9/24/10

chocolate ganache cupcakes


Does the Barefoot Contessa ever let you down? I think not. I remember back last winter when I was sick in bed, all day, watching horrible daytime TV. But thankfully the Food Network saved the day! The Barefoot Contessa was on twice during the day! Thank goodness--I was feeling better already! So if you're sick in bed, remember the Barefoot Contessa is on not once, but twice in one day; midday then at dinnertime (I think it's still that way). Nothing like watching Ina to cheer you right up. She had made these gorgeous chocolate ganche cupcakes that were topped with bright candied violets. Of course she breezed through them with ease; they came out perfect, and then she topped them with stunning purple candied violets. I saved this recipe to create when I found candied violets. Never found them, don't even know where to look unless you go to a big city? Have you ever seen candied violets? So very pretty, and make the simplest of things like cupcakes into stunning little works of art. How fabulous is that? (I just LOVE when she says that).


chocolate ganache cupcakes
by barefoot contessa
print recipe

1/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 (16-ounce) can chocolate syrup (recommended: Hershey's)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour

For the ganache:
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
Candied violets, for decoration, optional

Line muffin pans with 12 paper liners. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in the chocolate syrup and vanilla. Add the flour and mix until just combined. Don't overbeat, or the cupcakes will be tough.
Scoop the batter into the muffin cups and bake for 30 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Don't overbake! Let the cupcakes cool thoroughly in the pan.

For the ganache, cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally. Dip the top of each cupcake in the ganache. Decorate with candied violets, if desired. Do not refrigerate. I decorated with toffee bits and coarse colored sugar sprinkles.

56 comments:

  1. These look perfect. I don't like frosting but bring on the ganache!

    Happy Birthday:)

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  2. We have a TV here at work and I set it to the food channel all day - yes, I know Barefoot Contessa is on twice and I LOVE it!

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  3. Beautiful Dawn....You have me thinking of Valentine's Day already. What a great sweet for someone special. Instead of a purple violet, place a candy heart on top. Ideas, Ideas....

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  4. THey look perfect to bite into

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  5. her recipes are always amazing, as are her super expensive cake mixes!

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  6. That Ina, She is brilliant. Great cupcakes to celebrate with. Happy day!!

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  7. These are absolutely gorgeous!

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  8. Barefoot Contessa is amazing! These look great, like usual, Dawn. And Happy Birthday!

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  9. These are just gorgeous. The toppings make them extra pretty. I do love Ina. Simple, tasty dishes. These would be great to bring to a party. Thank you for the cookbook! I got the link yesterday and just started to look through it- so beautiful

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  10. we love ganache, although I doubt mine will come out as pretty as yours! beautiful!

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  11. I am the biggest Ina fan! And in my book she can do no wrong. I have yet to cook or bake up one of her recipes and not be thrilled with the results. Add to that your awesome SKILLZ and I'm not surprised these turned out amazing for you!

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  12. Ina always puts me in a good mood. I love watching her while I'm at the gym. she inspires me to work out so that I can go home and eat her food!

    Mmm ganache sounds lovely right now. Happy birthday chica!

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  13. I've made these twice before and topped them with candied vioets- they're so good and pretty.

    I also made the cupcake (minus the ganache) to make my Ferrero Rocher cupcakes- super good!

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  14. Oh good lord, girl, these are perfect. I don't know how you didn't eat all the ganache before they even made it to the cupcakes.
    I'm watching BC right now and never tire of her delicious recipes.
    Happiest Birthday to you. Bust out the prosecco and the disco ball.

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  15. What have you placed on top of your cupcakes? Seem delicious!

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  16. ganache... makes everything gorgeous

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  17. Very beautiful cupcakes. Happy Birthday!

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  18. Ganache = heaven! Love Ina and the cupcakes look divine. (I'd rather have toffee than a candied violet anyway.)

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  19. I love Ina and her cupcakes. Watching her cook is so soothing- she seems so unflappable! Your cupcakes are beautiful. :)

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  20. These are some major glam cupcakes. Pretty shiny wrapper, shiny chocolate surface, and even some pretty pink "jewelry'' on top. Can't be that.

