Cupcake 3: Dark & White Fudge

These little, light, and moist cupcakes, with a tempting fudgy chocolate topping, are perfect for serving at any time of day.

Makes 20 cupcakes

scant 1 cup water

6 tbsp butter

generous 3/8 cup superfine sugar

1 tbsp corn syrup
3 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
scant 1 5/8 cups all-purpose flour

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa

Topping

1¾ oz/50 g semisweet chocolate
4 tbsp water
3½ tbsp butter
1¾ oz/50 g white chocolate

3 cups confectioners' sugar

Chocolate curls

3½ oz/100 g semisweet chocolate

3½ oz/100 g white chocolate

* Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Put 20 paper baking cases in 2 muffin pans, or put 20 double-layer paper cases on two baking sheets.

* Put the water, butter, superfine sugar, and syrup in a pan. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook gently for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.

* Meanwhile, put the milk and vanilla extract in a bowl. Add the baking soda and stir to dissolve. Sift the flour and cocoa into a separate bowl and add the syrup mixture. Stir in the milk and beat until smooth. Spoon the batter into the paper cases until they are two-thirds full.

* Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until well risen and firm to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

* To make the topping, break the semisweet chocolate into a small heatproof bowl, add half the water and half the butter, and set the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water until melted. Stir until smooth and let stand over the water. Using another bowl, repeat with the white chocolate and remaining water and butter. Sift half the sugar into each bowl and beat until smooth and thick. Top the cupcakes up with the frostings. Let set. Serve decorated with chocolate curls made by sharing the chocolate with a potato peeler.

 

side one:
01. White Noise Maker - Frank Black
02. Lonely Feelin' - War
03. Montague Terrace (In Blue) - Scott Walker
04. Ghetto Letto - Barry White
05. Broke a Feeling - Sharks
06. Foxey Lady - Jimi Hendrix Experience
07. Fiddle Riddle - Frank Black
08. Let There Be Funk - Patrice Rushen
[ listen ]

side two:
01. Magdalena - Brandon Flowers
02. She's Everything to Me - Barry White
03. The Ballad of the Sad Young Men - Margaret Whiting
04. I Thought of You Today - Randy Brown
05. Speedy Marie - Frank Black
06. Shotgun - Billy Preston
07. Oh Willy - Nektar
08. Rum and Coke - Barry White
09. Segretamente - Quintetto Vesuvio
[ listen ]