Mocha Latte Cupcakes

Do you dread the three o’clock lull? That time between lunch and dinner when your energy level takes a serious dive towards the South Pole. Your eyelids get heavy. Your head starts to droop. If only you could shut your eyes for a few minutes...but alas, there’s still a mountain of work to conquer. Sigh.

If you’re feeling like you need a little boost, give this recipe for Mocha Latte Cupcakes a try. These rich and moist little cakes are infused with real espresso. I’ve topped them with silky, smooth Chocolate Espresso Ganache to enhance the java flavour of the cupcakes. They’re the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

Extra tidbits: Leave one or two cupcakes sans ganache. I know it sounds crazy—but stay with me! Bathe the cupcakes in any leftover cream. Ideal for those ‘hold the icing’ days. And it’s a handy way to get through a carton of cream. Also, any leftover ganache can be used as the perfect topping to drizzle over ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Wishing you sweet satisfaction,

Anita Kushwaha

Mocha Latte Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup espresso, room temperature

1 Tbsp espresso (for ganache)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line cupcake tin. Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

3. In large bowl, combine oil and sugar. Mix until incorporated. Beat in one egg at a time. Add vanilla. Add milk and espresso.

4. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, careful not to over mix.

5. Divide batter into cupcake tin, filling each about ¾ of the way.  Bake for 20-22 minutes. Let cool completely before decorating.

Chocolate Espresso Ganache

Ingredients:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 Tbsp brewed espresso

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

2. Place large glass bowl on top. Make sure that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the boiling water.

3. Add chocolate chips to the glass bowl. Next, add the heavy cream. Using a spatula, stir until the chocolate chips melt completely and the cream is incorporated. This may take a few minutes.

4. Once the ganache is smooth and glossy, remove from heat.

5. The dip and twist method works best here. Dip cupcake tops into the ganache. Twist to prevent any drips. Enjoy as is, or top with your favorite decorations.

About Anita

Anita was born on Spring Equinox, on the cusp of Aries and Pisces. According to the Chinese Zodiac she’s also a monkey.

She loves the creative process in its various manifestations and enjoys spending time writing and teaching yoga.. Baking gets her out of my head, a remedy for writer’s block. Anita is also a loving wife, devoted auntie and proud cat mom. Her cat’s name is Noodles. He looks a bit like Garfield.

Other things Anita loves besides writing and baking are trees, whales and elephants. Her favorite color is green. She have no desire to travel to space, but a trip around the world ranks high on her bucket list. Writing is Anita’s chosen method of self-expression and has been from a young age. Last but not least she bleeds red,white and Canuck

About For the Love of Cupcakes

PURCHASE NOW!

Priya Patel has wanted to become a baker since the first time she saw the light of her Easy Bake Oven. However, working as an assistant baker at Sugarplum Fairy Cakes isn’t the glamorous life she dreamed about. Priya tries to impress her boss, Helen Bouffant, with creative twists on traditional recipes but her culinary skills are completely ignored as she is forced to scrub toilets and clean up everyone else’s mess. After Priya is blamed for a major screw up at Sugarplum Fairy Cakes, she decides to throw in her apron. With the support of her husband, Arj, and a kick in the pants from her best friend, Mae, she decides to start her own cupcakery.

Just when Priya thinks she’s washed her hands of Helen once and for all, they both enter a charity bake off with a grand prize of $10,000. Priya will have to cook the most creative, delicious cupcakes of her life and defend herself against Helen, who will stop at nothing to see Priya and her cupcakery fail. The competition gets heated but there is one thing that will keep Priya going- the love of cupcakes. Does she have what it takes to win the bake-off? Whose talent will prevail?

For the Love of Cupcakes will leave your mouth watering for cupcakes and your cheeks sore from smiling.

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