Belated Birthday Chocolate Cupcakes

Remember that 1st birthday of this little ol' blog of mine?  No?  Well that's because it was back in August and I was on the infirm list and unable to celebrate in style.  I'm hoping that these cupcakes go some way to righting that wrong?

White Chocolate Cupcakes

180g butter, at room temperature
155g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 eggs
225g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
95g white chocolate, chopped
White Chocolate Truffle Frosting
240g white chocolate, coarsely chopped
125ml thickened (double) cream
60g butter

Preheat oven to 160°C. Line twelve 80ml capacity muffin pans with paper cases.

Use an electric beater to beat the butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition until just combined.

Sift in the flour and baking powder over the mixture. Add the choc bits and gently fold to combine. Divide among the lined muffin pans and smooth the surface. Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centres comes out clean. Turn onto a wire rack and set aside to cool completely.

White chocolate, butter and cream~ what dreams are made of!

Meanwhile, to make the frosting, place the chocolate, cream and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and stir with a metal spoon until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Place in the fridge for 1 hour to chill. Use an electric beater to beat the chocolate mixture until pale and creamy.

Spread frosting over the cupcakes and decorate with chocolate roses and leaves (or whatever decoration you have to hand).

Makes 12
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I decorated mine with rose buds made from white, milk and dark modelling chocolate, the leaves are also made from dark chocolate modelling paste.  The cupcakes themselves are OK, nothing to write home about, I think I over baked them just a touch, but that frosting!!!  The frosting is to die for!  I would have liked a smoother finish, next time I'll opt for piping the frosting on I think.  Whoever it was that said cupcakes are the vehicle for the frosting must of had these little guys in mind, and this disappoints me not ;0)