Chilli Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

For the muffins

  • 125 gr Lurpak® butter
  • 50 gr dark chocolate
  • 125 gr sugar
  • 2 medium eggs
  • 160 gr plain flour
  • ½ sachet of baking powder (8 grams)
  • 1 level tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
  • ½ heaped tsp. chilli powder
  • 1 pinch of salt

For the frosting

  • 250 gr Arla® fresh cream cheese (natural or light)
  • 200 gr mascarpone
  • 100 gr icing sugar
  • 150 gr dark chocolate (50-55%)
  • 2-3 tbsps. milk
  • Small red peppers for decoration (optional)

 

Directions

Melt butter and chopped chocolate in a bain-marie or microwave. Leave aside.

Meanwhile, in a mixer, beat the sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Add the melted chocolate and butter to mixture, stirring gently from top of the bowl to the bottom.

In a bowl, sift flour, cocoa and baking powder, and then add the chilli powder.

Put the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir gently with a spatula until combined.

Using a pastry bag or a spoon, divide batter into a muffin tin, filling about three-quarters full. Bake in a static oven at 175°-180°c for about 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Once the cupcakes have cooled, use an apple corer to make a hole in the centre of each cupcake to fill with frosting, thereby creating a soft and creamy centre.

Using a stand- or hand mixer, beat the Arla® cream cheese, mascarpone and icing sugar. With the mixer still on, add the melted chocolate (which should still be warm) and continue to beat until combined. Finally, add 2-3 tablespoons of milk for a creamy consistency.

Put the chocolate frosting into a pastry bag with a closed star-tipped nozzle, fill the centre of each cupcake and finish off with the classic cupcake swirl. Decorate with a small red pepper.

You can store the cupcakes for 2 days in the refrigerator. It is recommended to take them out of the fridge 10 minutes before serving, so that the frosting slightly softens.