These cupcakes were part of my Super Bowl Sunday fare~
You can't taste the beer. It simply adds texture to the cake.
Beer & Pretzel Cupcakes
Preparation: Makes 12 cupcakes | Preparation:
Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Ingredients:
Cupcake (adapted from Alice Medrich)
1 cup (4.5 ounces) all purpose
flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (7.3
ounces) sugar
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1.5
ounces) SCHARFFEN BERGER Unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted
butter, melted and warm
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup Guinness Stout
Ganache Frosting
3/4 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil
14 oz. chocolate, chopped
Pretzel Topping
12 pretzel sticks
2 oz chocolate, melted
2 oz caramel, warmed
Instructions:
Add flour, cocoa powder, sugar,
baking soda, and salt in a bowl and mix thoroughly to combine. Add in the
butter, eggs, and vanilla and beat on medium speed for one minute. Add 1/4 cup
of the beer into the mixture and beat for 20 seconds. Scrape the sides of
the bowl and add remaining beer. Beat for 20-30 seconds until the batter is
smooth. The batter will be thin enough to pour. Divide it evenly among the
lined cups. Bake 18-22 minutes just until a toothpick inserted into a few of
the cupcakes comes out clean. Set the pan on a rack to cool. Frost the cupcakes
when they are completely cool.
TIP: For light tender cupcakes, spoon flour and
cocoa lightly into measuring cups (instead of dipping the cups into the flour
or cocoa) and then sweep the measures level without tapping or shaking them.
To make ganache frosting
Bring heavy cream, butter and vegetable oil to a
light boil. Pour hot heavy cream mixture over chocolate. Using a spatula gently
fold chocolate through heavy cream until well combined. Set aside to cool for
at least an two hours or until frosting consistency is acheived. Frosting will
thicken as sits.
Assembly:Pipe frosting on top of cooled cupcake.
Cut pretzels into shards and place on top of cupcakes. Drizzle chocolate and
caramel on top.