fudge brownie cupcakes with mocha ganache

I originally had plans to post a healthy recipe this week. But seriously, something containing dates and nuts can step aside. I knew the first time I bit into these cuppy cakes, sharing these with you was urgent, because once you stuff your face with these, you'll be thanking God for all things in life that are chocolate covered. Amen. 

I don't make cupcakes often because a) I feel like they involve too much time for just a subpar sweet. and b) I've never found a cupcake recipe that has wowed me. I'm usually just let down with a cake that's too dry, crumbly, and blah. 

I was watching Barefoot Contessa a couple weeks ago- well I actually watch it more like everyday- but this particular episode had me, I kid you not, dreaming chocolate filled dreams night after night. Ina made plain chocolate cupcakes with a chocolate ganache. They looked so simple, yet elegant and THAT is my kinda cake. She added instant coffee granules to the cake as well as the ganache to really bring out the chocolate flavor. 

I decided I didn't want any old chocolate cupcakes. I wanted something thick and fudgey, that you could really sink your teeth into. I turned to Sally's recipe for fudge brownie cupcakes and HOLY GOSH. Let me tell you, they did not disappoint. I'm really picky when it comes to cupcakes, and Sally's recipe totally changed my mind about dry crumbly cakes. {Thanks, Sally!}

Ok, so let's talk about the ganache. At first, it seemed way too liquidy. I followed all the directions, and proceeded to cover the cupcakes and refrigerate them. After awhile it firmed up and all was well in the world. I left out the coffee granules in the cake, but didn't hesitate to add it to the ganache. I found the ganache to actually have a pretty strong coffee flavor, hence the "mocha ganache". If you're not a huge fan, feel free to halve the amount of instant coffee for a more subtle flavor. 

These were some of my favorite cupcakes I have EVER eaten! Thank goodness they made only 8 cupcakes, because if there had been more, I'm pretty sure I would have gained 5 pounds over 2 days. Yay for friends and family who are as crazy about chocolate as I am!

 fudge brownie cupcakes with mocha ganache 
cupcakes adapted from Sally's Baking Addiction 

cupcakes

makes 9-12 cupcakes

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2  cup dark brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin tin with paper cups.

Melt butter in the microwave in a large microwave safe bowl. Mix in the sugar until smooth and microwave for about 1 minute. Stir the mixture until smooth again. Whisk in the vanilla and eggs. In a separate bowl, mix together the salt, baking powder, cocoa powder, and flour. Slowly add to the wet ingredients and stir until completely combined.

Fill the muffin tins about 2/3 full. Bake in the prepared muffin tin for about 8-10 minutes (mine took a little under 9 minutes). Allow to cool completely before topping with mocha ganache.

mocha Ganache

1 c. milk chocolate chips {you could use semi-sweet or dark as well}
1/2 c. full cream
1 tsp. instant coffee granules

Combine in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds stirring every 10 seconds until smooth.