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  21. I can live on ganache alone!!!!Woot!

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  22. Here, she's also on at around midnight, so great for bed-time viewing!

    Cakes look great. I've never made a ganache so I really should try.

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  23. Oh, those are just beautiful!! I love Barefoot Contessa, too. She's everything a chef should be.

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  24. I've never tried one of the Barefoot Contessa's recipes..this looks like a fabulous one to start with! :-)

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  25. Sigh...once again you make me want to have cupcakes as a meal replacement--dang good!

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  26. beautiful photographs…the cupcakes look amazing! i feel the same way about ina garten recipes…

    check this link out -http://www.amazon.com/India-Tree-Candied-Violet-Petals/dp/B0006GSXS4

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  27. Geez Louise Dawn, those are marvelous. (Ina says marvelous a lot.) I don't know too many people who don't love her. Even though I don't eat approximately half the things she makes, I have 4 of her cookbooks and I love every single one of them. And hers is the only show I can watch on the Food Network anymore. I think I've seen every episode. Now send me a cupcake.

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  28. I adore Ina too. These cupcakes are "just fabulous" indeed ; )

    -http://fortheluvoffood.blogspot.com/

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  29. No food network here, so now Ina shows :( Those cupcakes look gorgeous!!!

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  30. These are gorgeous as it is! Your food is always so pretty (: and I'm loving the ganache, I never thought about adding coffee, but I always thought it goes great with chocolate so thanks! Love the site!

    -Amalia


    http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com/

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  31. Those look so yummy and beautiful! I love trying new recipes.

    Stop by our blog and enter our giveaway!
    http://sunnydaystarrynight.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-first-giveaway.html

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  32. Simply gorgeous! And, no, Ina never steers us wrong. Neither do you. :-)

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  33. Definitely little works of art! I SO wish I had one right now - yum!

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  34. umm, wow. those are gorgeous, and what a great way to celebrate :) happy happy birthday!!

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  35. these look so pretty! ganache is so fun... and tasty... i love the word :)

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  36. did you see the last 30 rock where they talked about the barefoot contessa?!

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  37. i have to agree with you on that. Not once has the Barefoot Contessa let me down. She knows good food and knows how to make them right. :)

    I want me some cupcakes now.

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  38. Ganache is so decadent for cupcakes! And the cake itself - Hershey's syrup? Love it. I think these would put me in a chocolate coma.

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  39. these cupcakes are perfect - seriously - wow they look great.

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  40. I love the sound of the food channel, I need one in my house!

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  41. They look so pretty Dawn! I love them!

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  42. How delicious are these cupcakes? Chocolate and more chocolate...amazing. And, yes- it's unseasonably warm and humid here too!

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  43. Those are beautiful! They look absolutely professional. Bravo!

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  44. Gorgeous cupcakes! You definitely can't go wrong with the Barefoot Contessa or ganache!!

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  45. i absolutely love ganache :) these cupcakes look lovely!

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  46. Wow, those looks so beautiful. The ganache looks exquisite, so smooth!

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  47. I would give anything for one of those babies right now! Nicely done Dawn.

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  48. Those look delicous. I always love the way ganache looks on cupcakes, seemless.

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  49. These look really wonderful, but everything on your blog is made with care and looks perfect. Your food and recipes keep me coming back. I love to visit here. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  50. om my gah your food photography is beautiful. i absolutely adore food porn and am your newest follower :-)

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  51. I am not fond of frosting but ganache will always make me thirst for chocolates. LOl. I love cupcakes with ganache with some sprinkles on the top. It makes my mouth burst with chocolate and cream. Yummy! I wills surely try this one. Thanks for the recipe.

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  52. how fabulous is that, you ask? the most fabulous. and what's with this birthday stuff? sorry i missed it; hope it was swell. :)

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  53. I am so amaze with this yummy and indulging recipe of yours. These are perfect for my son’s birthday. Ganache cake or cupcakes will surely love by kids. Thanks for this recipe. Now I know what to do with his birthday cake.

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  54. they look scrumptious!!!

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