (NOTE: If Chocolate Buttercream is a little too soft to pipe, transfer into a piping bag, and chill it in the fridge between 20-30 minutes)
7. To assemble; using a Wilton 1M tip, pipe swirls or with a palette knife, spread Chocolate buttercream over cooled cupcakes. (OPTIONAL: Sprinkle some Malden sea salt over Chocolate buttercream before serving). Serve cupcakes with tea, milk, coffee or have them just on their own. ENJOY!



xx




39 comments:

  1. I know exactly how you feel...if there is just one more weekend right after life would be easier but nice and sunny lol!
    Those cupcakes look amazing Jo, very delicious and perfect to fight blues. Wonderful post and mouthwatering pics!

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    1. Thanks Sandra! I really am a huge fan of Earl Grey Tea. They really help to calm my nutty brain down. LOL...

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  2. You bake gorgeous things and take great pics! This are surely a treat anytime you feel a bit down!

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    1. Thanks for the support Paula! I would love to improve further, but seems like I get stuck at times. LOL.. Wishing this year will be sensational and filled with loads of foodie love. ♥

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  3. Girl you want to kill me! I usually don't like frosting on cupcakes, but I can have few of these beauties with their frosting right away.
    OMG! I'm craving chocolate cake right now, there is none in the fridge, what shall I doooooooooooooooo!

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    1. LOL Muna! I wouldn't want to do that. But if you're an Earl Grey and Chocolate lover like myself, then I'd say it's time for you to make some of these wicked good delicious cupcakes. I'm not helping aren't I??? ♥

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  4. Oh my gosh these look and sound fantastic! Thanks for sharing :)

    Sincerely,
    Happy Valley Chow

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    1. Glad you like them and do give them a try! Always a pleasure to share treats here. Cheers!

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  5. And that rose icing too? These look utterly stunning :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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    1. Thanks Uru! I really need to learn to pipe more patterns ;)

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  6. Earl grey and chocolate, eh'? An intriguing combination! Love the salted chocolate frosting too. Yum!

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    1. Hey Brandon! Thanks for coming over.. They are indeed a great combo together. Just like chocolate and salt.. don't quite know the food science behind it, but boy! they really compliment each other well. Seriously a great way to tantalize the senses. ♥

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  7. Sorry you are blue, but these cupcakes are screaming sunny to me. Or at least eat me. I never know where my days go anymore, at this rate it's gonna be Christmas again. If I was down the street, I would already have knocked on your door. Hope the rest of your week goes quickly so it will be the weekend again.
    Hugs,
    -Gina-

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    1. Oh Gina! don't be sorry ;). I'm feeling good, and not so blue now. It's just kick starting the engine after a weekend seems tough. LOL.. Hope you are having a wonderful week too. ♥ Jo

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  8. i've tried those cupcakes, and they are AMAZINNGGG!!!!
    thinking abt them now makes my mouth water..... =)~~~

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    1. Thanks babe! Am so glad you came over and please come over anytime. ♥

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  9. These are so pretty, Jo! I need to learn the rose frosting technique!

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    1. Thanks Stephanie! I probably only know how to frost the rose and got so much more to learn, but so little time :(. Have a great week!

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  10. You make the most delicious-looking (and I'm sure, delicious-tasting) cupcakes!!!! Urrrr....I can't resist! I want to take a bit bite...or two...or three!

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    1. Thanks Jen and I hate to say it, these were seriously good. LOL.. okay maybe I am bias? But chocolate and earl grey? Yummm! Hehehehe.. ♥

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  11. ohhh these are GORGEOUS! I love this from every angle =)

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    1. Thanks ;)! I will see if I could whip something wicked this coming weekend and hopefully present a drool worthy treat. Have a great week! Stay in touch. ♥

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  12. Earl grey and chocolate? Brilliant combo. Your cupcakes look so professional, I'm jealous.

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    1. OH Dara! Don't be at all.. I still have a long way more to pipe like a pro. I have been obsessed with piping roses recently. Not sure why, but I know I need to pipe other patterns soon. Glad you enjoy this combo too. Cheers~

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  13. Earl Grey and Chocolate are THE BEST combo ever! I've gotta try this recipe out very soon!

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    1. Hope you will like it as much my family and friend did Ashley. Try it and let me know. Thanks for coming over too. Am making my way over to your blog too. Cheers!

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  15. Earl Grey and chocolate - sounds like a very interesting combination. I am intrigued ;)

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    1. Hi Regina! They are a great combo together. I found that Earl Grey works well with both milk or dark chocolate. It really depends on the depth of flavour that you like. Thanks for coming over!

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  16. You are so expert in making cupcakes and the beautiful rose frosting! Would you teach me one day? I see earl grey flavor in a lot of desserts in Asia but not over here. I miss earl grey everything! Looks so delicious Joanna!!!

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    1. Hi Nami! Anytime.. I will teach you anytime, as long I get to try out your fabulous Japanese cuisines. Heheheheh.. I will be more than happy to bake you treats too so long you don't hate me, as I may cause your waist line to expand sideways. LOL.. Missing you heaps my friend!! ♥ ♥

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  17. Can be stored for 5 days?? Not in my house, these would be gone in 5 hours! Amazing :)

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    1. Hahaha.. I wouldn't mind a household where my treats goes out in a jiffy!!!

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  18. I need to learn to make my frosting look so nice! These really look incredible. Once I get my new recipe search engine website up and running, this is the kind of recipe I'd love to feature! We're not online yet, but please check out our Kickstarter campaign in the meantime:

    http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2144869982/spoonacular-making-the-web-a-tastier-place/

    P.S. We're developing some cool tools for bloggers that you might be interested in too :)

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  19. Beautiful cupcakes and the frosting looks so yummy :)

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  20. Love the simple and elegant design - pretty!

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  21. omg.......awesum cliks n beautiful decoration on top....love it..

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  22. These Earl Grey Dark Chocolate Cupcakes are gorgeous. Girl, you're already thinking of spring cleaning? That doesn't happen in my house until it's summer! hahaha...I love Earl Grey, and your cupcakes are luscious and divine. Love the way you pipe the roses on the cupcakes. So pretty.

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Hey foodies! THANK YOU for leaving me with sweet comments. I hope to inspire you like how you inspire me. Cheers~