Valentines Day II Chocolate Strawberry

This is a cupcake from our February Baking Battle. In light of the day of love, Remi and I had aphrodisiac flavor combos. This recipe didnt win, but still tasted delectable. A moist chocolate cake filled with a strawberry filling and frosted with my sinful chocolate frosting, this cupcake is a seductions itself. Enjoy =]




Chocolate Cupcake- makes 24


Ingredients

1 ½ cups packed brown sugar

3/8 cup canola oil

2 eggs

1 1/3 cups flour

1 1/8 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/8 teaspoons baking soda

¾ teaspoons salt

½ tablespoon vanilla extracts

¾ cup milk

¾ cup water

¾ cups cocoa powder

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 cupcake tins

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the brown sugar and oil. Turn on the mixer to a low speed and mix in the eggs. Let the sugar, oil, and eggs mix while sifting together the flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Set this mixture aside.

In another small bowl, mix the vanilla into the milk and set this aside as well. Bring the water to a milk and pour over the cocoa and whisk it until it is smooth. To the egg mixture, alternately add the flour mixture and the milk mixture beginning and ending with flour. With the mixer off, scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition. With the mixture at a low speed add the cocoa. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and pour this mixture into the tins. Bake the cupcakes for approximately 15 minutes or until tester comes out clean.

Strawberry Filling- makes about 3 cups

Ingredients

1 pkg (16 ounces) frozen sliced strawberries , packed in sugar and thawed
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

Drain strawberries; reserving liquid. Add enough water to liquid to equal 1 1/4 cups. In large saucepan, combine strawberry liquid, sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice; mix well. Heat and stir until mixture boils and thickens. Cool completely. Stir strawberries into the cooled mixture. Refrigerate until ready to use.  

***Chocolate Frostings- you can find this recipe in the Valentines Day I cupcakes