Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes

Posted on Saturday, 12th March 2011 by Grace

If you haven’t noticed, all I can think about lately is warmer weather. It’s surprising because as I write this I am facing the window and all I can see are giant falling snowflakes. But today is no different; I have summer on the brain. So what’s a girl to do? I whipped up a batch of Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes in honour of my favourite season, summer.

Growing up we didn’t often indulge in sweet baked treats like cupcakes or frosted cakes. On the rare occasion that my Mother would bake it was generally an almond or orange cake, Ricotta Cheesecake (not the kind of cheesecake with a cookie base and a fruit topping) or Italian cookies like Amaretti. And even then it was generally only for special holidays, Easter or Christmas.

The fridge was always stocked with fresh fruit and during the summer months we need only walk out the back door to the yard to pick fresh peaches, apricots, pears, apples or grapes from my father’s carefully tended to garden. I also remember our neighbour sharing her just picked cherries. What a life!

The one treat we always had on hand was ice cream. My mother would stock the freezer with vanilla, chocolate, neapolitan and strawberry ice cream alongside ice cream sandwiches, sundae cups, fudgesicles, popsicles and my father’s favourite, the nutty buddy (do you remember these?). With eight kids running around we went through a lot of ice cream!

I vividly remember one day when my mother came home from her weekly shop with a very special treat. We were unloading the groceries like we had so many times before. But on this particular day, buried deep within the brown paper grocery bag was a jar of chocolate fudge ice cream topping. I couldn’t believe my eyes! Enjoying ice cream was never the same again.

And here began my love for Hot Fudge Sundaes. OK, it’s truthfully more like an obsession with my favourite dessert consisting of vanilla ice cream, hot chocolate fudge sauce, whipped cream, chopped peanuts and fresh strawberries. In fact, when I was carrying both children, a colleague would bring me this very sundae from Dairy Queen on each and every workday. I can’t believe I didn’t gain 40 pounds!

I don’t believe I’ve ever met a person who doesn’t enjoy indulging in a Hot Fudge Sundae. And I think the same could be said for cupcakes, especially Chocolate Cupcakes. So I thought to myself, self, why not combine the two?

I started with a dark Chocolate Cupcake, in fact, a very moist chocolate cupcake with an intense chocolate flavour. I then topped with an extra creamy Fluffy Vanilla Frosting, a drizzling of rich Chocolate Ganache, and a sprinkling of Rainbow Nonpareils. And of course, the final tease, the sweet Maraschino Cherry.

Just looking at it makes you dream of summer. But it’s the tasting that sends you over the edge. Bring on the summer!

Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcakes
Fluffy Vanilla Frosting
Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate Cupcakes

(From )

Makes 12 cupcakes

141 g (1 1/8 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
1¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of (baking) soda
¼ teaspoon salt
30 g (¼ cup) unsweetened cocoa
1 large egg
100 g (½ cup) firmly packed golden yellow sugar (light brown sugar)
113 g (½ cup) caster (superfine granules) sugar
147 ml (5/8 cup/5 ounces) whole milk
78 ml (1/3 cup/3 ounces) strong brewed coffee or espresso
113.4 g (1 stick/½ cup) unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 180° C (350° F). Line 1 standard muffin tin with paper liners, set aside.
Using a fine mesh sieve, sift the flour, baking soda and salt into a medium-sized bowl. Sift the cocoa three times into a small bowl and then add to the flour mixture. Whisk until well combined.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the egg and both sugars. Whisk in the milk, espresso and melted butter.
Add the flour mixture in thirds, whisking just to combine after each addition (do not over-mix).
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them about three-quarters full.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the centre of the cupcakes comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in tin for 10 minutes. Using a small offset spatula or knife, carefully remove the cupcakes from the muffin tin, return to wire rack to cool completely.

Fluffy Vanilla Frosting

(Adapted from Martha Stewart Cupcakes)

255 g (2¼ sticks/1 cup + 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
375 g (3 cups) confectioners’ (icing) sugar, sifted
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes.
Reduce speed to medium. Add the confectioners’ sugar, ½ cup at-a-time, beating well after each addition. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl after each addition. After two additions increase speed to high and beat for 10 seconds to aerate frosting, then return to medium speed. This process should take about 4 minutes. Frosting should be pale and fluffy.
Add the vanilla, and beat until the frosting is smooth.
If not using frosting immediately, frosting can be refrigerated up to 10 days in an airtight container. Before using, bring to room temperature, and beat on low speed until smooth again, about 5 minutes.

