Tuesday 13 May 2014

Mocha cupcakes !!

Prep time - 25 min
Serves - 24 
Ingredients
1.Eggs- 2 (large)
2.Unsalted butter- 1/2 cup
3.Confectioners sugar- 1 1/2 cup
4.All purpose flour- 2 1/4 cups
5.Strong decoction- 3/4 cup
6.Instant coffee powder- 1 tbsp
7.Cocoa powder- 3 tbsp
8.Sour cream -1/2 cup
9.Baking soda- 1 tbsp
10.Salt- 1/2 tsp
11.Vanilla essence- 1 tsp
12.Chocolate ganache(for frosting)

Procedure
1.Preheat oven at 200 degrees c .
2.In a bowl , blend butter , eggs, and sugar until smooth.
3.In the 3/4 cup of espresso, add in the 1 tbsp of instant coffee powder and cocoa powder and add it to the batter.
4.Divide the flour into two halves and add it to the above mixture , alternating it with the sour cream.
5.Add the vanilla , baking soda and whisk the batter on high speed for two minutes.
6.Line the cupcake moulds with cupcake liners and distribute the batter evenly into the moulds and bake for 22 min.
7.When the cake tester comes out clean when inserted into the cupcake , your cupcakes are ready to be frosted.
8.Top your cupcakes with the ganache and decorate 'em with sprinkles as seen below :



Chocolate ganache

Ganache is a glaze/icing/sauce/filling for pastries made from chocolate and cream. Depending on the kind of chocolate used, for what purpose the ganache is intended, and the temperature at which it will be served, the ratio of chocolate to cream is varied to obtain the desired consistency. Typically, two parts chocolate to one part cream are used for filling cakes.

Ingredients
1.Chocolate of your choice -200 g 
2.Heavy cream- 100 g
3.Corn syrup- 2 tbsp.
4.Unsalted butter - 3 tbsp.

Procedure
1.Cut the chocolate into small pieces and cover the chocolate with the cream.
2.Heat this in a microwave for 3 min on high.
3.Mix the melted chocolate and cream until both the ingredients are equally distributed. 
4.Then add the butter and corn syrup and mix properly. Keep aside and let it cool.
5.Use immediately or freeze it upto a month.


Mixed fruit cake

Prep time - 20 mins 
Serves- 8

Ingredients
1.Eggs- 2(large)
2.All purpose flour- 120 g
3.Sugar-120 g
4.Unsalted butter- 100 g 
5.Vanilla essence- 1 tsp
6.Baking powder-1 tsp
7.Yogurt- 3 tbsp
8.Dried figs- 30 g
9.Dates-20 g
10.Dried grapes-40 g
11.Cashew nuts- 20 g

Procedure
1.Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius.
2.Cut all the dry fruits into smaller pieces , place them in a bowl and heat for 20 seconds in a microwave.
3.Now dust the dry fruits with the flour and keep them aside.
4.In a bowl , whisk butter, sugar and eggs together until creamy.
5.Divide the flour into 3 parts and add it to the above mixture alternating it with the 3 spoons of yogurt.
6.Add the vanilla and baking powder and mix the batter on high speed for 2 min.
7.Grease a rectangular pan with butter and dust it with flour.
8.Top the batter with dusted dry fruits  and bake for 25 min.
9.After 25 min poke your cake with a cake tester , if it comes out clean , your cake is ready to be served!