Birthday Gateau Cupcakes

Source: Cupcake Heaven

A chocolate gateau is so rich and creamy cupcakes, not required to use electric mixer just by hand will do.

For the cupcakes:

260g dark chocolate

170g butter, diced

200g caster sugar ( I used 100g )

3 large eggs

75g plain flour

2 tablespoons instant coffe dissolved in 2 tablespoons boiling water

Method:

Preheat the oven to 160C.  Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper baking cups.

Break the chocolate into pieces and put in a heatproof bowl with the butter.

Place the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water and heat gently until the chocolate and butter have melted.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool.  Stir in the sugar, then beat in the eggs, one at a time (can just use whisk to beat the eggs).

Sift the flour over the mixture, then fold in with wooden spatula.  Stir in the coffee.

Tip the mixture into the cups and bake for 20 - 30 minutes until firm on top, with a very slight wobble in the centre.

Allow to cool in the pan.

For the frosting:

200g dark chocolate, chopped

75g butter

Coloured sprinkles and silver sprinklers to decorate

Method:

Melt the chocolate with the butter in a double boilder or over a simmering pan of water, stirring to combine.

Remove from the heat once melted and thickened and allow to cool.

Spread the chocolate frosting over the cakes.

Decorate with silver candies and sprinkles.