Chocolate Ganache

85 g (3 ounces) good quality semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
79 ml (1/3 cup) heavy cream, 35%
½ tablespoon corn syrup

Place the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl.
In a small-sized saucepan, bring the heavy cream and corn syrup just to a simmer over medium-high heat; pour mixture over the chocolate. Let stand (do not stir) until chocolate begins to melt, about 2 minutes.
Using a spatula, stir the chocolate, beginning in the centre of the bowl and working your way to the edge, pulling in as much chocolate as possible, until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
If not using immediately, glaze can be refrigerated up to 5 days in an airtight container. Reheat before using.

Assembling Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes

Rainbow Nonpareils (coloured sprinkles)
Maraschino cherries (with stems if available – makes for better presentation)

Transfer frosting to a large pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip. Pipe frosting onto each cupcake, set aside.
Working with one frosted cupcake at-a-time, spoon ganache over frosting; sprinkle with nonpareils; top with a maraschino cherry. Repeat process with remaining cupcakes.
Enjoy!

Tags: after school treat, afternoon tea, cake, cakes, chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate cupcakes, chocolate dessert, cupcakes, dessert, desserts, food, food photography, food photos, frosting, ganache, gourmet cupcakes, icing, individual dessert, individual desserts, Martha Stewart recipes, mini cakes, quick desserts, small cakes
Posted in Baking & Pastry, Baking Mise en Place, Fillings, Frostings & Dessert Sauces, Pastry Doughs & Batter, Recipes

Comments (27)

27 Responses to “Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes”

Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
So cute and I bet they are delicious! I can’t wait for summer either!
Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
You are kidding me!! These look so good…almost too cute to eat. But then again the cuteness factor raises the eatability factor. Stunning pictures as always!!! ♥- Katrina
Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
As usual, fabulously styled, Gracie! I’d love one, please
Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
YUM!! My boyfriend was drolling over these and wants me to make these asap!
Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Gracie

those cupcakes look spectacular!! My girls would absolutely love these, what a wonderful treat they would make for any occasion!
My favorite sundae has always been hot fudge, it is just the best topping there is!

Thanks for such a tasty post
Dennis
Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
These are so awesome! Sound delicious and look so tempting!
Grace Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Dennis I could eat fudge topping with a spoon it’s so good! Matthew (my son) will often come home with special Sundaes for the three of us to enjoy. He loves ice cream, so does Liana and I am convinced they are obsessed with ice cream because I ate so much of it while I was pregnant.
Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
I could look at your photos all day! stunning as usual
Grace Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Thank you Katrina the pictures are easy when you start with cupcakes like this.
Grace Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Is it just me Lauren or is winter brutally long this year?
Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
These look so perfect! I love the cherries on top. Cherries are an underrated food group
Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
can I have some?
Grace Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
But of course Sunny, I’m pouring you a tall glass of milk, when will you be here?
Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
I love the story behind these! Ready for Cupcake Wars? I’d say yes!
Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
wow, your cupcakes look so delicious and perfect! Yumm!
Grace Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Wouldn’t that be fun.
Says:
March 12th, 2011 at 11:29 pm
These are seriously the most perfect cupcakes ever. They should be in a magazine or in a cookbook or on T.V. or something. I am so impressed!
Grace Says:
March 13th, 2011 at 9:49 am
Thank you Jenn – had fun with these.
Says:
March 13th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Hi Grace-These are GORGEOUS:)When are you opening your bakery. You are so talented. Congrats on Top 9 today darling. Happy Sunday!xx
Says:
March 13th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Amazing blog you have here .. All your hard work is def. paying off .. Your dessert looks so yummy and your photography is just breath-taking .. Thanks for sharing .. will def. follow I recently just started my blog hope you have some time and check it out.

xoxo
Says:
March 13th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
8 kids, you are one of 8 kids! Wow! I am having trouble handling my three, it’s always a surprise to hear of anyone having more. Your cupcakes are simply gorgeous, and I am still wildly jealous of your little cupcake stands, they are so adorable.
Ela Says:
March 13th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Always so amazing and inspiring!!! Beautiful photos! Can you teach us a little on photography. I like the way you photograph your creations. Thanks for the recipe too.
Grace Says:
March 13th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Thank you Ahline – just took a visit to your new site – Congratulations! I really enjoyed your videos, definitely going to try your salmon dish – looks amazing.
Says:
March 13th, 2011 at 11:17 pm
This post is so WOW!! Gorgeous little cupcakes & so memorable too! If my kids saw this right now I would never be able to get them to bed they would be jumping out of their skin
Says:
March 14th, 2011 at 12:11 am
These cupcakes look perfect …. I simpy have to try these!
Says:
March 14th, 2011 at 12:34 am
Your photos are jaw-dropping gorgeous. Totally beautiful cupcakes that I am looking forward to trying. I totally covet each and every one of your cake stands.
Says:
March 14th, 2011 at 1:03 am
These are the cutest things ever!